Eights 1930Eights 1930
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Oxford rowing men of the past have evidently taken heart from the fine performance which the University crew put up against Cambridge last month [although Cambridge won by 2 lengths] and there were more than a dozen old Blues on the towpath at the week-end, a greater number than for some years past, evidently seeking corroboration in the performance of the College crews that the tide of Oxford rowing has turned at last. Taking the crews as a whole, however, it is feared that they must have gone away disappointed. There are bright spots, it is true, and in somewhat unexpected places, but the average standard of the crews is not even up to that of recent years.At the same time there are three points to be brought forward in extenuation. The University crew was chosen from four colleges only, and thus the members have been unable to spread the improved style in which they rowed far through the college crews. Since the Boat Race was rowed late the members of the crew almost as soon as they left Putney had to start rowing again, and this has made the staleness for which "blues" are notorious in Eights Week even more marked than usual. Lastly, the conditions have, until the last weeek, been particularly unfavourable. Cold, adverse winds and a strong stream have made the training period comparable with that for Torpids. As a result the crews were sluggish and heavy until the wind suddenly altered in their favour and put them all off their feet. Furthermore the moral [sic] of the crews cannot have been improved by ill-informed criticism of the coaching and management of the University Crew which achieved a good deal of publicity. Indeed, Oxford appears to be the one place where the fine achievement of both coaches and members of the University Crew against considerable odds and the fact that once more representative Oxford rowing has proved itself worthy of past traditions seems to be insufficiently recognized. By the time Henley comes round I believe that all this will be changed. Warmer weather should help the crews to attain greater life and the Blues should by then have got over their staleness.
The real problem is whether University College can go Head. They start fourth and there is no question that Tinné, who has seen them up so far in the last two years, will not be happy until he gets them back to the place to which his uncle took them in 1914. It may be taken that they are the best crew on the river, and they have worked hard. At the same time there has been a hint of ponderosity about them which, with all their roughness, they did not have last year and which can be traced to recent acquaintance with the Putney course on the part of half of the crew. All the same their work is together, they are longer than most crews, and keep their pace better over the second half of the course, so that it will be surprising if they do not make three bumps in the six nights at their disposal.
Brasenose start Head and they are not likely to prove easy victims for University. It must not be forgotten that the Brasenose four — Johnstone, Graham, Poole, and Balding — very clearly showed last November in the Coxswainless Fours that University was not the only college responsible for the renaissance of Oxford rowing. These men are all in the Brasenose Eight, and if Johnstone has lost some of the length he gained in the University crew, a tendency towards shortness is not always such a bad thing over a mile course as long as the crew has plenty of life, and life this one possesses. Moreover, Brasenose have the benefit of Mr. Haig-Thomas's advice, and it is only to be expected that they should acquire something of the virtue of Third Trinity [Cambridge] as a result. The worst point of the Brasenose crew is a tendency to hurry the finish. Barring accidents it seems fairly certain that the first duel between them and University will be on Saturday, and it should be well worth watching. Should University be successful the starting pace of Brasenose renders a re-bump far more probable next week than is usually the case in the first division.
New College start second, and while they are a nice enough looking crew when paddling, Godber, the old Blue, who is stroking them, cannot drive them along at anything like a racing stroke when rowing. Indeed, they can scarcely expect to keep their place. Macdonald-Smith is rowing well enough at Six, but a rather doubtful expedient has been adopted by introducing a complete novice in the shape of a very powerful Rugby footballer at Four. His timekeeping is so indifferent that it really does not give Stroke much of a chance.
Exeter, who lie third, have renounced the style of Mr. Fairbairn, by which they attained their present position, for something more orthodox, but whether it is due to the great difficulty of rowing well in the orthodox manner or merely the absence of good men the crew has not the pace it had in the last two years.
Magdalen have Ingles, the old Blue, at Five, but they are short, and it seems as if they are destined to go even lower than fifth after having remained in the first three, with the exception of 1914, since the middle of the eighties.
Christ Church start sixth. They should have been very good; practically all the men rowed in their school eights. Rathbone, the brother of the old Blue, is a Trial Eights man. Lord Forrester is a very powerful, if rough, oarsman, and in Edwards at Five and Clive at Six they have the best oarsmen in the University and the most promising. It needs only two such men rowing together in a college crew with others round them such as they have capable of profiting by their example to start of school of first-class heavy-weights. Unfortunately these two are more obviously suffering from too much rowing at present than the Brasenose or University Blues, and unless Christ Church develop during the races pace which they have not got now, they will be hard put to it to go higher than third. It is to be regretted that they are not going to Henley. Edwards is competing in the Diamonds and Clive, it is understood, is likely to row for the Vikings, where he will have an opportunity of learning a great deal — for Christ Church are just the type of crew to have done really well there.
As a contrast Pembroke, who start two behind Christ Church, are the crew who have made the very best of their opportunities. Coached by Mr. Pasolt [Pazolt], whose reputation for producing comparatively fast crews from the lightest material, and with a restricted choice at Beaumont, is second to none, it would be surprising if they did not improve their position. There is no man in the crew with any considerable pretensions as yet to oarsmanship, though Three, who has only just started rowing, merits a protracted trial next November. But the crew as a whole has just that stride and liveliness which served University in good stead last summer. They are truly together, can row the fastest stroke of any crew on the river, and if some of the other colleges would take a lesson in style from this Pembroke crew they would benefit thereby.
Balliol are stroked by Waterhouse, who has lost none of his form, although he is in the stern of the boat, and he has succeeded in making the men behind him copy him, but the crew as a whole rather lack life.
The most noteworthy of the other crews are Queen's, who should make a number of bumps, for Dr. Mallam has taught them how to use their legs, and there is no harder working crew on the river. There are also St. Catherine's and St. Edmund Hall, in both of which clubs a good rowing tradition has grown up in the past five years; Jesus, who are coached by J. du B. Lance, late captain of their sister college at Cambridge [but see correction at end of Fridays' report], and Hertford. It cannot be claimed, however, that the standard of the lower colleges and the second crews is what it should be.
The order of rowing will be :— [division times given as 3, 4, 5 and 6pm]
A Record EntryUniversity and the Headship
That there is no lack of oarsmen at Oxford now is proved by the fact that there have never before been so many crews entered for the Eights, which begin to-day.
Taken as a whole the standard is well up to, if not above, the average, but that is due more to the comparative excellence of the second-class colleges than to that of those in the first class. By first-class colleges I mean those which are accustomed to producing Blues and trial eightsmen, and by second class those to whom these phenomena come but rarely.
The reason why the top crews lack brilliance this year is undoubtedly due to the lateness of the date on which the Boat Race was rowed, for there was a very short interval for rest for those who had raced for Oxford before they had once more to begin practice in their college crews. With two exceptions, H. R. A. Edwards and N. K. Hutton, all of them appear to be rather stale, and this naturally detracts from the life and drive of the crews in which they row. Beyond this fact, weather conditions have been so bad than an easy settling down into uniformity has been impossible; in the last three weeks there has been scarcely one calm day.
The great question that the races will solve is that of the headship of the river. Brasenose carried off the chief honours two years ago when they bumped Christ Church. Last year their position was easily held, for the only crew which could possibly have bumped them was University, and they started too low down on the river. This year University start fourth, so that they have only to dispose of a couple of crews to-night and to-morrow to get an opportunity of going head on Saturday.
Brasenose Improve
Brasenose are not likely to be caught napping. Their four stern oars are powerful and experienced, and although their four bow oars are considered by many to be on the weak side, I personally think that they are underrated. C. M. Johnston, the Oxford four, is stroke, Alastair Graham, the stroke of last year, is at seven, and this year two spare men, Poole and Balding, are at six and five. The crew have also had the advantage of being coached by Mr. P. Haigh-Thomas, the Light Blue coach.
Earlier in practice it appeared that their coach was going to be more successful in teaching them the shortcomings of this year's Cambridge crew, but in the last ten days they have come on very considerably. Their work is still on the short side, but they are now learning to be quick into the water, and to row the fast stroke which is essential if they are to hold their position over the short course which the head boat has to row.
I do not think that they are seated in the best possible order. Johnston is far and away the strongest, if not the heaviest, oarsman in the boat, and I feel that his power is largely wasted in leading the crew. Graham is, I think, a better stroke than he is a seven, and I would rather have seen Johnston behind him, at six, with Poole at seven, where he rowed last year at Henley.
University's Fast Crew
University have, until the last few days, been a disappointing crew. They are powerful, indeed, with four Blues and two trial eights men in the crew, but until the last few days they were rowing more like a university crew in the early stages of practice with a twenty-minute course weeks ahead of them, rather than a college crew who would have to dash for 5½ minutes within a few days' time.
Dr. P. O. Mallam was responsible for their training at first, but Mr. Rayner Wood, who did them so well last year, has coached them for the last ten days. At the beginning of this week they were making great efforts to raise the rate of their stroke, and on Monday did a row to the Free Water Stone which stamped them as the fastest crew on the river. At the same time, it is generally held that a crew must be quite 12sec faster over the course if it is to make sure of bumping a head boat, and their capacity to bump B.N.C. depends very largely on the improvement they make in fast starting on the first two nights' racing. They ought not to have any difficulty in disposing of New College and Exeter.
New College, who have George Godber at stroke and Macdonald-Smith at six, paddle in taking style — they have been coached by Dr. G. C. Bourne — but they are ponderous when rowing, and quite unable to row a fast stroke. Exeter, who have returned to the orthodox fold and have discarded swivel rowlocks, are rather short in the water. They changed their five as late as last Saturday, and though improvement followed, Mr. F. S. Lowe has not yet been able to get a racing stroke out of them.
Merton Disappointing
The most important crew, after B.N.C. and University, is undoubtedly Christ Church. They have a powerful nucleus in Edwards and Clive, at five and six. Rigged after the fashion of Colonel W. A. L. Fletcher's crew of 1906, with short oars and stopped two inches back from their work, they were for a time unaccountably sluggish, but in the last few days Mr. Harold Barker has quickly brought them up to racing pitch, as he has so often done before. They should catch Magdalen to-night, and thereafter they should snap up the crumbs thrown to them by University.
Merton are rather disappointing, and I do not see how they can hold the position to which they have clung for so many years by the varnish on their rudder, for Pembroke, who start behind them, look like continuing their success of last year. Coached by Mr. Pagolt [Pazolt], in practice they proved themselves as fast as any crew on the river save University. They have unearthed a stroke in Mellor who, despite his stature, gives them an excellent rhythm and they move their boat with a real stride.
Behind them come Wadham, a crew of the rough and ready type. Coached by Mr. Graham Browne, the Principal of Wycliffe Hall, they can row a racing stroke and are really fast for a distance, at any rate. A little lower down Lincoln, in spite of the fact that their boat was badly damaged on Monday, have learned a great deal from Mr. A. M. Hankin, the Oxford stroke of 1927, and show signs of good pace. Farther down still, St. Catherine's, St. Edmund Hall, Jesus, and the new hall, St. Peter's, ought to do really well. Balliol, stroked by M. Waterhouse, are disappointing in pace, and though they ought to improve their position are not likely to do so well as their style would lead one to expect.
[article concludes with the Thursday starting order]
First Day's ResultsThe Summer Eights were begun at Oxford yesterday. The weather was hardly like summer, for a keen north-easterly wind was blowing during the early part of the afternoon, and while the races of the Second Division were being rowed rain fell in torrents. There were further showers, but during the later rowing the wind dropped and it became much warmer.
The entry of 47 crews was the largest that has ever been. The new-comers were St. Peter's Hall, who met with such a remarkable run of successes in the Torpids, St. Catherine's II, Magdalen III, Christ Church III, and University College III. New College, on the other hand, had withdrawn their third crew.
There was no change at the head of the river, for Brasenose kept their position without difficulty. New College gained a little, but Brasenose always rowed well within themselves and led home a good length ahead. As was expected University College with four Blues in the crew proved too good for Exeter, and New College will have to do well to hold their place to-day, for the University College Eight is powerful and fast as well. Magdalen had a bad afternoon, for their first two crews both lost their places, No. 1 to Christ Church and No. 2 to Lincoln. Pembroke showed a capital turn of speed in catching Merton at the Ferry and may still further improve their position.
The Fourth Division started first but the racing was uninteresting. Three bumps were made, all below the Gut. St. John's II got to the head of the Division, showing such energy in making the bump that they smashed the Queen's rudder. Later they made a bump in the Third Division, catching Keble II, and are thus firmly established there. St. Peter's Hall, who made six bumps in last term's Torpid races, continued to win without much effort, bumping Jesus II early in the race.
Things were no more exciting in the Third Division, for although three bumps were made there was not a single close finish.
Queen's and Oriel were the only crews to change places in the Second Division, Oriel going up, but Corpus made a good race of it against Wadham II, who only escaped by being able to last better.
Fourth Division. Order of Starting.— Queen's II, St. John's II, Corpus II, Hertford II, Oriel III, Jesus II, St. Peter's Hall, St. Catherine's II, Magdalen III, Christ Church III, and University College III. Queen's II were soon in trouble. St. John's gained rapidly from the start and, getting well up at the Corner, made a bump before reaching the Free Ferry. Corpus II lost some ground to Hertford II, who were within a length along the Green Bank, but they came away again after the Crossing, and finished two lengths ahead. Oriel III followed a long way behind and were holding their own against Jesus II when St. Peter's Hall bumped Jesus II near the Launch Works, St. Catherine's II paddled up, Magdalen III being bumped by Christ Church III before reaching the Weirs bridge.
Third Division. Order of Starting.— Hertford, Worcester II, Balliol II, Brasenose II, Oriel II, St. Edmund Hall, University College II, Lincoln II, Pembroke II, Trinity II, Exeter II, Keble II, and St. John's II. Worcester II made a little ground on Hertford, but Hertford were never fully extended, and came through with over a length's lead. Balliol in turn gained on Worcester, and after getting within a length a Long Bridges finished half a length behind with Brasenose following two lengths behind. Oriel II and St. Edmund Hall had a hard tussle in Iffley Reach, but St. Edmund Hall came up fast after passing the Free Ferry, and made a bump near the Free Water Stone. A wide gap separated University College II from Lincoln II, who were some lengths ahead of Pembroke II. Trinity II were bumped by Exeter II at the top of Iffley Reach, and St. John's II firmly established themselves in the Third Division by bumping Keble II near the Weirs Bridge.
Second Division. Order of Starting.— Balliol, Worcester, Trinity, St. Catherine's, Queen's, Oriel, Jesus, New College II, Keble, Wadham II, Corpus, Christ Church II, and Hertford. There was an interesting race between Balliol and Worcester. Worcester made good headway up Iffley Reach and at the Boat House, where Balliol were little more than a quarter of a length ahead, it looked as if Worcester might make a bump, but Balliol seemed to have a lot in hand as they more than held their own from that point and passed the post a length ahead. Trinity at one time gained considerably on Worcester but fell away again, there being a length and a half between the two boats at the finish. St. Catherine's followed a similar distance in the rear of Trinity. Queen's and Oriel had a hard struggle and coming out of the Gut Oriel were close up. Queen's, however, spurted again and again but without success, for Oriel made a bump after a keen struggle near the New Cut. Jesus kept ahead of New College II without great difficulty and there was a good gap between New College II and Keble, although at one time Keble were within a length. Keble finished a length and a half in front of Wadham II, who had to go all out to escape Corpus, who were only half a length behind at the finish.
First Division. Order of Starting.— Brasenose, New College, Exeter, University, Magdalen, Christ Church, Merton, Pembroke, Wadham, St. John's, Magdalen II, Lincoln, and Balliol. Brasenose kept their place at the Head of the River without much difficulty and never had to extend themselves. New College gained ground, but Brasenose finished strongly and had more than a length to spare at the winning-post. Exeter lost ground to University College at the start, but they made a good effort to escape disaster and reached the Gut before being bumped. Magdalen, too, were soon being overhauled by Christ Church, but they struggled on to Long Bridges, where Christ Church made a bump. Merton failed to hold Pembroke, a fast crew, who made a bump at the Free Ferry. A wide gap separated Wadham from St. John's, but Magdalen II failed to withstand the challenge of Lincoln at the Free Ferry and were bumped near the Freewater Stone.
The Jesus Eight was coached by the Rev. S.J. Selwyn, and Mr. Lance was on the towpath one day only.
Eleven BumpsA record number of crews, 47, have entered for the Oxford Summer Eights, which commenced yesterday.
There were three bumps in the Fourth Division, which opened the programme. St. John's II caught Queen's II at the Ferry. St. Peter's Hall bumped Jesus II at Salter's launch works, and Christchurch III overtook Magdalen III before Weirs bridge had been reached.
There were also three bumps in the Third Division. St. Edmund Hall overtook Oriel II in the Gut, Exeter II caught Trinity II at the Ferry, and St. John's II, going up a second time, bumped Keble II at Weir's bridge.
There was only one bump in the Second Division, Oriel catching Queen's at the New Cut.
The racing in the First Division was much more exciting, and there were four bumps. Brasenose easily held their own at the head of the river, keeping well away from New College, but Exeter succumbed to University in the Gut. Christ Church caught Magdalen at the Long Bridges, Pembroke overtook Merton at the Ferry, and Lincoln bumped Magdalen II at the Free Water stone. The bumps during the day numbered eleven.
The day's bumps are indicated by brackets in the separate divisions as follows: [...]
Six Bumps in the First DivisionThe weather yesterday made amends for its shortcomings on the opening day for the summer Eights in Oxford, and there was brilliant sunshine. A stiff north-easterly wind was blowing and caused some inconvenience, although after the New Cut was passed the shelter of the barges afforded some protection. The attendance was much greater than on the previous day.
Much interest was taken in the races of the First Division, but the spectators above the Cherwell saw little of the excitement, for six bumps were made and the only crew to row up was the head boat, Brasenose. Still they had by no means an easy task in keeping their position, as New College for a time gave them considerable cause for anxiety. New College and University College had a fine race, as far as it went, with only about half a length between them to the Gut. New College seemed to be doomed to fall soon, but Godber rallied his crew well and they struggled on to the Corpus barge before University College caught them. Whether University College can repeat their performance to-day is doubted by many, but there can be no questions that they will have a fine struggle with Brasenose. The statement that Christ Church were a fast crew was justified by the ease with which they overhauled Exeter, who were bumped before reaching the Gut. Magdalen were again down on their luck, for both their first two crews fell, No. 1 to Pembroke and No. 2 to Balliol. Merton, who are anything but a good crew, made a moderate show against Wadham, but Lincoln caused surprise by the ease with which they accounted for St. John's in Iffley Reach.
The Second Division, which was uninteresting on Thursday, provided a couple of bumps and one rather remarkable reversal of form in the defeat of Corpus by Christ Church II, which was said to have been caused by one of the oarsmen's having a mishap to his slide. St. Catherine's struggled hard to escape Oriel, who have a better crew than usual and made a bump just after passing the Boat House. They will, however, have a harder task to-day with Trinity in front of them. Worcester made much headway on the leading boat of the division, Balliol, but it seemed as if Balliol were not going all out in view of their race with Magdalen II in the First Division, and their tactics were justified as they succeeded in getting their bump later in the First Division, and thus escaping the double row to-day.
Fourth Division. Order of Starting.— Keble II, Queen's II, Corpus II, Hertford II, Oriel III, St. Peter's Hall, Jesus II, St. Catherine's II, Christ Church III, Magdalen III, University College III. Keble II paddled up at the head of the Division. Queen's were caught by Corpus II, who after a short struggle caught them just as the boats were leaving the Gut. Hertford II also had an easy journey, as St. Peter's Hall early bumped Oriel III near the Weir's Bridge. St. Catherine's II were faster than Jesus II but did not get near enough to cause them any anxiety and Jesus II finished a length ahead. Three lengths separated St. Catherine's II from Christ Church III, who were a similar distance in front of Magdalen III, while University College III rowed up several lengths behind.
Third Division. Order of Starting.— Hertford, Worcester II, Balliol II, Brasenose II, St. Edmund Hall, Oriel II, University College II, Lincoln II, Pembroke II, Exeter II, Trinity II, St. John's II, and Keble II. Hertford came up alone, Worcester II, who followed them, unfortunately fouled their punt at the start and fell easy victims to Balliol II. Brasenose II failed to make headway against St. Edmund Hall, who went off at great pace and bumped them before reaching the Free Ferry. University College II soon began to gain on Oriel II and were well up at the Launch Works. A determined spurt by Oriel II gained some ground, but they were unable to keep up the effort and were bumped before getting through the Gut. Lincoln II paddled up. Pembroke II were in trouble from the start and fell to Exeter II near the Launch Works. There was a more prolonged struggle between Trinity II and St. John's II, but St. John's came up strongly along the Green Bank and made a bump near the Red Post.
Second Division. Order of Starting.— Balliol, Worcester, Trinity, St. Catherine's, Oriel, Queen's, Jesus, New College II, Keble, Wadham II, Corpus, Christ Church II, and Hertford. Balliol finished head of the division without great difficulty, and were well away from Worcester at the Boat House. Worcester gained ground along the Wall, and at one time got within half-a-length, but Balliol were not hard pressed, and they were still fully half a length ahead at the finish. Trinity followed two lengths behind Worcester, and St. Catherine's were bumped by Oriel at the Boat House. Jesus gained on Queen's, but never got close enough to cause them much anxiety, a length separating them at the finish. New College II, Keble, and Wadham followed at long intervals, but Corpus for some reason entirely failed to reproduce their form of the previous afternoon, and fell victims to Christ Church II near the Weir's Bridge.
First Division. Order of Starting.— Brasenose, New College, University, Exeter, Christ Church, Magdalen, Pembroke, Merton, Wadham, St. John's, Lincoln, Magdalen II, Balliol. There was a fine race between the three leading boats. New College gained on Brasenose at the start of the race, while University College had drawn well up to New College. As the boats came out of the Gut Brasenose were leading New College by a length at the Crossing, but New College were steadily losing to University College and, though they made a most determined effort they finally were bumped near the Corpus barge. Christ Church showed great pace in their race with Exeter and bumped them at the Free Ferry, but Pembroke had to go as far as the Red Post before catching Magdalen. Merton were bumped by Wadham before coming out of the Gut. Lincoln bumped St. John's at the Free Ferry and a prolonged struggle between Magdalen II and Balliol ended in Magdalen II being bumped opposite their college barge.
Six Bumps in the First DivisionThere were no fewer than six bumps in the First Division of Oxford Summer Eights which were continued yesterday.
University went as far as Corpus barge before catching New College, Christ Church ran into Exeter at the Ferry, Pembroke caught Magdalen at the Red Post, Wadham bumped Merton in the Gut, Lincoln stopped St. John's at the Ferry, and Balliol overtook Magdalen II at the Magdalen barge.
In the Second Division there were two bumps, Oriel catching St. Catherine's at the boathouse and Christ Church II running into Corpus at the Weirs bridge.
The day's bumps are indicated by brackets in the appended tables: [...]
Brasenose still Head of the RiverThe weather was much more favourable for the third day's racing in the Oxford Eights on Saturday than it had promised early in the morning, for it rained steadily then, but it took a turn for the better after luncheon, and the rain gave way to sunshine. The wind died down and the crews rowed up in a dead calm.
There was a large crowd present at the racing in the First Division in the anticipation of an exciting struggle between Brasenose, the head crew, and University College, who had four Blues and two Trial Eights men in their crew. It was not for lack of trying that University did not succeed. C. F. Martineau, the Oxford University stroke, spurted again and again, but the Brasenose stroke, C. M. Johnston, was equal to the occasion, and Brasenose, who finished in dashing style, passed the post about a length in front. Unless there is a big reversal of form after the week-end there seems to be little chance of Brasenose's being deposed from the head.
The race between New College and Christ Church also hardly turned out as many people expected. Christ Church had certainly done well in the previous races, but they did not better than University on Saturday, and finished a length behind New College. Below them, all but the sandwich boat changed places, Pembroke, Wadham, Lincoln, and Balliol all making bumps.
Strange things happened in the other Divisions. In the Second St. Catherine's lost a place to Queen's through the vagaries of their coxswain, who allowed himself to be blocked in by Magdalen II and Worcester, who lay to in the stream. Oriel II lost a place to Lincoln II through one of their crew catching a crab at the start and Corpus recovered the place they lost to Christ Church II the previous afternoon when the stroke of the Christ Church crew damaged his slide soon after the start. There were 14 bumps made during the afternoon. St. John's II have the best record with four to their credit, which in a measure atones for the disasters that have overtaken their first crew, who have gone down twice. St. Peter's Hall, Pembroke, Lincoln, Oriel, and St. Edmund Hall all made another bump, but on the other hand both the Magdalen crews, Merton, and Oriel II again went down a place.
Fourth Division. Order of Starting.— Keble II, Corpus II, Queen's II, Hertford II, St. Peter's Hall, Oriel III, Jesus II, St. Catherine's II, Christ Church III, Magdalen III, University College III. Keble soon lost ground to Corpus II, who were well on to them at the Ferry. Passing the Free Water Stone Corpus made a determined effort and Keble were bumped on reaching the Green Bank. Queen's II lost some ground to Hertford II who were being hotly pursued by St. Peter's Hall from the start, and as St. Peter's Hall continued to make good headway they made a bump just after passing the Weir's Bridge. There was an exciting race between Oriel III, Jesus II, and St. Catherine's II along the Green Bank. It looked as if Jesus would catch Oriel, but after passing Saunders Bridge St. Catherine's, who had been pressing all the way, bumped them at the Cherwell.
Third Division. Order of Starting.— Hertford, Balliol II, Worcester II, St. Edmund Hall, Brasenose II, University College II, Oriel II, Lincoln II, Exeter II, Pembroke II, St. John's II, Trinity II, Corpus II. Hertford held their own against Balliol II without much difficulty, and reached the post fully a length ahead. Balliol were hard pressed in the Gut by Worcester II, but Worcester fell away again, and St. Edmund's Hall, coming up, bumped them on getting out of the Gut. The two boats interfered with Brasenose II, who had University College II close behind and were bumped. Oriel II had bad luck as one of the crew caught a crab when the gun fired, and before they could get going again they were bumped by Lincoln II. Exeter paddled through, Pembroke II, being bumped by St. John's II near the Weir's Bridge, and a good race between Trinity and Corpus ended as Trinity passed the post three-quarters of a length ahead.
Second Division. Order of Starting.— Magdalen II, Worcester, Trinity, Oriel, St. Catherine's, Queen's, Jesus, New College II, Keble, Wadham II, Christ Church II, Corpus, Hertford. Worcester began to gain on Magdalen II immediately after the start. On coming out of the Gut they made a spurt and bumped them under the Willows. A good race followed between Trinity and Oriel. Oriel gained a lot of ground up to the Cherwell, but from there Trinity held their own and finished a quarter of a length ahead. St. Catherine's lost ground to Queen's, and as they came up the Green Bank the cox tried to go outside the Worcester boat, which was laying-to, but was blocked and failed, and Queen's passed them. Jesus took a wide course and, on nearing the Cherwell, were hard pressed by New College II, but they held on and passed the post a quarter of a length ahead. Keble at one time gained on New College II but fell away, and two lengths separated them at the finish, and there was a length between Keble and Wadham II. Corpus recovered the place they lost to Christ Church II on Friday and bumped them near the Launch Works.
First Division. Order of Starting.— Brasenose, University College, New College, Christ Church, Exeter, Pembroke, Magdalen, Wadham, Merton, Lincoln, St. John's, Balliol, Worcester. University gained ground in Iffley Reach but Brasenose were rowing well within themselves and at Long Bridges were a long way ahead. University came under the Green Bank, and there was a length between the boats as they passed the Boat House. University made another spurt but Brasenose promptly replied and passed the post with nearly a length in hand. Christ Church gained on New College at the start of the race, but after passing Saunders Bridge, where a length separated the two boats, Christ Church could get no nearer, and New College finished that distance ahead. Pembroke quickly overhauled Exeter, making their bump near the Ferry. Magdalen fell another place, being bumped by Wadham at the Willows. Merton fell to Lincoln before reaching the Free Ferry, while Balliol caught St. John's just before the Free Water Stone.
Fourteen BumpsUniversity fail to catch B.N.C.
The Summer Eights at Oxford were continued on Saturday. After a dismal morning the weather cleared, and was brilliantly fine in the latter part of the afternoon.
In anticipation of a keen struggle between the two head boats, B.N.C. and University College, the attendance was very large. As expected, Brasenose managed to keep away from their pursuers, despite the fact that the latter have four Blues rowing, and the nearest University College got to them was a length, along the Willows.
There was an unusual incident in Division II. For some reason the St. Catherine's cox. endeavoured to go outside Worcester, who had made bump and had stopped. In this he failed, and his boat stopped, with the result that Queen's rowed past them, and so were awarded a bump.
Altogether there were fourteen bumps, bringing the three days' total to forty.
In the First Division, Pembroke continued their victorious career and caught Exeter near the Ferry. Magdalen fell for the third time in succession, being bumped by Wadham at the Bridges. Lincoln caught Merton at the Free Water Stone, and St. John's were stopped by Balliol at the Ferry.
Bumps in the Second Division numbered three. Worcester went up into the First Division by overhauling Magdalen II along the Willows. Then came the bump by Queen's already referred to, and Corpus caught Christ Church II near the Launch Works.
There were four bumps in the Third Division. St. Edmund Hall, making their third bump, caught Worcester II at the Long Bridges. Brasenose II were close behind at the time, and being unable to steer clear, lost a place to University II. A "crab" at the start cost Oriel II the race against Lincoln II. St. John's II made their fourth bump by catching Pembroke II at the Weirs Bridge.
In the Fourth Division, Corpus II overtook Keble II in the Gut, and so pass into the Third Division. St. Peter's Hall again went up, bumping Hertford II at the Weirs Bridge, and Jesus II succumbed to St. Catherine's II at the Cherwell.
Bumps, denoted by brackets, were: [...]
University College just FailThere was plenty of excitement in the races in the First Division of the Oxford Summer Eights yesterday. There were several keen struggles. The interest, of course, was chiefly in the race for the Head of the River between Brasenose and University College, and at half the distance it would have been difficult to say what the result would be. University College were only a quarter of a length behind at that point, but Brasenose held them for the next quarter of a mile, and then the efforts of University College began to tell on one or two members of the crew, who began to show the effects of the hard race. Brasenose, who struggled hard to the end, finished half a length ahead.
The race between New College and Christ Church was similar, Christ Church got to within a quarter of a length at the Willows. New College, however, maintained their lead and finished with a length in hand. Pembroke were faster than Christ Church, but although they made a fine effort Christ Church had half a length to spare at the finish. Exeter checked the upward career of Wadham, and for the first time Magdalen rowed through safely. Merton fell still farther, being bumped by Balliol at the Free Water Stone, and Worcester came well into the First Division by bumping St. John's early.
Those who came to watch the races in the Second Division had a thorough drenching. Heavy thunder clouds had been gathering all the afternoon, and just as the crews were finishing the course there was a heavy downpour of rain. There was nothing exciting about the racing, the only close finish being that between Queen's and St. Catherine's. A bit of bad luck had befallen St. Catherine's on Saturday, and they made a gallant but ineffectual effort to regain their place. Queen's, however, hung on till the finish, where they had half a length to spare. Magdalen II met with another reverse, although this time they got as far as the Willows before Trinity caught them, and Hertford, after rowing through three times, worked their way well out of the Third Division by bumping Christ Church II at the Free Ferry.
In the Third Division there was little interest up at the barges, for there was not a close finish and all the three bumps made were below the Willows. St. Edmund Hall continued their victorious progress and made their fourth bump at the expense of Balliol II. University College II at one time looked like catching Worcester II, but their cox was hampered by a bump which had been made in front of them and they ran into the bank. They were still able to get going again. Brasenose II had another reverse, as Lincoln II bumped them.
Fourth Division. Order of Starting.— Corpus II, Keble II, Queen's II, St. Peter's Hall, Hertford II, Oriel III, St. Catherine's II, Jesus II, Christ Church III, Magdalen III, University College III. Corpus II retained their position at the head of the Division, as Keble II were bumped by Queen's II before reaching the Gut. St. Peter's Hall gained rapidly on Queen's from the start, but just as there seemed every chance of their making a bump one of the Keble crew caught a crab and the boat ran into the bank, which enabled Queen's to gain a place by rowing past them. St. Peter's Hall then started to overhaul Corpus, but although they gained a lot their efforts were unsuccessful, and Corpus passed the post a length and a half ahead. Hertford II rowed up, and Oriel III held their own against St. Catherine's II after a hard race. Coming out of the Gut St. Catherine's were within half a length of Oriel. A quarter of a length separated them at the Boat House, and they further reduced the gap along the Wall, where they almost overlapped, but Oriel struggled on and got home with a few feet to spare. Jesus II finished a length behind St. Catherine's, while Christ Church III, Magdalen II, and University College III came up at wide intervals.
Third Division. Order of Starting.— Hertford, Balliol II, St. Edmund Hall, Worcester II, University College II, Brasenose II, Lincoln II, Oriel II, Exeter II, St. John's II, Pembroke II, Trinity II, and Corpus II. Hertford paddled through. Balliol II were being overtaken by St. Edmund Hall all the way up Iffley Reach, and were finally bumped just before coming into the Gut. University College II gained on Worcester II, and looked like bumping them, but their cox failed to clear the St. Edmund Hall boat and they fouled the bank. They got away again, but failed to recover the lost ground and Worcester reached the post a length and a half ahead. Brasenose II were hard pressed by Lincoln II on coming into the Gut and were bumped at the Long Bridges. Oriel II finished a length and a half ahead of Exeter II, who were twice that distance in front of St. John's II, while Pembroke II were bumped by Trinity II at the Long Bridges.
Second Division. Order of Starting.— Worcester, Magdalen II, Trinity, Oriel, Queen's, St. Catherine's, Jesus, New College II, Keble, Wadham II, Corpus, Christ Church II, Hertford. Worcester, who had bumped Magdalen II on Saturday, paddled up. Magdalen II were bumped by Trinity after a hard struggle along the Green Bank. Oriel never had to extend themselves in their race with Queen's and finished quite three lengths ahead. St. Catherine's, who had lost a place to Queen's on Saturday through going into the bank, made a great effort to win back their position. Coming out of the Gut they were a length behind, and at the Cherwell had reduced the lead of Queen's to half a length. Queen's, however, kept their lead from that point and finished that distance ahead. St. Catherine's had in the meantime drawn right away from Jesus, who followed four lengths behind. New College II gained a length on Jesus before coming into the Gut and further reduced the deficit, but Jesus finished strongly and passed the post three-quarters of a length ahead. It was much the same thing with New College II and Keble. New College II stayed better and were leading by the same distance at the finish. Wadham II gained a lot on Keble and finished within a length, but Corpus failed to make any impression on Wadham, who kept their lead from start to finish. Christ Church II were bumped by Hertford at the Free Ferry.
First Division. Order of Starting.— Brasenose, University College, New College, Christ Church, Pembroke, Exeter, Wadham, Magdalen, Lincoln, Merton, Balliol, St. John's, Worcester. Another fine race was witnessed for the Head of the River. Although Brasenose rowed the faster stroke, University College gained ground all up Iffley Reach and coming out of the Gut they were less than a length behind. They then gained more along the Green Bank, and with only a quarter of a length between them at the Willows there was every prospect of an exciting finish, but University College were unable to maintain the pressure, and Brasenose drew away again along the Wall and passed the post half a length ahead. Christ Church had the pace of New College at the start and were within a quarter of a length at the Willows. New College, however, improved as they went on, and eventually passed the post a length ahead. Christ Church in turn were hard pressed by Pembroke and only got home by half a length. Wadham made a big effort to overhaul Exeter and at the Willows were a bare quarter of a length behind. Exeter, however, finished strongly and succeeded in reaching the post safely. Magdalen went right away from Lincoln, but Merton were overtaken by Balliol at the Free Water Stone, and Worcester overtook St. John's at the Ferry.
Brasenose hard pressed by UniversityRacing in the Summer Eights was resumed at Oxford yesterday, when there were eight bumps.
Only one occurred in the Fourth Division, due to Keble II fouling the bank, and so enabling Queen's II to row past them. St. Peter's Hall were close on Queen's at the time, and, being deprived of this bump, went for an over-bump and got to within a length of Corpus.
There were three bumps in the Third Division. St. Edmund Hall went up a fourth time by catching Balliol II coming into the Gut, Lincoln II caught Brasenose II at the Long Bridges, and Trinity II bumped Pembroke II in the Gut.
There were two bumps in the Second Division. Continuing their downward career, Magdalen II were bumped by Trinity at the Willows, and Hertford ran into Christ Church II.
Brasenose again rowed over at the head of the river in the First Division, University College failing to catch them after a fine race, though at one period along the Green Bank they got to within less than a quarter of a length. Balliol caught Merton at the Free Water Stone, and Worcester overtook St. John's at the Ferry.
Bumps, indicated by brackets, were : [...]
Brasenose do betterThe fifth day's racing in the Summer Eights was favoured with glorious weather. The sun shone brightly while all four Divisions were racing and there was only a light southerly breeze blowing.
There were some exciting finishes, but bumps were not plentiful, only 11 being made in the four Divisions. Great interest was again taken in the race for the head of the River between Brasenose and University, who had finished within half a length of Brasenose on the previous evening. From the spectators' point of view, however, it proved disappointing, as Brasenose finished a length and a half ahead. The performance of University did not hearten their supporters. Brasenose had made a bad start on Monday and they did not repeat that mistake last night.
Christ Church gave New College a shock, getting right up with them at one point, only to fall away later on. Pembroke in turn made matters unpleasant for Christ Church, and only a quarter of a length separated them at the post. It was a good piece of rowing by the Pembroke crew. Wadham might have caught Exeter but for piece of ill-luck. They were within half a length at the Crossing when their coxswain brought them too closely in and they fouled the raft at the University Boat House, No. 6 breaking his oar.
Lincoln, after winning three places, had their first reverse from Balliol, while Merton continued to fall, this time to Worcester early in Iffley Reach.
There was a change at the head of the Second Division, St. John's, who have been steadily coming down, being caught by Trinity after a hard struggle. Magdalen II continued their downward career, providing Oriel with their third bump. After the Red Post the racing was not exciting and there was not a close finish, although St. Catherine's made Queen's extend themselves and Keble gained a lot on New College II. Corpus improved on their previous performance, as they bumped Wadham II, who had rowed through each previous day. St. Edmund Hall brought off a double by catching Hertford before getting through the Gut. They have now made five bumps and may reach the highest possible if they overtake Wadham II to-day, which seems quite probable.
Fourth Division. Order of Starting.— Corpus II, Queen's II, Keble II, St. Peter's Hall, Hertford II, Oriel III, St. Catherine's II, Jesus II, Christ Church III, Magdalen III, University College III. Corpus II retained their position at the head of the Division without difficulty, and finished a long way ahead of Queen's II, one of whose crew had caught a crab opposite the Brasenose barge. Fortunately Hertford II were a long way behind, and Queen's were able to recover and pass the post a couple of lengths ahead. Lower down St. Peter's Hall had made short work of Keble II, bumping them at the Ferry, while Oriel III, after struggling hard to the Gut, were bumped by St. Catherine's II near the Free Water Stone. There was a fine race between Christ Church III and Magdalen III. Magdalen came up fast from the Long Bridges, and were only a few yards behind at the Boat House. At the Christ Church barge a foot separated the two boats, which were well steered, but Magdalen never quite made up the leeway, and Christ Church got home by a narrow margin.
Third Division. Order of Starting.— Christ Church II, St. Edmund Hall, Balliol II, Worcester II, University II, Lincoln II, Brasenose II, Oriel II, Exeter II, St. John's II, Trinity II, Pembroke II, Corpus II. Christ Church had little chance against St. Edmund Hall, who got away well and gained rapidly in Iffley Reach and made a bump coming through the Gut. Balliol II lost to Worcester II all up the Green Bank, and Worcester II in turn were hard pressed by University II. Worcester II were almost overlapping Balliol II at the Boat House, but from that point Balliol drew away, and University II came up fast under the Wall and bumped Worcester II opposite the Corpus barge. Brasenose II and Oriel II had a hard race, for, although Oriel were right up coming out of the Gut, Brasenose put in a good effort along the Green Bank, but they were bumped just before reaching the Boat House. St. John's II gained some ground on Exeter II, but Exeter were well ahead at the finish. Trinity II followed two lengths behind St. John's and a length in front of Pembroke II, with Corpus II a long way behind.
Second Division. Order of Starting.— St. John's, Trinity, Magdalen II, Oriel, Queen's, St. Catherine's, Jesus, New College II, Keble, Wadham II, Corpus, Hertford, St. Edmund Hall. St. John's were unable to remain at the head of the Division. Trinity got well up coming through the Gut and finally bumped them at the Willows. Magdalen II held their own against Oriel up to the Ferry. From then Oriel gained rapidly and were almost within striking distance at Long Bridges, but Magdalen II struggled in determined fashion and reached the Boat House before being bumped. St. Catherine's gained on Queen's up to the Boat House, but Queen's held their own from that point and finished half a length ahead. Jesus followed a long way behind St. Catherine's and some difficulty in shaking off New College II, who gained a lot after passing Saunders Bridge. New College in turn were hard pressed by Keble, who at one time were within a quarter of a length, but they then fell away and half a length separated them at the finish. Wadham II were bumped by Corpus at the Willows, while Hertford were bumped by St. Edmund Hall at the Freewater Stone.
First Division. Order of Starting.— Brasenose, University, New College, Christ Church, Pembroke, Exeter, Wadham, Magdalen, Lincoln, Balliol, Merton, Worcester, and Trinity. Brasenose made a much better start than on the preceding evening, and University College failed to make much headway in the early stage. They, however, gained ground before entering the Gut and passing the Long Bridges there was about a length and a half between the two boats. After that there was little difference all the way up, Brasenose holding their own without difficulty and the same distance separated them at the finish. New College and Christ Church had a grim struggle up Iffley Reach and at one time Christ Church got very near. New College, however, got away again and eventually finished three-quarters of a length ahead. Pembroke again gained a lot on Christ Church and were well up at the Boat House, but then Christ Church held their own and passed the post a quarter of a length in front. Wadham drew well up on to Exeter, but fell away again, Exeter getting home a length ahead. Lincoln were bumped by Balliol before reaching the Red Post, while Worcester caught Merton at the Weir's Bridge.
St. Edmund Hall's two bumpsFor the fifth day of the Oxford Summer Eights the weather was fine and warm, but cloudy. The attendance showed no falling off.
The feature of the racing was the feat of St. Edmund Hall in making two bumps in one day, their sixth bump in all. On the other hand, Magdalen II fell for the fifth time. Brasenose easily kept their position at head of the river.
There were two bumps in the First Division, but Wadham lost a good chance of catching Exeter by fouling the raft at the boathouse, No. 2 breaking an oar. However, the crew managed to avoid a bump from Magdalen. Balliol caught Lincoln at the Red Post and Worcester bumped Merton at the Weirs Bridge.
Four bumps were recorded in the Second Division. Trinity advanced into the First Division with a bump over St. John's at the Willows; Oriel caught Magdalen II at the Boathouse; Corpus ran into Wadham II along the Green Bank; and St. Edmund Hall went up a second time in the course of the day by bumping Hertford at the Free Water Stone.
The feature of the rowing in the Third Division was the fifth success of St. Edmund Hall, who caught Christ Church II in the Gut, and so advance into the Second Division. So far they have made all their bumps below the Gut.
Bumps, indicated by brackets, were: [...]
Brasenose again Head of the RiverThe Oxford Summer Eights were concluded yesterday afternoon in favourable weather. The attendance had been less than usual on the early days, but there was a large crowd on the towing path yesterday to watch the final struggle for the Head of the River between Brasenose and University College. There was a stiff south-westerly wind blowing, and a few thought that might turn the scales in favour of the heavier University crew. It blew across from the Berkshire bank, but its force was broken by the line of spectators that extended from start to finish and its effect lessened.
University made a great effort to catch Brasenose. As the boats came out of the Gut there was less than half a length between them. University further reduced that distance, but after passing the Willows University began to fall off and Brasenose got away again and finished head of the river for the third successive year with three quarters of a length in hand.
These two crews were quite in a class by themselves, and of the remainder Pembroke, a small college with great rowing traditions, was possibly the fastest. They did remarkably well in making three bumps. Balliol and Worcester were other crews with considerable success in the First Division, each gaining four places. On the other hand, Merton lost and went down each night, and Magdalen II fell five places. Magdalen started by losing three places, but they almost won one back on Wednesday.
The lower divisions included a number of moderate crews, but St. Edmund Hall made seven bumps in the six days and St. Peter's Hall might have had a similar record but for the waywardness of the Keble II cox on Monday night, when he ran his boat ashore and Queen's [II] escaped St. Peter's Hall by rowing past them. St. John's II started well by making four bumps in the first three races, but then found their level, while the first crew, on the other hand, lost five places.
Eleven bumps were made yesterday, making a total of 70 for the six days.
There were four bumps in the Second Division and one or two were surprises. New College II, after five failures, at length caught Jesus, who had had to change their stroke. Keble met with an unexpected reverse. They, too, rowed over five times, but they lost to Corpus when their stroke dropped his oar at the start. St. Edmund Hall continued their victories, and by bumping Wadham II, on coming out of the Gut, made a highest possible number of bumps, gaining seven places during the races, a fine achievement for such a small boat club.
The racing in the Fourth Division was not interesting, though Keble II and Hertford II had a good tussle up the Green Bank which ended in Keble getting away and keeping their place by a quarter of a length. Corpus II finished at the head of the Division. St. Peter's Hall gained a place every afternoon except Monday and had never had to row half the course to make their bump. They thus finished up with five bumps to their credit, so that, with six bumps in the Torpids last term, they have good cause for satisfaction in the year's rowing. Christ Church III showed vastly improved form. Making an excellent start they drew up and caught Jesus near Haystack Corner.
Hertford came up alone at the head of the Third Division as Balliol II caught Christ Church II coming out of the Gut. Whatever chance Worcester II had of escaping Lincoln II was spoilt by the catching of two or three crabs soon after the start. The only bump in the Division was gained by Exeter II, who caught Brasenose II.
The following are the crews of the two leading boats on the river and of St. Edmund Hall [as below, although Brasenose crew weights from The Daily Telegraph]
Fourth Division. Order of Starting.— Corpus II, Queen's II, St. Peter's Hall, Keble II, Hertford II, St. Catherine's II, Oriel III, Jesus II, Christ Church III, Magdalen III, University College III. Corpus finished head of the Division. Queen's II were bumped by St. Peter's Hall. After a sharp struggle in Iffley Reach they were caught near the Weir's Bridge. Hertford II made a big effort to catch Keble II and there was an exciting race all along the Green Bank. Keble drew away again after passing the Boat House and got home with a quarter of a length to spare. Hertford II in the meantime had kept well away from St. Catherine's II and finished a length ahead. A wide gap separated St. Catherine's II from Oriel III. Jesus II, who had escaped the previous afternoon, failed to maintain their form and Christ Church III, after a good start, caught them at the end of Iffley Reach. Magdalen III in the meantime failed to make any impression on Christ Church.
Third Division. Order of Starting.— Hertford, Christ Church II, Balliol II, University College II, Worcester II, Lincoln II, Oriel II, Brasenose II, Exeter II, St. John's II, Trinity II, Pembroke II, Corpus II. Hertford kept their place at the head of the Division and paddled through after coming out of the Gut. Christ Church were caught by Balliol II at the Long Bridges. University College II also had an easy time, as things went wrong with the Worcester crew at the start, several of their crew catching crabs. Lincoln were able to bump them before passing the Weir's Bridge. Brasenose II were soon in difficulties, as Exeter II gained steadily on them all the way up Iffley Reach and bumped them at the Green Bank. The other four boats all finished with long gaps between them.
Second Division. Order of Starting.— Trinity, St. John's, Oriel, Magdalen II, Queen's, St. Catherine's, Jesus, New College II, Keble, Corpus, Wadham II, St. Edmund Hall, Hertford. Trinity, who had secured the first place from St. John's the previous evening, paddled over, and St. John's were bumped by Oriel after a hard race at the Boat House. Magdalen II for the first time kept their position and although Queen's gained ground in the early part of the race Magdalen got home with a length to spare. Queen's in turn were losing to St. Catherine's up to the Boat House, but St. Catherine's never got near enough to cause them much anxiety and three-quarters of a length separated the boats at the finish. Jesus and New College II had a hard tussle, but after having followed them without success for five days, New College at length bumped Jesus just before reaching the Cherwell. Keble had bad luck, as immediately after the start their stroke caught a crab and lost his oar. They were bumped at the Launch Works by Corpus. St. Edmund Hall continued their victorious career to the end, and made their seventh bump by catching Wadham II at the start of the Green Bank.
First Division. Order of Starting.— Brasenose, University, New College, Christ Church, Pembroke, Exeter, Wadham, Magdalen, Balliol, Lincoln, Worcester, Merton, and Trinity. University gained ground on Brasenose from the start, and coming out of the Gut were barely half a length behind. After reaching the Willows Brasenose held them and afterwards drew away, and again passed the post with a good three-quarters of a length in hand. The two leading crews had drawn right away from New College, who followed three lengths behind University College. Christ Church gained ground on New College, and finished within three-quarters of a length, while Pembroke followed the same distance behind Christ Church. A wide gap separated Pembroke from Exeter, who had a hard struggle to keep clear of Wadham, who finished inside a length. Wadham in turn rowed a hard race with Magdalen, whom they had previously bumped, and Magdalen finished just a few feet behind. Balliol were well up on Magdalen at the time. Worcester caught Lincoln just before coming into the Gut, and Merton were bumped by Trinity at the Weir's Bridge.
Brasenose retain HeadshipThe Summer Eights at Oxford were brought to a conclusion yesterday in brilliant weather after a most successful week's racing.
It became obvious on Tuesday night that University would not be able to catch Brasenose and displace them from the Head of the River, and last night, although they gained considerably, they never looked like making a bump. Brasenose must be congratulated very heartily on the life and dash which enabled them to retain their proud position.
In the last few days of practice and right through the races they improved enormously. They were quicker into the water than any crew I have seen for many years either at Oxford or Cambridge, and it was this lightning entry of the blade that in the past gave them their almost perfect uniformity. They could row 40 or more as one man.
At the same time, however, they had the serious defect of shortness at the finish. They were the shortest crew coached by Mr. Haig-Thomas that I have seen, and his crews are seldom noted for length in the water. This fault prevented them from attaining really first-class pace. Johnston stroked them with great vigour and determination, and he was splendidly backed up by Alastair Graham, who has never rowed better in his life, at number seven, and by Poole and Balding at five and six.
The crew were seated in the following order [as below]
University disappoint
University were a disappointing crew and never got to racing pitch. Undoubtedly they were the fastest boat on the river, but, as I had more than once pointed out, it takes a big margin of superior speed to catch the head boat, for not only has the attacker to make up over a length, but he has the handicap of rowing in the wash of a boat which has itself perfectly smooth water to cleave.
I had hoped to see University get to racing pitch on the first two nights, when they caught Exeter and New College, but when they first attacked B.N.C. on Saturday the fastest stroke they could row was only 35. At the same time, they should improve in pace considerably before Henley, and should worthily represent Oxford in the Grand Challenge Cup.
Monday fever was present in two forms at the beginning of the week. There was a benignant type was well as a malignant one. The former attacked crews that had done badly last week; the latter those that had done well, with the result that there was a curious rivalry [sic] of form, especially in the first division.
On the Friday night only Brasenose completed the course. On Saturday Christchurch unexpectedly failed to bump New College, whose pace had been seriously under-estimated. On Monday the nine top crews rowed over, though both University and the House got nearer to achieving success than on any other night.
Balliol improve
The downward progress of Exeter and Magdalen was arrested, and though Wadham were nearly successful in catching the former on Monday and Tuesday, they were almost caught by Magdalen last night. Lincoln, like Pembroke, made bumps on the first three nights, but unaccountably deteriorated on Monday, and on Tuesday fell to Balliol, who had snapped up all the crews dent down to them after the first night.
Balliol altered their order two nights before the races began by putting their Freshman Blue, M. Waterhouse, at No. 7 instead of stroke, with most beneficial results, both to him and the pace of their crew. They have continued to improve throughout the races.
St. Edmund Hall thoroughly deserved their seven bumps, all of which they got with the greatest ease. St. Peter's Hall were very unlucky in not being able to emulate them. They were held up by a bump ahead of them on Monday night, and tried very hard to make an over-bump, which is an almost impossible feat unless the other crews meets with an accident.
In last night's racing there were two bumps in the Fourth Division, St. Peter's Hall gaining their fifth success over Queen's II and Christ Church III catching Jesus II. Hertford II chased Keble II all the way up the Green Bank, but at the boathouse Keble began to get away, and just got home.
In the Third Division Balliol II caught Christ Church II, and Lincoln II caught Worcester II early on. A great race between Oriel II, B.N.C. II, and Exeter II along the Green Bank ended in the success of Exeter.
There were four bumps in the Second Division. Corpus ran into Keble almost at once, St. Edmund Hall made their seventh bump at the expense of Wadham II at the entrance to the Gut, whilst New College II and Oriel bumped Jesus and St. John's up the barges.
The First Division once more provided more thrilling racing, but no changes occurred in the first nine boats. University were up to B.N.C. at the Gut, but made a good spurt past the boathouse, but never got closer than half a length. Christ Church gained on New College, and Pembroke finished within their distance. Magdalen made a determined effort to bump Wadham back again, and almost succeeded. Worcester caught Lincoln, and Trinity established themselves in the First Division by bumping Merton.
Order of finish [...]
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