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Summer Eights at Oxford this year have not been helped in their usual short period of practice by the high water and cold weather which have been met with until the last day or two. Most of the coaches on home waters have no high opinion of the standard of the Eights, but it is probable that they have not made sufficient allowance for the difficulties of the training and that they have been influenced by the absence of any outstanding good crews.If Oxford rowing is to improve permanently it must grow from the bottom upwards, and there are several signs that it is doing this. In the first place 56 crews entered for the racing, a record number which at any rates argues that enthusiasm for rowing is by no means dead at Oxford. This will necessitate racing in five divisions. In the second place the standard of second crews is certainly higher than it has been for many years. The Magdalen second crew is the best second crew seen in the last 12 years, and Worcester , Keble, and Jesus all have good second crews. Finally, if there are no crews which would compare with the best three in many past years, there are not nearly so many bad crews, and certainly not the idle crews which have been so unhappily prevalent in recent times.
In fact, there does seem to be some indication of an undertaking of the necessity for hard work with which Colonel Gibbon at least imbued the University crew, to be seen now throughout the college crews. The new President, W. D. C. Erskine-Crum, and the Secretary, W. H. Migotti, have been on the towpath more often than has been customary of recent years, and though they may have to look far, there is here and there interspersed among the crews promising material for next year's Boat Race. What perhaps is more important is the healthier moral of the crews as a whole.
Head of the River
Brasenose once more start Head of the River with four Blues past and present. Kent is stroking, as he did last year, on bow side. Raw, the Trial Eight stroke, is at No. 7, Poole at No. 6, Holdsworth at No. 5, and Smith at No. 3. They are strong, but definitely not such as good crew as last year. Kent, while himself rowing well, has been unable to relieve them of their ponderousness. Their bladework is dirty, their wristwork slow, and they cannot command a high rate of striking. As at Henley, before they scratched for the Grand Challenge Cup, they work very hard for no great pace, and, in spite of their great strength, the physical advantage of clear water, and the moral advantage of starting Head of the River, it is extremely doubtful whether they will remain there.The second crew is University College, with two Tinnés, brothers of last year's President [D. E. Tinne], at No. 7 and No. 4 respectively. This is another crew which wastes a good deal of effort for little return of pace, but they do row exceedingly hard. It would not be going too far to say that Tomlin at No. 5 is potentially the best oarsman in the University. He has an ugly catch at the beginning, but he rows very hard indeed, is supple, swings well, is long in the water, and, being exceptionally strong, is almost as effective after six minutes rowing as at the start. If University College keep their position, which does not seem likely, in spite of a fairly rapid improvement this week, it will be chiefly through his steadiness and hard work at No. 5.
The Magdalen Crews
Next come Magdalen, who, after their good showing in Torpids, are confidently expecting to go head. As the captain of the club has modestly put himself in the second crew, some surprise has been caused that he did not decide to put the exceptionally fast Torpid crew on as a first boat just as they were. As things are the Torpid men are seated at bow, Nos. 6 and 7. and stroke in the first crew and bow and Nos. 4., 5, and 7 in the second crew. Both Magdalen crews have been most admirably coached. After the college's sad lapse two years ago from the proud position it had held through the 40 years of Sir Herbert Warren's presidency among the first four crews it seemed, with last year's young crew, that here at last was an Oxford nursery of the best type of othodox rowing. This has been fulfilled in the Torpid and these two crews. Both are smooth and polished, with good wristwork, good swing, and steady sliding, but both lack experience, and the first crew particularly lacks weight. There are many who think that the second crew, starting 16th on the river, are the faster of the two, and with their average weight of over 12st. they probably would be against a wind. With the wind the first crew, however, who are not quite so long, command a higher rate of striking and at the same time are steadier, so that their boat runs better.It is interesting to see the fourth and fifth brothers Irvine, one [A. S. Irvine] at No. 6 in the first crew, and one [T. T. Irvine ?] at stroke in the third, carrying on the family tradition. The eldest [H. C. Irvine] first rowed for Magdalen 13 years ago, the second, the hero of Everest [A. C. Irvine], rowed for Merton and Oxford 10 years ago. Sackville-West at No. 6 in the Magdalen second crew is a Freshman, who stroked the second Torpid. He was captain at Winchester and shows great promise. He rows very hard and is one of those rare oarsmen whose toes really do flatten down on the stretcher, instead of lifting up during the last part of the forward swing. Few ever attain such poise as this, and his beginning should be correspondingly harder.
Behind Magdalen are New College, with Ellison, the University bow, rowing much more compactly at No, 7. When paddling they show evidence of Dr. Bourne's teaching of wristwork, but when rowing they are not well together. A rather variable crew, they are likley to be bumped by Christ Church.
Christ Church are certainly one of the fastest crews. Erskine-Crum, the President, is rowing well at No. 5 — contrary to custom most of the Blues are this year — and there is a promising man at No. 6. The crew are well together and rowing at a fast rate, but their stroke, as in so many Christ Church crews since the college's success in the Grand Challenge Cup of 1908, is a little clipped at both ends. This may be an advantage in bumping races, but it does not tend to the greatest pace. Nevertheless Christ Church are likely to rise one or more places, and it is not impossible that they may go to the head. There is little to choose in the first five crews. The next four, however, are not so fast.
Balliol are smooth but rather lacking in dash and are likely to lose their place to Oriel. Waterhouse is rowing at No. 5, but he has lost much of the length and ease he used to have when rowing.
Pembroke, once more coached by Mr. Pazott [Pazolt?], who has coached them so successfully in recent years, are very light and have been handicapped severely by illness. They are not up to the standard of last year.
The best of the four is Worcester. Addison, as usual, is doing a great deal of work at No. 6 in spite of his bent arms. He is essentially a man who shines in crew which is not of the highest order, and he makes such crews win races.
Oriel's Example
Oriel are reputed to be the fastest crew at Oxford. Coached by Mr. Nisbet on the tideway and by Mr. Page, late of Jesus College, Oxford, and now of Thames, they are rowing in the London style. They certainly have precision of bladework as a crew, but they are not yet a good example of what a crew rowing in this style should be. For instance, they do not compare favourably either as a crew or individually with the Pembroke College, Cambridge, crew of last year.Jesus have had several outings with them. For a crew in the Second Division they are unquestionably fast and row in much the same style. Oriel will amost certainly make three bumps at the expense of Exeter, Pembroke, and Balliol, but may well prove in the end to be not appreciably faster than the other crews above them.
Queen's work hard, but are short in the water, and the same applies to St. John's, who start in front of Magdalen II, third in the Second Division. Wadham, starting behind Queen's, are rather ponderous, and the Trinity crew, who are at the head of the Second Division and who have Chadwyck-Healey, the University stroke, stroking them and a promising man at No. 5, are likely to rise a long way into the First Division. Chadwyck-Healey is not a pretty stroke to watch, but he has his experience at Putney behind him and he knows how to put the rate up, so that this crew is the only one which can comfortably row 38 over the course without clipping the stroke too much, and there are harder ways of succeeding in making bumps.
Order of Starting: Rowing in the Fifth Division will be begun at 2 o'clock. The order of rowing is :— [...]
57 Crews in Five DivisionsB.N.C. May Gain Record Success
Four Hours' Racing To-day
No fewer than 57 crews have been entered for the summer eights, which start at Oxford this afternoon, and for the first time it has been found necessary to divide them up into five divisions. The fifth, or bottom division, will start at two p.m., and racing will continue hourly, the first division winding up the day's sport at six p.m.
That so many crews have been put on shows that there is no lack of interest in rowing at Oxford, but it cannot be said that mere numbers have done very much to raise the standard as a whole, though the fact that there are, at the bottom of the river, some very bad crews tends to make those at the top more attractive to the eye than they otherwise would be.
Conditions during a rather shorter period of practice than usual — very few came up early — have been very much against the crews. Swollen streams, running sometimes at the rate of 4ft per second, have tested their powers of watermanship very high, for with a comparatively narrow and somewhat tortuous river it is seldom that coxswains are able to keep both banks of oars in water moving at the same speed.
At the head of the river the crews are now, I think, much more level in character than appeared likely a week ago. Then it looked as if the headship was to be fought out between Magdalen and Christ Church, both of whom are rowing this year with swivel rowlocks. To-day this is by no means certain, and it is quite on the cards that neither will get within striking distance of the crew that starts head, Brasenose.
B.N.C.'s Four Blues
On paper, B.N.C., with three Blues of this year's Oxford crew and one of last year's, should have no difficulty whatever in retaining with position, but they are by no means as fast as their personnel would lead one to expect. They are stroked by Kent on bow-side, with Raw, the Eton freshman, who was given so long a trial at stroke in the University crew at 7. Poole, showing more life than he has done before, is rowing well at 6, whilst Holdsworth and Gordon Smith, both with their old snatch at the beginning still in evidence, are at 5 and 3 respectively.
The power of the crew is obvious to the most inexpert eye, but its application is faulty, and the boat is dragged through the water as if a bucket were being towed astern. This week Mr. Haig Thomas, who took them for a time, earlier on, has put them through an intensive course of training, but it has come too late to make them the crew they should have been. All the same I think they should prove good enough racers to hold their position, and so finish head of the river for the fifth year in succession, a feat which has never yet been accomplished by any college.
University, who start second, have a young crew with only one old eights man, Pat Tinne, at 7. They are heavy and have improved very much during practice, and they are the first crew of this college to learn to sit their boat for many a year.
One has so often been proved wrong in predicting the downfall of New College in recent years that one is chary of doing so even this year. With Ellison, the 'Varsity bow, at 7, they have improved considerably during the last few days with Dr. Bourne's help, but I do not see how they can escape Christ Church, who start immediately behind them.
Christ Church are certainly the most polished crew on the river; they can paddle with machine-like precision. They have good material, with Eskine Crum, the president of the O.U.B.C., at 5, and a very promising heavy-weight freshman from Oundle, Banks [Bankes], at 6. Order of starting [...]
The Summer Eights have seldom been rowed under more trying conditions than on the opening day yesterday. The river was feeling the full force of the heavy rains that had flooded the Cotswolds a week ago, and there was a south-westerly wind that blew with fitful force. Fifty-six crews were competing, and that is the largest number that has ever been in these races. As might have been expected, the standard of rowing in the lower divisions was not high.On account of the high stream which was running the President of the O.U.B.C., W.D.C. Erskine-Crum (Christ Church), to avoid the danger from the congestion that always occurs at Randall's Bridge, wisely decided to curtail the course a matter of 80 yards, and the races finished at the old University Barge instead of at Salter's.
The racing was not very exciting. The majority of the bumps, of which there were 16, as usual were made below the Boat House. Brasenose started Head of the River for the fourth year in succession and held their own without much difficulty, while University College, who started second, notwithstanding their weight, had to strike their colours to Magdalen, who may make Brasenose row their best to-day. New College, although, hard pressed, succeeded in escaping the attentions of Christ Church, who in turn had no easy task to keep ahead of Balliol.
There was an unfortunate mix-up in the Second Division, which will have to be adjudicated on by the O.U.B.C. Committee. St. John's, hotly pressed by Magdalen II., bumped Lincoln, but Magdalen were so close up that they could not get clear of St. John's. In the meantime Merton and Jesus rowed past them and Jesus made a bump at the Long Bridges. The question is, therefore, whether Merton, by rowing past Magdalen, can claim a bump over them instead of losing one to Jesus.
Fifth Division. Order of starting.— Pembroke III, Wadham III, University College III, Worcester III, St. John's III, Keble III, Jesus III, University College IV. Pembroke III, without exerting themselves, came up two or three lengths ahead of Worcester III. University College III had bumped Wadham III. University College were soon gaining on Wadham, whose cox swung across into mid-stream and they had to strike their colours near the Free Ferry. Worcester III kept well clear of St. John's III and wide gaps separated the others. University College IV came home last some seven or eight lengths behind Jesus III. Order for to-day.— [...]
Fourth Division. Order of starting.— Trinity II, Pembroke II, St. Catherine's II, Corpus II, Oriel III, Christ Church III, Queen's II, Balliol III, Magdalen III, Jesus II, Merton II, Brasenose III, Pembroke III. A good race was rowed for the head of the division. Trinity II held their own fairly well until they left the Gut, when Pembroke II gained rapidly and made a bump near the Red Post. St. Catherine's II finished well ahead of Corpus II, but Oriel III were soon losing ground to Christ Church III, who were right on top of them at the Ferry. Oriel escaped and made some headway, but their spurt was of no avail, and Christ Church, coming up again, made a bump at the Freewater Stone. Queen's II tried hard for an over-bump and were close to Corpus II at the finishing post. Balliol III fell to Magdalen III at the Weirs Bridge. Merton II bumped Jesus II at the Long Bridges, and Brasenose III, after a very bad start, were bumped by Pembroke III near Haystack Corner. Order for to-day.—[...]
Third Division. Order of starting.— Hertford, Balliol II, University College II, Christ Church II, Worcester II, Oriel II, St. John's II, St. Peter's Hall, Brasenose II, Keble II, Lincoln II, Exeter II, Pembroke II. Hertford and Balliol II had a great struggle for the head of the division. Balliol gained before reaching the Ferry and half-way up the Green Bank less than a quarter of a length separated them. After that Hertford held their own and were half a length ahead at the Boat House. Finishing much the stronger they continued to widen the gap, and in the end passed the post a length ahead. Christ Church II soon had the measure of University College II, and gained rapidly on them in Iffley Reach. They kept on strongly and made a bump just after passing the Ferry. Worcester II finished a length ahead of Oriel II. St. John's II fell to St. Peter's Hall at Salter's Launch Works, and Keble II bumped Brasenose II opposite the Weirs Bridge. Lincoln II, Exeter II, and Pembroke II finished wide distances apart. Order for to-day.— [...]
Second Division. Order of starting.— Trinity, Lincoln, St. John's, Magdalen II, Merton, Jesus, St. Edmund Hall, St. Catherine's, Corpus, Keble, Wadham II, New College II, Hertford. Trinity paddled up and were well ahead of Lincoln, who were bumped by St. John's near the Free Ferry. St. John's in turn were being hard pressed by Magdalen II, who, when St. John's made their bump, were unable to get clear and had to lay by. In the meantime Jesus were in hot pursuit of Merton, and after passing the Magdalen boat made a bump at the Long Bridges. St. Edmund Hall rowed up well ahead of St. Catherine's, but Corpus were soon bumped by Keble near the Free Ferry, and Hertford, after a prolonged tussle with New College II had the satisfaction of making their bump opposite their own college barge. Order for to-day.— [...]
First Division. Order of starting.— Brasenose, University College, Magdalen, New College, Christ Church, Balliol, Pembroke, Worcester, Exeter, Oriel, Queen's, Wadham, Trinity. Brasenose finished Head of the River, University College, who started second, were bumped by Magdalen at the Red Post. Brasenose were well ahead at the time. Christ Church made New College row their hardest, and although they never got within striking distance, they had gained considerably before the finish. Balliol were faster than Christ Church, but Christ Church held their own up to the finish and had three-quarters of a length in hand at the finishing post. Worcester bumped Pembroke at the Weirs Bridge and near by Oriel bumped Exeter, while Wadham were bumped by Trinity at Haystack Corner. Order for to-day.— [...]
Bumps in Division II DisputedThe summer eights began at Oxford yesterday in bright, sunny weather, fifty-six crews competing in the five divisions. There was an excessively strong stream and high wind, and the course had been shortened 80 yards to avoid the danger of congestion at Randall's Bridge.
Brasenose paddled home at the head of the first division, but University, Pembroke, Exeter, and Wadham were bumped respectively by Magdalen, Worcester, Oriel, and Trinity.
There is a dispute in the second division racing. Merton having rowed past Magdalen II before being bumped by Jesus, and the matter will come before the O.U.B.C. Committee. Jesus made their bump at the Long Bridges.
Bumps were fairly frequent in the third and fourth divisions, but only one was recorded in the fifth. Bumps are show by brackets in the following table: [...]
Magdalen at Head of RiverThe second day's rowing in the Oxford Summer Eights was favoured with bright sunny weather all through the afternoon. The river showed a fall of several inches, and everything pointed to a good day's rowing.
There were many bumps made during the afternoon, 22 in all in the five divisions. There were few exciting finishes and nearly all the bumps were made on the other side of Saunders Bridge.
There was much speculation over the race for the Head of the River between Brasenose and Magdalen, but few were prepared for the comparatively easy defeat of the Brasenose crew, which included three Blues and the stroke of one of the Trial Eights. Brasenose, however, were outpaced from the start, and, although they came out of the Gut with a fair lead, they failed to hold it and Magdalen drew up fast along the Green Bank and bumped them at the New Cut, Magdalen thus recovering the place at the Head of the River which they last held in 1923.
University College had their second reverse, but only after a hard race with New College. Balliol quite failed to keep ahead of Worcester, who are a fast crew, Oriel went up again, at the expense of Pembroke and their second crew made a gallant effort for an overbump in the Second Division when they just missed Christ Church II by a quarter of a length. The other two Magdalen crews made bumps, and their second boat may be able to get up into the First Division. One of the best races was between St. Catherine's and Keble, which ended in St. Catherine's being bumped near the Red Post.
The decision of the Boat Club with regard to the disputed bumps in the Second Division was that Magdalen II, Merton, Jesus, and St. Edmund Hall should row again during the morning. The result was that Jesus bumped Merton as they were coming out of the Gut, St. Edmund Hall were within a quarter of a length of Jesus at the time.
Fifth Division. Order of starting.— Brasenose III, University College III, Wadham III, Worcester III, St. John's III, Keble III, Jesus III, University College IV. Brasenose III managed to hold University College III up Iffley Reach, but University College gained rapidly coming through the Gut and made their bump at the start of the Green Bank. Worcester III quickly drew up on Wadham III and were in turn pressed by St. John's III. Worcester, however, got out of their difficulties by bumping Wadham, but failed to get out of the way of St. John's, who had their progress blocked, and Keble III rowed past them. Jesus III and University College IV finished a long way apart. St. John's lodged a protest against the bump by Keble and the matter will come before the O.U.B.C. Committee. Order for to-day [...]
Fourth Division. Order of starting.— Pembroke II, Trinity II, St. Catherine's II, Corpus II, Christ Church III, Oriel III, Queen's II, Magdalen III, Balliol III, Merton II, Jesus II, Pembroke III, University College III. Pembroke II maintained their place at the head of the division without difficulty, but there was an exciting race between the next four boats, which were all close together at the Willows. There St. Catherine's, who were almost overlapping Trinity II, made an attempt at a bump at the Red Post, but, although Trinity got away for the moment, St. Catherine's came up again under the Wall and made a bump at the Worcester Barge. Corpus II failed to withstand the repeated challenge of Christ Church III, who eventually bumped them at the Red Post. Oriel III paddled up, Queen's II were bumped by Magdalen III near the Free Ferry. Balliol III were bumped by Merton II just after entering the Gut. Pembroke III rowed up well ahead of University College III until they reached the Brasenose barge, where one of their crew caught a crab, and University College bunmped them within 30 yards of the finishing post. Order for to-day [...]
Third Division. Order of starting.— New College II, Balliol II, Christ Church II, University College II, Worcester II, Oriel II, St. Peter's Hall, St. John's II, Keble II, Brasenose II, Lincoln II, Exeter II, Pembroke II. Balliol II soon began to gain on New College II, and with a determined spurt on getting clear of the Gut made a bump at the start of the Green Bank. Christ Church II rowed through, but they had to row hard to escape Oriel II, who, after seeing Worcester II bump University College II at the Willows, made a gallant effort for an overbump and got within a quarter of a length of Christ Church. St. Peter's Hall paddled up. St. John's II were bumped by Keble II along the Green Bank. Lincoln II made short work of Brasenose II, getting a bump before passing the Free Ferry, and after a hard struggle Pembroke II caught Exeter II at the Red Post, Exeter being completely rowed out. Order for to-day [...]
Second Division. Order of starting.— Wadham, St. John's, Lincoln, Magdalen II, Jesus, Merton, St. Edmund Hall, St. Catherine's, Keble, Corpus, Wadham II, Hertford, Balliol II. Wadham were soon losing ground to St. John's, but held on until reaching the Willows, just where they were bumped. Lincoln had no better luck, for Magdalen II gained on them all up Iffley Reach and they were bumped just before reaching the Gut. Jesus paddled over, as Merton, who had lost a place to them in the morning. fell to St. Edmund Hall near the Free Water Stone, and after an exciting race along the Green Bank Keble bumped St. Catherine's near the Red Post. The remaining crews finished wide distances apart. Order for to-day [...]
First Division. Order of starting.— Brasenose, Magdalen, University College, New College, Christ Church, Balliol, Worcester, Pembroke, Oriel, Exeter, Queen's, Trinity, St. John's. Magdalen started at great pace and had reduced the lead of Brasenose to less then a length on entering the Gut. Along the Willows they put in a hard spurt, and, drawing up steadily, made a bump near the New Cut. University College and New College had a determined struggle. New College, who had gained a lot of ground, lost some of their advantage through taking a bad corner through the Gut. They recovered, however, and after a hard struggle bumped University College just before reaching the Cherwell. Christ Church managed to keep well ahead of Balliol, who were unable to hold their own against Worcester and were bumped at the Crossing. Oriel gained steadily on Pembroke and bumped them just above the Weirs Bridge. Exeter had a hard business to escape Queen's, who at one time looked like making a bump, but Exeter struggled on and had the satisfaction of seeing Queen's bumped by Trinity near the O.U.B.C. Boat House. Order for to-day [...]
Magdalen Deprive B.N.C. of the HeadshipThe most interesting feature of the racing in the second day of the Oxford Summer Eights yesterday was the struggle for the headship of the river between Brasenose, who have held that position for four years, and Magdalen, who were last head in 1923. The latter crew came up very fast along the Willows yesterday, and made the bump which took them to the head place at the crossing.
In order to settle the question of the disputed bumps on Thursday in the Second Division, the O.U.B.C. Committee ordered a re-row between Magdalen II, Merton, Jesus and St. Edmund's Hall in the morning, when Jesus bumped Merton at the Long Bridges.
St. John's went to the head of Division II, Balliol II deprived New College of the lead in Division III, and University College III bumped Brasenose III, who started at the head of Division V.
There were twenty-two bumps during the day, five in the first division, four in the second, five in the third, five in the fourth, and three in the fifth.
Bumps are indicated by brackets in the following table: [...]
Worcester's SuccessesAs usual at the week-end there was a greatly increased attendance for the third day's rowing in the Oxford Summer Eights. Many old rowing men were present, including Lord Desborough, Harcourt Gold, C. D. Burnell, A. S. Garton, Guy, Vivian, and G. O. Nickalls, Captain R. C. Bourne, and E. D. Horsfall.
All interest in the struggle for the Head of the River had vanished with the easy victory of Magalen over Brasenose on Friday. Magdalen showed on Saturday that there was no element of luck in their victory, as they finished the full distance ahead without being at all pressed. Some people expeceted that New College might also bring about the downfall of Brasenose, but Brasenose had no cause for anxiety. New College certainly gained ground over the first half of the course, but Brasenose held their own without any great difficulty to the end and finished well ahead. Worcester, who had shown unexpectedly good form in bumping Pembroke and Balliol on previous days, added Christ Church to the list, although Christ Church had brought up the former Blue, L. Clive, to stroke them in the hope of keeping their place. Worcester are a very fast crew, and they made their bump before reaching the Boat House. University College will be fortunate to escape them to-day. Oriel also claimed another victim, Balliol, and other crews who continued their winning sequence were Trinity, Keble, Pembroke II, Magdalen III, and Merton II. Magdalen II made their second bump by catching Wadham, and there is quite a chance of their making their way into the First Division.
Only those who had taken up positions below the Boat House saw much of an exciting nature, for the only close finish farther up was that between Exeter II and St. Catherine's II, who had a ding-dong race from Bridges home. Exeter just succeeded in keeping their place.
There was rather less stream running but heavy thunderstorms prevailed during Friday night, and it is likely that the river may be higher again to-day and the shortened course is likely to be adhered to.
Fifth Division. Order of starting.— Pembroke III, Brasenose III, Worcester III, Wadham III, St. John's III, Keble III, Jesus III, University College IV. There was a good race for the head of the division between Pembroke III and Brasenose III. Brasenose gained steadily all the way up to the Boat House, where about half a length separated the two boats. Pembroke held their own for a time, but whatever chance Brasenose had of making a bump was spoiled through one of their crew catching a crab 100 yards from the winning post. St. John's III soon had the measure of Wadham III and caught them just after passing the Weir's Bridge, but the remaining crews each followed some distance apart. Order for to-day [...]
Fourth Division. Order of starting.— Exeter II, St. Catherine's II, Trinity II, Christ Church III, Corpus II, Oriel III, Magdalen III, Queen's II, Merton II, Balliol III, Jesus II, University College III. Pembroke III, There was a hard struggle for the head of the division between Exeter II and St. Catherine's II. St. Catherine's were right up as the crews enetered the Gut. Along the Green Bank St. Catherine's were nearly overlapping but Exeter managed to get away a little and there was clear daylight between the boats as they passed the Boat House. An exciting race ensued to the finish, but Exeter gained a little more at the Cherwell and finally passed the post a bare quarter of a length ahead. Trinity II, Christ Church III, and Corpus II came up at wide intervals, but Oriel III quickly fell to Magdalen III, who overhauled them at Salter's Launch Works. Merton II bumped Queen's II at Haystack Corner, and Balliol III, after a sharp struggle along Iffley Reach, were bumped by Jesus II at the Weir's Bridge. University College III and Pembroke III finished well away from each other. Order for to-day [...]
Third Division. Order of starting.— Balliol II, New College II, Christ Church II, Worcester II, University College II, Oriel II, St. Peter's Hall, Keble II, St. John's II, Lincoln II, Brasenose II, Pembroke II, Exeter II. A good race was promised between the leading crews, as New College II made up a lot of ground along Iffley Reach and were within a length of Balliol II as they came out of the Gut. Balliol recovered a little along the Wall, however, and, finishing strongly, passed the post with a length and a quarter to spare. Christ Church II at once began to lose to Worcester II, who, after a strong effort at the Weir's Bridge, made a bump at the Free Ferry. University College II were soon in difficulties with Oriel II, who bumped them at the Weir's Bridge. St. Peter's Hall, who followed, finished well ahead of Keble II. After a hard struggle St. John's II bumped Lincoln II at the Willows, and Pembroke II bumped Brasenose II as they were coming out of the Gut. Order for to-day [...]
Second Division. Order of starting.— St. John's, Wadham, Magdalen II, Lincoln, Jesus, St. Edmund Hall, Merton, Keble, St. Catherine's, Corpus, Wadham II, Hertford, Balliol II. St. John's, who had got to the head of the division on Friday afternoon, rowed up in leisurely fashion. Wadham, after a hard struggle in Iffley Reach, were in the end bumped by Magdalen II at the Long Bridges. Lincoln began to lose to Jesus from the start, were in difficulties at the Weir's Bridge, and were at last bumped at the Free Ferry. St. Edmund Hall paddled over. Merton, who spurted again and again to escape Keble, were at last bumped under the Willows. Corpus were bumped by Wadham II at the Free Water Stone. Balliol II at one time gained a lot on Hertford, but failed to maintain the effort, and Hertford got well away again near the finish. Order for to-day [...]
First Division. Order of starting.— Magdalen, Brasenose, New College, University College, Christ Church, Worcester, Balliol, Oriel, Pembroke, Exeter, Trinity, Queen's, St. John's. Magdalen came up fully their distance in front of Brasenose, who had to row hard to escape New College. New College had gained some distance as the boats came out of the Gut, and although they gained still more as they came up the Green Bank Brasenose held their own from that point and finished a length ahead. University College followed some distance behind New College. Christ Church, who followed, were bumped by Worcester just after leaving the Green Bank. Oriel continued their victorious career at the expense of Balliol, whom they bumped as the boats were coming out of the Gut. Pembroke paddled through. Exeter were bumped by Trinity at the Weir's Bridge, and Queen's rowed up well ahead of St. John's. Order for to-day [...]
Magdalen still at Head of the River Christ Church lose a placeThe weather took a turn for the worse for the third day's racing in the Oxford Summer Eights. The rain fell heavily; there was a stiff cross wind, and the stream resembled a river in high flood. The attendance, however, was quite large, especially when the later divisions were rowing.
Magdalen easily held their own at the head of the river, the position they secured on Friday, but Christ Church, who brought in L. Clive, the old Blue, to stroke them, found that the move did not pay, and they lost a place for the first time. There were fifteen bumps during the day, making the three days' total of fifty-three.
Friday's disputed bump between the third crews of St. John's and Keble in the fifth division was rowed off in the morning, when St. John's kept away from their opponents, and so deprived Keble of the bump they had claimed.
Bumps are indicated by brackets in the following table: [...]
Close Racing and Many BumpsThe Summer Eights were fortunate on Saturday to escape the rain which fell soon after the finish of the racing and continued without stop all through the night. As a consequence the river rose 15in. on Sunday, and although it fell a little yesterday morning there is every likelihood of another flood, as it was up again in the afternoon. The stream was running at a tremendous pace, and Salter's have been compelled to suspend altogether their steamboat service between Oxford and Kingston.
To avoid any possibility of accidents when the lower boats were taking up their positions the Boat Club wisely decided to short the course three distances, a matter of 130 yards.
Balliol III lodged an appeal against the bump made by Jesus II on Saturday on the ground of obstruction by the boat in front of them and the two crews re-rowed in the morning. A good race followed but Balliol, after being well away at the Bridge [? not sure which bridge this refers to], managed to hold their lead in spite of the determined efforts of their opponents, and finished a quarter of a length ahead.
There will probably be another re-row today, as Christ Church have lodged a protest against the bump claimed by Oriel in the First Division, and the matter will come before the Boat Club Committee. This is the third disputed bump that has occurred during the racing this year. Coxswains have been perhaps unfairly criticized, as directly a boat has lost way they are helpless in the strong stream that is running.
The racing was prolific in bumps, and in the five divisions no less than 20 were made. The altered conditions caused some reversals of form and St. John's II recovered the place they lost to Lincoln II on Saturday, while Christ Church, who were bumped by Worcester on Saturday afternoon, were close up to them yesterday when Worcester bumped University College. Magdalen II made their way into the First Division by catching St. John's but their previous exertions handicapped them in their race with Queen's in the First Division. St. Catherine's II made two bumps during the afternoon, catching Brasenose II and Exeter II. Magdalen III and Merton II continued their winning sequence, but both Keble and Pembroke II suffered a check in their progress.
Fifth Division. Order of starting.— Pembroke III, Brasenose III, Worcester III, St. John's III, Wadham III, Keble III, Jesus III, University College IV. Pembroke III paddled over, but Brasenose III, after a slow start were soon losing ground to Worcester III, who, rowing fast in the Gut, made a bump at the Long Bridges. St. John's III came over at their leisure. Wadham III could not hold Keble III, who bumped them at the Free Ferry. Order for to-day [...]
Fourth Division. Order of starting.— Exeter II, St. Catherine's II, Trinity II, Christ Church III, Corpus II, Magdalen III, Oriel III, Merton II, Queen's II, Balliol III, Jesus II, University College III, Pembroke III. Exeter and Sc. Catherine's had another hard race as on Saturday, but Exeter did not show to the same advantage against the strong stream, and St. Catherine's, after gaining on them all the way up Iffley Reach, made a bump in the Gut. Christ Church III also were at a disadvantage in their heavy clinker eight and Trinity II kept their distance ahead and even added materially to it. Magdalen III were soon hot on the trail of Corpus II and bumped them coming through the Gut. Oriel III also fell to Merton II, who bumped them near the Free Ferry, and at the same spot Balliol III escaped the attentions of Jesus II by bumping Queen's II. Wide gaps separated the remaining crews. Order for to-day [...]
Third Division. Order of starting.— Balliol II, New College II, Worcester II, Christ Church II, Oriel II, University College II, St. Peter's Hall, Keble II, Lincoln II, St. John's II, Pembroke II, Brasenose II, St. Catherine's II. A good race was seen between the leading three boats, New College II, who were hard pressed by Worcester II, were almost within a length of Balliol II coming out of the Gut, but Balliol II maintained their advantage all along the Green Bank while New College continued to lose ground. At the crossing Worcester II were close to them and in the end bumped them opposite the Magdalen Barge. New College were close to Balliol II at the time. Christ Church II again lost a place when they were bumped by Oriel II, who gained rapidly on them from the start and caught them at the Free Ferry. University College II fell victims to St. Peter's Hall. Keble II paddled over. St. John's II showed improved form and recovered the place they had lost to Lincoln II on Saturday by bumping them at the Long Bridges. Pembroke II paddled over. Brasenose II provided St. Catherine's II with their second bump of the afternoon after a brief struggle at the Launch Works. Order for to-day [...]
Second Division. Order of starting.— St. John's, Magdalen II, Wadham, Jesus, Lincoln, St. Edmund Hall, Keble, Merton, St. Catherine's, Wadham II, Corpus, Hertford, Balliol II. Magdalen II made ground rapidly in Iffley Reach and were within a lemgth of St. John's at the Ferry. They gained still more in the Gut, and made a bump just before reaching the Red Post. Jesus drew up close to Wadham, and on entering the Gut at last overhauled them under the Willows, and St. Edmund Hall, who were losing ground to Keble at the time, bumped Lincoln near the Free Ferry. Merton fell to St. Catherine's halfway along the Green Bank, where Wadham II were bumped by Corpus. Hertford paddled up a long way ahead of Balliol II. Order for to-day [...]
First Division. Order of starting.— Magdalen, Brasenose, New College, University College, Worcester, Christ Church, Oriel, Balliol, Pembroke, Trinity, Exeter, Queen's, Magdalen II. An interesting race was seen between the three leading boats. Brasenose, who lost the Head of the River on Friday, drew up on to Magdalen and were within about a length of them at the New Cut, while they themselves in the meantime had lost a lot of ground to New College. Magdalen steadily improved their position all the way after that, and in the end finished with a lead of two lengths. Meanwhile New College had been steadily gaining on Brasenose, and, making a strong spurt from the Cherwell, only failed to make a bump by a few feet. Worcester bumped University College in the Gut, and they were being hotly pressed by Christ Church at the time. Christ Church were unable to get clear and Oriel rowed past them, which is equivalent to a bump. Balliol paddled over. Pembroke were caught by Trinity between the Weir's Bridge and the Ferry, and Exeter fell to Queen's near the Weir's Bridge. Order for to-day [...]
Oxford Eights Course ShortenedUnusual Incidents in the Racing Yesterday
There was a grave doubt at one time if the Oxford Eights would be rowed yesterday as the river had risen well over a foot and the stream was running so strongly as to be dangerous to navigation of light craft. The difficulty was overcome by shortening the course at Iffley, and, with this having previously been done at the finish, the task of the crews was rendered much easier.
There were one or two unusual incidents during the day. In the First Division Christ Church crashed into Worcester when the latter made their bump over University College, and Oriel rowed past them and so claimed the bump. It is probable, however, that Christ Church and Oriel will be called upon to row over again this morning.
There was also another disputed bump on Saturday, this time in the Fourth Division, in which Jesus II caught Balliol III. The latter, however, claimed that they had been impeded by the bump in front of them, and the O.U.B.C. ordered Jesus and Balliol to re-row this morning, Balliol getting home after a hard race by a few feet. Thus the Jesus II bump on Saturday does not stand.
There was rather an alarming incident in the Fifth Division races when an excited Hertford undergraduate accidentally discharged his pistol into the back of a spectator. Luckily, however, the wad only penetrated the man's coat and caused a superficial wound, and so no serious harm was done.
This looks like being Magdalen's year; not only are their first crew head of the river, but their second crew have made three bumps and their third crew four.
There were 20 bumps during the day, which are indicated by brackets in the following table: [...]
Boat Bumped at PostThe Oxford Summer Eights were rather favoured in the matter of weather yesterday, as after another heavy downpour of rain during the night the afternoon turned out fine, if threatening, but with a cold north-easterly wind which had a considerable effect on the attendance. The floods showed an alarming increase. The Brasenose ground is completely under water, and the water has encroached on the path around part of Christ Church Meadows and near the new Boat House [not sure which Boat House this refers to]. There is a great quantity of water to come down still from the Banbury district, and the Thames Conservancy Board report that floods are still rising in the West.
The day was less prolific of bumps, 18 being made as against 20 on the previous afternoon. The appeal of Christ Church against the claim made by Oriel for a bump when they rowed past on Monday was heard, and the two crews were ordered to row again during the morning. The result was the same. Oriel again showed their superiority in no uncertain fashion, and made a bump before getting through the Gut.
Magdalen easily maintained their position at the Head of the River against Brasenose and were quite their distance in front as they passed the post. An exciting race was anticipated between Brasenose and New College, but it failed to come about as Brasenose showed much improved form and were well away from New College, who were bumped by the successful Worcester boat coming through the Gut. Oriel also continued their winning sequence, but they had a much harder task to overtake University College, who held them until they passed the Worcester Barge. Trinity had a check when Balliol got home safely. Queen's had better luck and recovered their position at the expense of Pembroke. Exeter made another victim for Magdalen II, who certainly have not had the best of luck.
The finest race of the day was between Lincoln II and Pembroke II. There has been none so thrilling this year, as Lincoln had partly passed the finishing post when Pembroke caught them.
Magdalen III and Merton II continued their winning sequence unchecked, but on the other hand Wadham, Lincoln, and University College II again suffered reverses.
Fifth Division. Order of starting.— Pembroke III, Worcester III, Brasenose III, St. John's III, Keble III, Wadham III, Jesus III, University College IV. There was a good race for the head of the division, and at the Boat House Worcester III were only a quarter of a length behind Pembroke III. Pembroke, however, spurted strongly and kept their lead to the end. A hard struggle between Brasenose III and St. John's III all the way up ended when St. John's III made a bump just before reaching the Cherwell. Keble III paddled over, but Wadham III were bumped by Jesus III in the Gut. Order for to-day [...]
Fourth Division. Order of starting.— Brasenose II, Exeter II, Trinity II, Christ Church III, Magdalen III, Corpus II, Merton II, Oriel III, Balliol III, Queen's II, Jesus II, University College III, Pembroke III. Nearly all the boats in this division changed places. Brasenose II rowed over. Exeter II, who followed, caught a crab early in Iffley Reach and were bumped by Trinity II at the Weir's Bridge. All the bumps were made before the Gut. Christ Church III fell to Magdalen III at the Corporpation Ferry. Corpus II were caught by Merton II at the Weir's Bridge. A little higher up Balliol III bumped Oriel III, and Jesus II, starting with a dash, caught Queen's II at Haystack Corner. University College III finished three or four lengths ahead of Pembroke III. Order for to-day [...]
Third Division. Order of starting.— Balliol II, Worcester II, New College II, Oriel II, Christ Church II, St. Peter's Hall, University College II, Keble II, St. John's II, Lincoln II, Pembroke II, St. Catherine's II, Brasenose II. Balliol II held Worcester II up Iffley Reach, but after passing Ferry Worcester came up fast and made a bump at the Long Bridges. New College II were soon in difficulties, but managed to hold Oriel II until they were coming through the Gut, where they were forced to give way. At the Ferry Christ Church II fell victims to St. Peter's Hall. There was a more protracted struggle between University College II and Keble II. University College had a decided advantage coming out of the Gut. They failed, however, to respond to a determined spurt by Keble, who bumped them under the Willows. Half way up Lincoln II had got within a length of St. John's II, with Pembroke II a similar distance behind Lincoln. St. John's succeeded in holding their lead, but Lincoln II failed to withstand a determined effort by Pembroke II, who, coming up steadily from the Cherwell, made a bump after a most exciting race, the bows of the Lincoln boat being past the winning post at the time. St. Catherine's II followed some distance behind and far ahead of Brasenose II. Order for to-day [...]
Second Division. Order of starting.— Magdalen II, St. John's, Jesus, Wadham, St. Edmund Hall, Lincoln, Keble, St. Catherine's, Merton, Corpus, Wadham II, Hertford, Worcester II. Magdalen retained the head of the division without unduly exerting themselves, although St. John's finished within a length of them. St. John's in the meantime had drawn right away from Jesus, although at one time Jesus had gained quite a bit, and four lengths separated them at the finish. Wadham again met with disaster, for, although they held St. Edmund Hall up to the Ferry, St. Edmund Hall drew rapidly up from that point and made a bump at the Long Bridges. Lincoln also were bumped again, Keble pressing them hard in Iffley Reach and bumping them on entering the Gut. A wide gap separated St. Catherine's from Merton, who rowed through for the first time and finished three lengths in front of Corpus, who were well away from Wadham II. Wadham II had a hard race with Hertford, who finished within a third of a length of them. Worcester II paddled up. Order for to-day [...]
First Division. Order of starting.— Magdalen, Brasenose, New College, Worcester, University College, Oriel, Christ Church, Balliol, Trinity, Pembroke, Queen's, Exeter, Magdalen II. Magdalen II retained the Head of the River without much effort and finished fully their starting distance ahead of Brasenose. Brasenose, improving on Monday's display, kept well away from New College. They were relieved of all anxiety when New College, after a tough struggle, succumbed to Worcester coming through the Gut. Oriel followed up their bump of Christ Church in the morning with an even more brilliant effort when they got away well at the start and caught University College at Haystack Corner. Christ Church lost a length to Balliol before reaching the Boat House, but from then held their own and that distance separated them at the finish. Trinity made a splendid effort to continue their winning sequence, but failed, Balliol passing the post half a length ahead. Queen's bumped Pembroke at the Weir's Bridge and Exeter fell victims to Magdalen II soon after the start, being bumped at Haystack Corner. Order for to-day [...]
River in Worse Condition than Ever BeforeNever within living memory have Oxford summer eights been rowed under such conditions as prevail this year. During Monday night the river rose fifteen inches, and in places had overflown the banks. The stream was running yesterday with the force of a small cataract, and it was noticeable that some of the lower crews' boats almost stopped between the strokes. The course has already been shortened nearly 200 yards, owing to the strong flow of water near Iffley and Folly Bridge, and is now under a mile, long enough in the circumstances.
The features of the day's racing were the continued decline of Wadham's first and third crews, each of whom have now lost five places, and the consistency of the Merton II and Magdalen III, who have now recorded five bumps each.
The third division provided the most thrilling event in the race, between Lincoln II and Pembroke II, the latter making a bump virtually on the post, when the bows of the Lincoln boat were past the winning flag.
Oriel and Worcester continued their sequence of bumps in the first division and have now scored five each. There were eighteen bumps during the day.
There was a re-row between Oriel and Christ Church in the morning owing to a disputed bump on Monday. Oriel again caught their opponents, and the bump stood.
Bumps are indicated by brackets in the following table: [...]
Magdalen's SuccessesThe Times Bumps chart accompanying this article is incorrect in showing (Div II) Wadham II bumping Corpus on the last day — the commentary says "Wadham II. paddled through" (i.e. rowed over) and this is reflected in the starting order for the 1933.The Summer Eights were concluded at Oxford yesterday before a large crowd of spectators. But for the threat of a heavy thunderstorm in the early part of the afternoon, which fortunately failed to come, it would have been even greater. The floods have at length begun to recede and the river showed a fall of three or four inches from Tuesday's level.
The racing was remarkable, for, with the exception of Pembroke III, who started at the bottom, not a single crew in the Fourth Division rowed through and all the six bumps were made before half the course had been covered. The boats had not nearly found their level, for no fewer than 20 bumps were made, a remarkable number for a last day's racing. Altogether in the six days' racing there was a total of 110 bumps.
Magdalen, who deprived Brasenose of the place at the Head of the River, well deserved their success, and they retained the position without ever being compelled to go all out. They were coached by Mr. P. Johnson, the Old Blue. Their second and third crews also did extraordinarily well, the third making six bumps and the second five. That seems to show that Magdalen rowing has once more reached a high standard.
Worcester owed their success largely to the vigorous coaching of Mr. Vivian Nickalls, and did well to make five bumps, although this performance was eclipsed by Oriel, who improved their position every night, a tribute to the coaching of J. H. Page of the Thames Rowing Club, and A. C. Henley, their old captain. Merton II also had a record of six bumps, which made some amends for the disasters that overtook their first crew. Magdalen II, Worcester II, and Keble all made five bumps, and Trinity, St. Peter's Hall, Oriel II, Keble II, and Pembroke II made four each. On the other hand Wadham, University College II, and Wadham III went down every day [also Lincoln].
The following are the names and schools of the Magdalen (Head of the River) crew and Oriel, who made six bumps in the First Division :— [listed below].
Fifth Division. Order of starting:— Pembroke III, Worcester III, St. John's III, Brasenose III, Keble III, Jesus III, Wadham III, University College IV. Pembroke III came up head of the division quite their distance ahead of Worcester III, who finished well in front of St. John's III. There was a good race lower down between Brasenose III and Keble III. Brasenose kept well in front in Iffley Reach, but then fell away and Keble caught them coming through the Gut. Jesus III paddled over. Wadham III, after a hard struggle were bumped by University College IV at the end of the Green Bank.
Fourth Division. Order of starting:— Brasenose II, Trinity II, Exeter II, Magdalen III, Christ Church III, Merton II, Corpus II, Balliol III, Oriel III, Jesus II, Queen's II, University College III, Pembroke III. Bumps were general in this division. Trinity II led off by catching Brasenose II as the boats were coming through the Gut, and a little lower down Magdalen III overtook Exeter II. Christ Church III were bumped by Merton II at the Freewater Stone, but Corpus II made a slightly better showing, for they reached the Long Bridges before being caught by Balliol III. Jesus II bumped Oriel III at the Freewater Stone, and University College III bumped Queen's II at the Free Ferry. Pembroke III, the Sandwich boat, alone rowed the course.
Third Division. Order of starting:— Worcester II, Balliol II, Oriel II, New College II, St. Peter's Hall, Christ Church II, Keble II, University College II, St. John's II, Pembroke II, Lincoln II, St. Catherine's II, Trinity II. Worcester kept well away from Balliol II up to the Willows, from where they paddled home, Balliol being bumped by Oriel II, who gained a lot as they came through the Gut. New College II made strenuous efforts to escape St. Peter's Hall, but all to no purpose. St. Peter's Hall made a strong effort and got a bump just after passsing the Free Ferry. University College II came out of the Gut with half a length's lead from St. John's II, but fell away along the Green Bank and were in the end bumped at the Red Post. Pembroke II at the time were within a length of St. John's. Pembroke finished well ahead of Lincoln II, who were fully their distance in front of St. Catherine's II. Trinity II followed three or four lengths behind.
Second Division. Order of starting:— Exeter, St. John's, Jesus, St. Edmund Hall, Wadham, Keble, Lincoln, St. Catherine's, Merton, Corpus, Wadham II, Hertford, Worcester II. There was a splendid race for the head of the division between Exeter and St. John's. St. John's gained a lot in Iffley Reach, and coming out of the Gut were only half a length behind. Then Exeter rallied and withstood a determined effort by St. John's along the Green Bank, but St. John's came back again and after a prolonged struggle Exeter were bumped near the Corpus Barge. The race between Jesus and St. Edmund Hall was even more exciting, for although St. Edmund Hall were within a quarter of a length coming out of the Gut, Jesus did not relax their efforts, but after a struggle St. Edmund Hall got the best of it under the Wall and made a bump at the New College Barge. Wadham continued their downward career and were bumped by Keble at the Freewater Stone. At the same spot Lincoln were bumped by St. Catherine's. Corpus gained considerably on Merton over the first half of the course, but failed to maintain their effort and Merton finished a long way ahead. Wadham II paddled through. Worcester II bumped Hertford after a sharp struggle at the Weir's Bridge.
First Division. Order of starting:— Magdalen, Brasenose, Worcester, New College, Oriel, University College, Christ Church, Balliol, Trinity, Queen's, Pembroke, Magdalen II, St. John's. Magdalen were never in any danger of being caught by Brasenose, although Brasenose gained over a great part of the course and had made up quite a length and a half when they passed the post. Worcester, contrary to general expectations, failed to make any gain on Brasenose, who were using a new set of oars. Oriel continued their upward career at the expense of New College, who brought in the Rugby Football Blue, W. E. Henley, at No. 6 in place of O. G. A. T. Morgan, who was suffering from a chill. New College made a good effort, but went to pieces at the end of Iffley Reach and had to give way coming through the Gut. University College were again bumped when Christ Church caught them in the Gut, but the next three boats followed at considerable intervals. Magdalen II made another bump and gave Pembroke very short shrift, catching them at Haystack Corner.
Magdalen Head of the RiverSummer Eights finish at Oxford
Desperate Effort by Brasenose
The honours of summer eights week, which closed last night at Oxford, fell in overwhelming fashion to Magdalen, who have now completely re-established themselves after their lapse of two and three years ago. For something over forty years they had never fallen below third before that time. That their crew of this year, containing as it did no Blues and only one heavy-weight, should have gone Head of the river by bumping Brasenose with no fewer than four 'Varsity oarsmen shows how firmly the old traditions of the college have been rebuilt.
The credit fo their success is due not only to the keenness of the undergraduates, but to that of their coaches, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Stephen Lee, Mr. MacCulloch, and last but not least Mr. R. P. P. Rowe.
The crew were: [as below]
Rowing with swivel rowlocks, they were beautifully together, attained real pace in the last few days of practice, and, possessing a splendid spurt, made both their bumps at the Red Post with a certainty rarely seen.
Their second boat made five bumps, and would had they not been held up twice by bumps ahead of them, have undoubtedly made seven. Their third boat made a bump every night with unfailing regularity.
Worcester Disappoint
Brasenose last night made the best show of their six nights' racing and looked dangerous to Magdalen up the Green Bank, but the latter's cox made a perfect crossing, and after that his crew drew away to a safe distance.
Worcester disappointed last night. They had made five perfect bumps, and then, as Magdalen did last year, they failed to gain a widely expected place on the last night. Nevertheless they are one of the fastest boats on the river. Well stroked by Hankin, they had in Migotti the most dashing oarsman now at Oxford.
Oriel, although they were not quite so fast as appeared probable earlier in practice, did very well, making six bumps on the boats sent down to them by Worcester.
Last Night's Racing
The river was still running at a great pace yesterday, although the level was down an inch or two since Tuesday. There were a couple of bumps in the fifth division. In the fourth division only one crew, and that the bottom one, had to cover the whole course, all the others bumping or being bumped in or below the Gut.
In the third division University II fell to St. John's II; while Balliol II, New College II, and Christ Church II all fell in the Gut to Oriel II, St. John's II, St. Peter's Hall, and Keble II, respectively.
In the second division St. John's bumped Exeter, St. Edmund Hall brought Jesus down, Wadham descended to Keble, St. Catherine's caught Lincoln, and Worcester II bumped Hertford below the Gut.
The first division provided the most exciting racing of the week. B.N.C. had altered their oars and made a desperate, and at one point almost successful, attempt to catch the head boat.
New College, who had lost their six, who was replaced by the Rugby Blue, Henley, were caught by Oriel in the Gut. Oriel fouled University, and they fell to Christ Church but an appeal is being lodged against the bump [apparently turned down]. Magdalen II made their fifth bump on Pembroke, in less than a minute's rowing.
Order of finish: [...]
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