Eights 1961Eights 1961
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Special Interest in Eights Week
It has been suggested that Eights Week, which will be begun today, may see the last of the traditional bumping races at Oxford. This is almost certain not to be so. A new road bridge is being built alongside the concrete footbridge, and obstructions in the river, which are making navigation difficult this year, will make it impossible for next year's Torpids to be rowed in lanes, as they have been for the past two years. Even if the obstruction were clear next summer, which is unlikely, the system of Eights would not be changed without another year's experience of Torpids in their new form.The Eights this year are specially interesting for two reasons. First, Oxford oarsmen are evidently still full of the crusading spirit so far as new ideas are concerned, and second, the gloomy forecasts of those who have opposed the recent policy of keeping representative University and Isis crews together are clearly refuted by a general improvement of the standard throughout the first and second divisions.
It is a mistake to belittle experiments with oars and rigging. Even when they appear misguided they are adding to the store of rowing knowledge, and their psychological benefit is often overlooked. An interested oarsman is likely to be an enthusiastic oarsman, and enthusiasm is an essential part of competitive sport. No doubt some of the Oxford crews are too severely rigged; no doubt some of the college treasurers will be shocked to find that lightweight oars do not last long; no doubt Magdalen will be laughed at for trying to put the clock back to the fixed-pin era. Perhaps in the end some of the more discerning spectators will conclude that it is not what you use but how you use it that really matters.
In the meantime the crews look healthy. St. Edmund Hall, rich in material, should stay head. Behind them Christ Church, Merton, Magdalen and Lincoln are all better than last year and all well matched. There could well be no change in the first five places. Queen's, Brasenose and Trinity are all threatened by St. John's, who have risen 16 place since 1957. Balliol may well gather some of the crumbs sent down to them by John's. Keble, better than ever, even without their Blues, are set to break into the first division, and New College at last have the material to reverse the depressing descent they have suffered for the past five years.
It is worth noting that because of schools only three Blues are rowing in Eights, R. C. I Bate and J. C. D. Sherratt for Keble [presumably St. Edmund Hall was meant] and C. M. Davis, the president, for Lincoln. The improvement is therefore not because there is no University crew to take men away from the colleges this term, but, more probably, due to the higher standard of trials and junior trials, to experience gained in winter and summer Isis crews and, perhaps, to the new system in Torpids, which has taught more men to race hard over the full distance.
St. Edmund Hall should stay Head
St. Edmund Hall have a good chance of holding their position as head of the river in the Summer Eights which start at Oxford this afternoon and continue until Saturday.They have most of their 1960 crew including their excellent stroke C. W. Holden, and have been strengthened by the return of the Blue R. C. I. Bate, who last summer was rowing for the University.
Practice at Oxford has been hindered by preliminary work on a road bridge which will replace the present footbridge over the Isis at Donnington Lane, and there is at the moment a passage wide enough for only one eight to go through at a time. So to avoid the congestion a number of college first crews have been rowing on other reaches of the Thames.
It is, therefore, not easy to assess prospects, but the general standard appears to be better than last year.
This improvement is not due to the disbandment of the University eight, for in fact only three of its members are rowing for their colleges, R. C. I. Bate and J. C. D. Sherratt for St. Edmund Hall, and C. M. Davis for Lincoln.
Christ Church Strong — Will Challenge Leaders
As bridging operations are taking place not far above the starting position of the leading boats the divisions in which the races are rowed have each been reduced by one crew, the leading boat now starting on what is normally the second station.Christ Church, who start second, are a strong and well drilled crew who will certainly challenge the leaders. Merton the third boat are at the moment an unknown quantity, while Magdalen, who follow them, and who have the University spare man P. C. D. Burnell at six, have somewhat surprisingly reverted to fixed tholes.
Their progress will be watched with interest though few are likely to follow their example. They will have to work hard to keep away from a strong Lincoln eight stroked by C. M. Davis.
Lower down in the first division St. John's again have a powerful crew and may continue their spectacular rise of the past four years at the expense of Trinity and Brasenose both of whom lack experienced men. Behind St. John's are Balliol who have the Crown Prince of Norway [Harald] at four.
Second Division — Keble Look Best
Keble, well stroked by J. L. Dent and with three other Isis oarsmen S. C. Godesen, J. A. Pattinson, and D. E. Tinne, and New College with three Isis men J. D. Russell, T. W. Tennant, P. A. Roff, the last named at stroke, look the pick of the second division.But New College, who at 17th are starting lower than they have been since 1873, have another good crew Oriel, in front of them on the first night. Lower down Exeter look to have an eight above their recent average.
Order of starting [...]
St. Edmund Hall Row Over — Best of Oxford college crews
Eights week opened in perfect weather yesterday with a light holding breeze and the sun shining. Only five bumps were made in the first two divisions bearing witness to the evenness of the standard. St. Edmund Hall rowed over at the head of the river with no difficulty, though Christ Church may have closed up a little below the Gut. St. Edmund Hall looked rough when rowing, but are certainly one of the best Oxford college crews of recent years.Christ Church were well away from Merton, who lost distance to Magdalen, but it was Magdalen who fell victims. Coming into the Gut they had only a quarter of a length of clear water from Lincoln who in turn were hard pressed by Queen's. At the bottom of the Green Bank one was not sure whether Lincoln would bump or be bumped first, but C. M. Davis, the president of the O.U.B.C., timed his spurt perfectly and took Lincoln up on Magdalen at the pink post, making his bump opposite the New Cut.
Brasenose were far behind Queen's, but in no danger. Trinity were quickly caught by St. John's. Balliol, therefore, had no chance to show what they could do but Hertford caught Jesus without much difficulty. Worcester were certainly unlucky to start in front ot Keble, who are probably the one crew which might give St. Edmund Hall a close race.
They caught Worcester below the gut. There was then a most exciting race between Pembroke and Oriel and New College. For a time it looked as though New College might drive Oriel on to Pembroke, but they seemed to ride at the top of the green bank and no bump was made. The rest of the second division rowed over except for St. Catherine's, who fell to Exeter early on.
There now seems little doubt that St. Edmund Hall will retain the headship unless some unforeseen mishap occurs. Lincoln should catch Merton tonight and on yesterday's showing Queen's are well placed to catch Magdalen. St. John's and Keble should also make bumps and Keble may perhaps register a second bump as sandwich boat. [Bumps Chart]
St. Edmund Hall hold of Challengers
St. Edmund Hall comfortably held their position at the head of the river when the Oxford University Summer Eights began in good conditions on the Isis yesterday. With three Blues and seven of the eight oarsmen successful last year, the Hall seem fairly certain to maintain their leadership throughout the week's racing.Making a spirited start Christ Church moved to within half a length of the leaders as they approached the Gut, but then St. Edmund Hall settled into their powerful rhythm and pulled clear.
Lincoln escaped when Queen's missed a bump along the green bank and then caught Magdalen as they neared the boathouses. St. John's moved farther up the top division with a quick bump over Trinity while Hertford re-established their foothold when, as sandwich boat, they caught Jesus.
Because of work on the new road bridge across the Thames, which leaves oarsmen a 40ft gap in the middle of the stream, the starting positions were put back and crews advised not to make any bumps under Donnington footbridge — the one now being replaced — because of the danger of obstructing following crews.
Danger Spot — Mix-up Near Bridge
But most of the 26 bumps which occurred yesterday were made within the vicinity of the bridge. Only once was there any serious trouble. This was in the fourth race when Corpus [II] caught Hertford [II], and Magdalen [III], who were following close to the Berkshire bank, were unable to proceed. Queen's [III], the crew behind them, steered clear and rowed over and were awarded a bump.Two disputes must be resolved by re-rows before to-day's programme. Lincoln [IV] claimed a bump over Brasenose [III] in Division VI, but because of a faulty start, they have to race again. In Division IV University [III] claimed a bump over Wadham [II] at the same time that Wadham claimed a success at Trinity [II]'s expense. These three crews will also re-row to-day.
Eights Details [list of bumps]
Uncertainties of Eights Week — Merton's effort in vain
However strong the arguments may be against bumping races there is no denying the entertainment and excitement which they sometimes produce, and the extraordinary changes of form. It seemed certain in Eights Week at Oxford yesterday that Lincoln would catch Merton without difficulty, and even more certain that Queen's would catch Magdalen. But Lincoln only succeeded with the skin of their teeth, and Queen's failed altogether.St. Edmund Hall were well away from Christ Church, who, in turn, were well away from Merton. Lincoln were almost withing striking distance of Merton when they emerged from the Gut, and actually made a shot for a bump at the top of the Green Banks [sic]. They had several more attempts, but Merton hung on and were still rowing when they passed the finish. But the umpire awarded a bump to Lincoln, though it was not clear where it had occurred. On Wednesday Queen's were close to Lincoln when Lincoln caught Magdalen, but yesterday Magdalen were never in any danger and finished well outside their distance ahead of Queen's.
The rest of the racing in the first division went according to expectations. St. John's easily catching Brasenose, and Balliol catching Trinity, whilst Keble duly made their two bumps, catching Jesus to reach the sandwich boat position and Hertford an hour later, to establish themselves in the first division.
In the second division there was again a struggle between Pembroke, Oriel and New College, but here it was New College who were unlucky, for they closed rapidly up the barges and actually hit Oriel as they crossed the finishing line, but the umpire ruled that Oriel were clear of the line before the bump was made. [Bumps Chart]
Keble back in Division I after 71 Years — Lincoln move up into third place
Keble returned to Division I for the first time since 1890 [actually since 1906] when the Oxford Summer Eights were continued on the Isis yesterday.They became sandwich boat when they caught Jesus, leaders of Division II, near the Gut, and made an even quicker bump, catching Hertford before reaching Donnington Bridge to establish a foothold in the top division.
Keble are the only crew capable of really testing St. Edmund Hall, the head of the river crew, but they will not meet, as they are at opposite ends of the division. It looks like being Keble's year.
St. Edmund Hall had a better row yesterday and Christ Church, their challengers, were unable to make any impression. Lincoln moved into third place, catching Merton, who were reluctant to acknowledge the bump.
St. John's also made their second bump, moving ahead of Brasenose at the Gut.
Crown Prince Harald of Norway was at No.4 in the Balliol crew, which moved up into ninth place, bumping Trinity soon after passing under Donnington Bridge.
The only other first eight to make two bumps yesterday was St. Peter's Hall, who returned to Division II with successes over St. Edmund Hall II and St. Catherine's.
Conditions for racing were again good, and the overall standard in the higher divisions is encouraging, although St. Edmund Hall and Keble are in a class apart. [List of bumps]
Oxford Eights as Expected
There were no real surprises, but there was, nevertheless, some keen racing on the third day of eights at Oxford yesterday. At the head Christ Church closed a little on St. Edmund Hall, but one could not say that this necessarily indicated anything more than that St. Edmund Hall knew they were in no danger.Christ Church were not pressed at all by Lincoln, who were well outside their distance at the finish. Magdalen, whose rowing was much improved, came within a canvas of Merton, who were saved by the cool leadership of their stroke, A. A. Edwards.
At the top of the green bank Queen's were half a length ahead of St. John's, and looked as though they might halt their upward progress. But they faltered at the O.U.B.C., where St. John's rushed up on them, to make their bump opposite the new boathouses. At the time Queen's were a little outside their distance behind Magdalen, but they had closed up in the early stages of the race, so that there is every prospect of a great struggle between Merton, Magdalen, and St. John's tonight.
Balliol and Keble both made early bumps, but in the second divsion there was a hard race between Pembroke, Worcester, and Jesus. Jesus just found the pace to keep away from Worcester, and Pembroke, who obviously have more pace than their practice form suggested, were just not fast enough to get within striking distance. New College at last struck the form for which their supporters had been looking and they caught Oriel below the Gut. Exeter and St. Peter's Hall, who had attracted little notice in practice, both duly made their third bumps. [Bumps Chart]
St. Edmund Hall continue unchallenged at Head
Conditions were less favourable on the Isis yesterday for the third day of the Oxford University summer eights, when a chilly cross-wind troubled the crews. There was no change in the order among the first five crews in the top division.St. Edmund Hall, the leaders, soon moved away from Christ Church, but the expected challenge from Lincoln did not materialise.
Merton had to struggle to hold fourth place after Magdalen, who were pressed hard by Queen's most of the way, got within striking distance. Magdalen's own plight was eased when St. John's made their third successive bump, catching Queen's alongside the barges.
Balliol made short work of Brasenose while Keble caught Trinity before they reached Donnington Bridge.
Third Bump — Crews Climbing Ladder
In Division II Exeter and St. Peter's Hall both made their third bump and should continue their upward trend to-day.The bump by Worcester IV over Christ Church IV announced on Thursday has been disallowed for lack of evidence. Although the Worcester crew stopped rowing, Christ Church continued.
[List of bumps]
Oxford, SaturdaySt. Edmund Hall Stay at Head
Summer Eights ended at Oxford today in weather fine for rowing, if at times cold and ominous for the large crowd that attended. It was a boisterous occasion. If Oxford men understandably bemoan the inadequate length of their home water for rowing purposes, they must admit that it affords a splendid setting for the social gathering that collects to witness the climax to the bumping races.The terraces and roofs of the elegant new boathouses, packed almost to immovability, and the stately if part-decrepit barges, the flags and guns and whistles are all conducive to a real sense of occasion, and make one regret that the Cambridge bumps course, for all its merit of length and relative spaciousness, ends in a rather non-descript bit of river not far below the gasworks and largely inaccessible to spectators. (It has its compensations, of course, to foregather lower down the river.).
Excitement and noise was in the air, summer dresses and boaters to the fore, and delighted cheers and squeaks greeted each succesful coxswain consigned to the waters of the Isis.
Twentieth Bump
St. Edmund Hall, with three Blues in the boat, were not extended in staying Head. Christ Church, Lincoln and Merton all rowed over behind them in that order and well spaced out. But all was activity lower down. St. John's, captained by their coxswain, like St. Edmund Hall, made a fourth bump and indeed a twentieth since 1957.They bumped Magdalen opposite the Green Bank, Magdalen holding to the past by rowing on fixed pins as if to assert that not all Oxford shall join the progressive spade-oar bandwagon. Queen's went down to Balliol and Brasenose to Keble, who thereby achieved a fifth in four days (the extra one being in the process of climbing out of the second division).
Finally Hertford sent Trinity down for their fourth time and into that second division, wherein New College at last came out of the doldrums with bumps on Oriel and Pembroke Exeter and St. Peter's Hall also went up four times.
Last Post and Drawn Sword
Of the distractions from the serious business of rowing there was the Trinity skiff exuding the last post from a hunting horn in the bows, while a topped helmsman in khaki drill brandished a drawn sword at all and sundry.But the most approval undoubtedly went to the feminine appeal of three ladies in vermillion and black who sculled past, boaters and all, so much more delicately than ever did three men in a boat. Sad to relate, they made an early retirement up the waters of the Cherwell. [List of Bumps & Finish Order].
St. Edmund Hall stay Head — Keble an outstanding crew
It is rare indeed for an Oxford college to be in the fortunate position of having to make only one change in the composition of a crew which rowed head of the river in the preceding year, and that the inclusion of a Blue in place of a mere trial cap. In these circumstances it was to be expected that St. Edmund Hall would stay head without difficulty, and it may be said that they fully lived up to expectations. Rough, and perhaps short at the finish, they nevertheless had real pace, and it is heartening that they can take their crew complete to Henley.Apart from St. Edmund Hall the outstanding crew were Keble, who made five bumps to enter the first division for the first time since 1905. Though lacking in physique, they were technically the best crew at Oxford, and never had to row beyond the green bank. They, too, hope to go to Henley unchanged. Lincoln, who had not been in the first four since 1868, duly reached third position on Thursday, but could not get within distance of Christ Church, who were considerably better than of late.
Held off
Merton should not be dissatisfied with holding fourth position, due to their fine racing. Magdalen again pressed them on Saturday, but Merton held them off, and Magdalen themselves fell to St. John's at the top of the green bank. Magdalen had reverted to fixed-pin rowlocks. But it would be academic to argue the merits of fixed and swivel rowlocks now, since the choice, for virtually everyone except Eton, was made years ago, not on merits but on popular prejudice, and it is unlikely that anyone would have followed Magdalen's example even if they had been successful.By bumping Magdalen, St. John's gained their twentieth place in 20 nights of racing. Hard work and enthusiasm earned them their success. But it is as well to see it in perspective. On the opening night of Eights in 1952 they lay eighth, and then dropped 17 places to their lowest ebb, twenty-fifth in 1956. So 10 years of bumping races have seen them right down and right back. By the same token, Keble have now risen 19 places in seven years of racing, and could certainly have made four or five more bumps this year if they had had the opportunity.
[Head crew - as below]. [Bumps Chart]
St. Edmund Hall Finish in Great Style
St. Edmund Hall easily maintained their position as Head of the River for the third year in the Oxford Summer Eights which were successfully concluded on Saturday. Showing fine form, they rowed past the boathouses well outside their distance from Christ Church.This was presumably the last appearance on the Isis of C. W. Holden, one of the finest racing strokes in Oxford rowing history never to win a Blue.
The two Blues behind him, R. C. I. Bate and J. C. D. Sherratt, rowed admirably and with five other members of last year's eight the Hall were certainly the most experienced crew at Oxford. They were also one of the lightest, averaging under 12st.
The two other outstandingly successful crews in an Eights Week in which the overall standard was certainly higher than in recent years were St. John's and Keble. St. John's made four bumps, bringing their total in five years to 20, a phenomenal performance. Keble made five and established themselves in the First Division for the first time since 1905.
There is a tendency in some quarters to write off St. John's crews as rough and ready. I can see little wrong with their style, which owes much to the teaching of S. A. Mackenzie, and I doubt if any College pays more fanatical attention to achieving maximum fitness.
Keble looked technically the best crew. They have a fine stroke in J. L. Dent, but I believe that much of their inspiration comes from their captain, S. C. Godesen, who now has 12 bumps to his credit.
Of the rest of the First Division, Lincoln, who bumped Magdalen and Merton but could make no impression on Christ Church, had the satisfaction of finishing third, their highest-ever position. Their previous best was fourth in 1868.
Balliol up 3 places — Value of Novices Scheme
Balliol also did well, gaining three places. There were a strong crew, one of whose most effective members looked to be Prince Harald of Norway, whose presence in it was convincing proof of the value of the University novices' training scheme introduced last October.Of the crews still in the Second Division New College were the best on Saturday. But they took two days to find the form of which they were obviously capable. As the crew included two or three potential Blues, it is as well that they did so.
Exeter justified my view that they were above their average of recent years by making four good bumps.
St. Edmund Hall II were again the top second boat and though they lost a place to St. Peter's on the second night they subsequently gained two at the expense of the first boats of St. Catherine's and Wadham. In the Fourth Division Keble II went up four places.
Of the College first crews Trinity and St. Catherine's had the worst week, each going down every night. Brasenose and University both lost three places. During the four days there were 115 bumps. Crews to make four or more bumps were St. John's, Keble, Exeter, St. Peter's Hall, New College II, Keble II, University III, St. Edmund Hall III, Oriel III, and Merton III.
Keble, St. John's and New College completed the week without any of their crews being bumped.
[Head crew - as below] [List of Bumps and Finishing Order]
Return to Bumps Index