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These annual races were begun yesterday on the Isis at Oxford, and, as the weather was delightfully fine, there was a large attendance of spectators on the banks and college barges. The frost of the previous night, when the thermometer indicated 18deg. [-8oC], had covered the river with ice, but rowing was practicable through the wind having broken the ice up. The number of boats racing was two fewer than last year, the New College third boat and the St. Edmund Hall's boat having been taken off.The races were rowed in three divisions, and in the third, which started at half-past 2, the following was the order: Queen's, Christ Church II, Exeter, Oriel, St. John's, Trinity II, Keble II, Wadham, Jesus, and St. Catherine's. Christ Church II were compelled to give in to Exeter before reaching the Gut, and Trinity II were run into by Keble II at the Green Bank.
In the second division, an hour later, the order was Corpus, Keble, Christ Church, Balliol II, Magdalen II, New College II, Lincoln, Brasenose II, Worcester, and Queen's. Balliol II began to gain on Christ Church from the start, and overtook them at the Red Post; New College II succeeded in getting with a couple of feet of Magdalen II at the Cherwell, but the latter kept their position.
The first division order of starting was New College, University, Brasenose, Magdalen, Balliol, Pembroke, Hertford, Trinity, Merton, and Corpus. The leading boats maintained their position with ease. There was an excellent race between Hertford and Trinity, but the former got away. Pembroke got within half a length of Balliol. The only bump effected was by Corpus, who caught Merton in the Gut.
These races were continued at Oxford yesterday afternoon. The third division rowed in the following order :— Queen's, Exeter, Christ Church II, Oriel, St. John's, Keble II, Trinity II, Wadham, Jesus, and St. Catherine's. Exeter are strongly represented, and before the Long Bridges were reached they succeeded in overtaking Queen's. Oriel showed themselves much superior to Christ Church II, and made their bump near the Freewater Stone. Wadham caught Trinity II before the Ferry was reached.The second division order of starting was :— Merton, Keble, Balliol II, Christ Church, Magdalen II, New College II, Lincoln, Brasenose II, Worcester, and Exeter. After a hard struggle Merton maintained their position. Keble being overhauled by Balliol II in the Gut, Christ Church went in pursuit of Merton and were within a length of them at the finish. Magdalen II were complled to give way to New College II at the Willows. An exciting race between Lincoln and Brasenose II resulted in the latter proving successful just after passing the boathouse, and Exeter made their second bump by lowering the colours of Worcester a short distance from the Long Bridges.
The first division order of starting was :— New College, University, Brasenose, Magdalen, Balliol, Pembroke, Hertford, Trinity, Corpus, and Merton. New College had no difficulty in preserving the headship, but University were hardly pressed by Brasenose. Hertford displaced Pembroke opposite the boathouse, and this proved to be the only bump in the upper division [actually Trinity bumped Hertford, correction published in Tuesday article]
The weather was most genial on Saturday afternoon, and consequently the attendance at the Torpid Races at Oxford was larger than on the two previous days. Fortunately the floating ice, which caused considerable inconvenience to the crews on Friday, had to a large extent disappeared.The third division of boats started in the following order :— Worcester, Queen's, Oriel, Christ Church 2, St. John's, Keble 2, Wadham, Trinity 2, Jesus, and St. Catharine's. Worcester kept well away, but Queen's were hardly pressed by Oriel, who, after an exciting struggle, made the bump opposite the Corpus barge. Christ Church 2 found themselves closely pursued by St. John's, but succeeded in maintaining their position at the finish by about half a length. Jesus got within a length of Trinity 2.
In the second division the order of start was :— Merton, Balliol 2, Keble, Christ Church, New College 2, Magdalen 2, Brasenose 2, Lincoln, Exeter, and Worcester. Merton were soon in trouble from Balliol 2, who came up rapidly and overtook them opposite the Freewater stone. Keble were indulged with a row-over, as Christ Church were compelled to give way to New College 2 before the Long Bridges were reached. Brasenose 2 gained upon Magdalen 2, although at no period were the latter in serious danger of being caught. Exeter again displayed capital form, and succeeded in making the fourth bump in three days by displacing Lincoln within a few yards of the Ferry.
The first division order of starting was :— New College, University, Brasenose, Magdalen, Balliol, Pembroke, Trinity, Hertford, Corpus, Balliol 2. New College had no difficulty in keeping their position, but University had some difficulty in escaping Brasenose. From the Long Bridges to the Cherwell there was a splendid race, but from that point University gradually drew away and finished a length to the good. Balliol 2 justified the flattering opinion which had been formed of them by overtaking Corpus before reaching the Gut, and thus credited themselves with two bumps in the same afternoon, and also obtained a record of four bumps in three days.
The treasurer of the Oxford University Boat Club (Mr. Lightfoot), in the absence of the president, issued a notice yesterday to the effect that, as the Isis was blocked with ice, the torpid races would not be continued that day [Monday], but that in the event of the river's being sufficiently clear they would be resumed to-day. In our account of the racing on Friday it was stated in error that Hertford displaced Pembroke. Hertford were bumped by Trinity.
A change in the weather took place on Monday night, and the Isis was sufficiently clear of ice to allow the Torpid races, which were postponed from the previous day, to be continued yesterday afternoonThe third division of boats started in the following order :— Worcester, Oriel, Queen's, Christ Church 2, St. John's, Keble 2, Wadham, Trinity 2, Jesus, and St. Catherine's. Oriel gained on Worcester, the former finishing nearly a length to the good. Queen's were allowed a row over as St. John's, after a capital race, caught Christ Church 2 at the Willows. Trinity 2 were pressed by Jesus, the latter at one time being within three-quarters of a length of them.
In the second division the order of start was :— Corpus, Merton, Keble, New College 2, Christ Church, Magdalen 2, Brasenose 2, Exeter, Lincoln, and Worcester. Keble gained rapidly on Merton and made the bump at the ferry. Exeter, who had distinguished themselves by scoring four bumps in three days' racing, were again successful. They overtook Brasenose 2 before the Gut was reached.
The first division order of start was as follows :— New College, University, Brasenose, Magdalen, Balliol, Pembroke, Trinity, Hertford, Balliol 2, and Corpus. A determined effort by University to overtake the leading boat was not successful, although at one period they were within half a length of doing so. Balliol 2, who shared with Exeter the honour of having already made four bumps, were once more successful, catching Hertford at the Weirs-bridge.
It is understood that the races will conclude to-morrow [Wednesday] unless strong representations are made by the captains for an additional day to make up for the postponement on Monday.
The Torpids races at Oxford were brought to a conclusion yesterday afternoon. The attendance was not so large as usual on the last day of racing owing to the cheerless weather.The article ends by listing the start and finish order for the week.The third division started in the following order :— Worcester, Oriel, Queen's, St. John's, Christ Church 2, Keble 2, Wadham, Trinity 2, Jesus, and St. Catherine's. Oriel showed greatly improved form, and, after an exciting struggle, succeeded in overtaking Worcester at the Boathouse. Queen's were very hardly pressed by St. John's, and the latter were unfortunate in not making the bump, a succession of "crabs" spoiling their chance when victory seemed certain. There was a good race between Christ Church 2 and Keble 2. The former eventually had to give way under the Willows. Jesus gained upon Trinity 2, but failed to reach them by about a third of a length.
In the second division the order of starting was :— Corpus, Keble, Merton, New College 2, Christ Church, Magdalen 2, Exeter, Brasenose 2, Lincoln and Oriel. Merton were again unfortunate as they were bumped by New College 2 before reaching the Long Bridges, this being the fourth place they have lost since the races began. Magdalen 2 strugged bravely to escape Exeter but failed to do so, the latter continuing their successful course by making their bump opposite the Corpus barge. There was a good race between Lincoln and Oriel, at one point only half a length separating the boats.
The first division order of starting was as follows :— New College, University, Brasenose, Magdalen, Balliol, Pembroke, Trinity, Balliol 2, Hertford, and Corpus. New College did not any great difficulty in maintaining the headship, although University made a plucky effort to overtake them. Only half a length separated the boats at one time. Balliol 2 equalled the feat of Exeter in making six bumps in five nights by displacing Trinity before reaching the Long Bridges.