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The Oxford Torpid races start to-day, and continue until next Wednesday. There are, as usual, three divisions, and the number of entries are the same as last year, thirty-nine, the withdrawal of Pembroke II and Christ Church III being counterbalanced by Queen's putting on a second crew and Magdalen a third. The order of starting is: [...]
The Torpids were begun yesterday with 39 crews competing in three Divisions. Although the wind was keen, there was little of it, and it was fine overhead with a rather sluggish stream running.The racing was not exciting for those who watched above the Boathouse. In all 13 bumps were made. Magdalen held their own at the head of the river without being extended and look like retaining their position throughout the week. Wadham, who started next to them, fell an easy prey to Worcester, and Corpus, Oriel, and St. John's were all bumped. Balliol II, who bumped St. John's, thus won their way out of the Second Division, and may before long row just behind their first crew, who are only two places ahead.
In the Third Division, in which Jesus remained at the top, there was the unusual incident of an overbump, as Balliol III were well clear of Exeter II, who were bumped by St. John's II in the Gut. Balliol fell away completely along the Green Bank and, failing to recover, were bumped just before reaching the Cherwell, by Magdalen II, with whom they have now to change place. There were a series of disasters further behind, as several of the crews were not in position when the gun was fired, and Oriel II went across the river and lost their place to Merton II Magdalen III rowed past Queen's II before they could get started.
Third Division Order of Starting.— Jesus, New College II, Balliol III, Exeter II, St John's II, Magdalen II, Hertford, Brasenose II, Worcester II, Oriel II, Merton II, Christ Church II, Queen's II, Magdalen III. Jesus contented themselves with paddling and, after having a lead of three lengths over New College II at half-way, they finished that distance ahead. St. John's II soon drew up on Exeter II, who were some distance behind Balliol III when they were bumped by St. John's coming through the Gut. Then Balliol III went all to pieces as their oarsmen had a succession of catching crabs, and Magdalen II, making the most of their opportunity, drew up on Balliol and caught them just before reaching the Cherwell. Magdalen II thus gained three places. Hertford paddled over. Brasenose II, who followed them, were bumped by Worcester II at the Bridges. Lower down there was something of a fiasco as three or four of the boats had not got into line when the starting gun was fired. In consequence, Oriel II found themselves in the bank and were passed by Merton II, and as Queen's II failed to make a start Magdalen III rowed past them.
Second Division Order of Starting.— Balliol II, St. Catherine's, St. Edmund Hall, Brasenose, Exeter, Lincoln, Trinity, Pembroke, Keble II, Wadham II, St. Peter's Hall, University College II, Queen's, Jesus. Balliol II came through at their leisure. St. Catherine's, who followed, were bumped by St. Edmund Hall at the start of the Green Bank. Exeter soon drew up on Brasenose, and coming out of the Gut, were well on to them. A little higher up Exeter tried for a bump and, under the impression that they had made it they eased up. Brasenose, however, continued rowing and Exeter after some time had to get going again to keep clear of Lincoln, who were some distance behind at the time. Brasenose eventually got home with a length and a half to spare. Pembroke went away very fast from the start and overtook Trinity at the Weirs Bridge, being well ahead of Keble II at the time. Wadham II were quickly overhauled by St. Peter's Hall, who made a bump at the Ferry. Queen's got away none too well, but gained rapidly on University College II, and bumped them near Haystack Corner.
First Division Order of Starting.— Magdalen, Wadham, Worcester, Christ Church, Keble, Corpus, University College, Oriel, New College, Balliol, Merton, St. John's, Balliol II. Magdalen paddled over. Wadham, who were hard pressed by Worcester coming out of the Gut, were bumped under the Willows. Christ Church had to row hard to escape Keble, but they were never in immediate danger of being caught and passed the post a length ahead. Corpus made a good effort to escape University College, but after they got out of Iffley Reach University College came up rapidly and made a bump at the Freewater Stone. It was much the same thing with Oriel and New College. Oriel held their own until they were coming out of the Gut, but then they were bumped. Balliol drew rapidly away from Merton, who were not within three or four lengths at the finish. The Balliol second crew improved their position by catching St. John's as they came throught the Gut.
The Oxford Torpids started in fine weather yesterday. The third division provided one or two unusual features. Balliol III, who had Exeter [II] and St. John's [II] between themselves and Magdalen [II], lost a place to the latter through an over-bump, due to a series of crabs. Then Oriel [II] were late in getting to the post, and Merton [II] rowed past, claiming a bump. Queen's [II] had similar bad luck, as they could not straighten their boat when the starting pistol was fired, and, fouling the bank, were caught by Magdalen [III].Magdalen easily kept their position at the head of the river. Bumps are indicated by brackets in the following table: [...]
Delightful weather again favoured the Torpid Races at Oxford yesterday, but things were not quite so pleasant from the rowing point of view, as the crews had to contend with a fairly strong head wind over the greater part of the course. Bumps were again plentiful, no fewer than 15 being made in the three divisions.The disputed bump between Exeter and Brasenose was adjudicated on by the Committee, whose decision was in favour of Brasenose, and, after hearing evidence with regard to the start in the Third Division, the five boats concerned Oriel II, Merton II, Queen's II, Christ Church II, and Magdalen III were ordered to row again in the morning. As a result Queen's II succeeded in gaining a place at the expense of Christ Church II in Iffley Reach.
Third Division Order of Starting.— Jesus, New College II, Magdalen II, St John's II, Exeter II, Balliol III, Hertford, Worcester II, Brasenose II, Oriel II, Merton II, Queen's II, Christ Church II, Magdalen III. Jesus again came up head of the division without unduly exerting themselves. Through some misunderstanding the three succeeding boats started at the minute gun and were unable to regain their places and get in line before the signal gun was fired. Of the three New College had profited most and were well away from Magdalen II when Magdalen got going. Magdalen soon began to reduce the lead and, coming up fast after leaving the Gut, made a bump at the Crossing, leaving St. John's to paddle up. Balliol III soon had the measure of Exeter II and bumped them at the end of Iffley Reach. Hertford and Worcester II had a good race. Worcester gained considerably over the first half of the course, but Hertford kept away and finished with a length in hand. Oriel II gained on Brasenose II and, although Brasenose came out of the Gut with a substantial lead, Oriel caught up on them along the Green Bank and bumped them at the Lincoln Barge. Queen's II, who had bumped Christ Church II in the rerow earlier in the day, made another bump, catching Merton II at the Weirs Bridge.
Second Division Order of Starting.— St. John's St. Edmund Hall, St. Catherine's, Brasenose, Exeter, Lincoln, Pembroke, Trinity, Keble II, St. Peter's Hall, Wadham II, Queen's, University College II, Jesus. A good race up Iffley Reach ended in St. Edmund Hall catching St. John's coming through the Gut. St. Edmund Hall thus secured the head of the division. A keen struggle was seen between St. Catherine's and Brasenose, who were within a quarter of a length coming out of the Gut, but St. Catherine's stuck to it well and reached the University Boathouse before being bumped. Exeter rowed over. Lincoln were bumped by Pembroke near the Free Ferry. St. Peter's Hall followed up their previous success by bumping Keble II at the commencement of the Gut. Wadham II were quite unable to withstand a determined challenge by Queen's at the start and were bumped at Haystack Corner. Jesus bumped University College II.
First Division Order of Starting.— Magdalen, Worcester, Wadham, Christ Church, Keble, University College, Corpus, New College, Oriel, Balliol, Merton, Balliol II, St. Edmund Hall. Magdalen again rowed over a long way ahead. Christ Church bumped Wadham at the Long Bridges. University College bumped Keble at the Cherwell, New College bumped Corpus in the Gut, Balliol I bumped Oriel at the Weirs Bridge, and Balliol II bumped Merton at the Magdalen Barge.
There were many bumps in the Oxford University Torpid races yesterday, no fewer than fifteen being recorded in the three divisions. The bump claimed by Exeter over Brasenose the previous afternoon was disallowed, and the Boat Club, in dealing with the unsatisfactory start in the Third Division, ordered the five boats concerned to row again, when Queen's II gained a place by bumping Christ Church II near Weirs Bridge.St. Edmund Hall deprived St. John's of the headship of the Second Division, which gave them an entry in to the First, a position they have never before occupied. There was another remarkable incident in the Third Division, when three or four crews started off when the minute gun was fired. No one suffered thereby. Bumps are recorded with brackets in the following table: [...]
The Torpid Races have seldom been rowed in worse conditions than was the case on Saturday, a light fall of snow during the early part of the afternoon being followed by a thick blizzard when the First Division rowed up.Thirteen bumps were recorded in the three divisions, and again Magdalen maintained their position at the Head of the River without extending themselves. Each of the Balliol crews once more made a bump in the First Division, and will probably go up still farther. St. Edmund Hall bumped Merton in the First Division, and Magdalen II entered the Second Division by bumping University College II, whose first crew, however, bumped Wadham in the First Division.
Third Division Order of Starting:— University College II, Magdalen II, New College II, St John's II, Balliol III, Exeter II, Hertford, Worcester II, Oriel II, Brasenose II, Queen's II, Merton II, Christ Church II, Magdalen III. Magdalen II got well away at the start, and, making ground rapidly, secured the headship of the division by bumping University College II at the Free Ferry. St. John's II gained on New College II up to the Willows, but the latter crew held them after passing the Boathouse and reached the post a length in front. Balliol III at one point gained slightly on St. John's II, but St. John's went right away on reaching the Wall and finished fully their starting distance ahead. There was an interesting race between Exeter II and Hertford, who were well up at the Bridges and made a good effort which resulted in their gaining a bump near the New Boathouse [OUBC Boathouse?]. Worcester II got clear away from Oriel II, who were four lengths behind at the finish, but Brasenose II were quite outpaced by Queen's II, who were right up at the Weir's Bridge and made their bump before reaching the Ferry. There was a good race between Merton II and Christ Church II, but Merton held their own to the end and finished with half a length in hand.
Second Division Order of Starting:— St. Edmund Hall, St. John's Brasenose, St. Catherine's, Exeter, Pembroke, Lincoln, Trinity, St. Peter's Hall, Keble II, Queen's, Wadham II, Jesus, Magdalen II. St. Edmund Hall paddled up after being well away from St. John's, who were bumped by Brasenose along the Green Bank. St. Catherine's lost ground to Exeter in Iffley Reach, and Exeter were well up coming out of the Gut. St. Catherine's, however, offered a stubborn resistance, and reached the University Boathouse before they were bumped, Pembroke at the time being about a length up on Exeter. Lincoln were bumped by Trinity under the Willows, leaving St. Peter's Hall to paddle through. Keble II, who followed, were bumped by Queen's at the Free Ferry. Wadham II started very badly, and were bumped by Jesus near Haystack Corner.
First Division Order of Starting:— Magdalen, Worcester, Christ Church, Wadham, University College, Keble, New College, Corpus, Balliol, Oriel, Balliol II, Merton, St. Edmund Hall. In a blinding snowstorm Magdalen paddled up at the Head of the River a good three lengths in front of Worcester, who finished rather more than a length ahead of Christ Church. Wadham soon lost distance to University College, who made a fine effort after passing the Weir's Bridge and made their bump near the Free Water Stone. Keble and New College had the best race of the afternoon, and after an exciting struggle along the Wall New College made their bump opposite the Corpus Barge. Balliol bumped Corpus near the Weir's Bridge, and their second crew, after a rather more prolonged struggle, bumped Oriel coming out of the Gut. There was a very good race for half the distance between Merton and St. Edmund Hall, who firmly established themselves in the division with a bump under the Willows.
The weather conditions for the third day's racing in the Oxford torpids on Saturday were wintry, snow falling heavily at one time, while there was a keen nor'-easter blowing. There were thirteen bumps. Magdalen again easily held their own at the head of the river. Their second crew, who are very fast, have got up into the second division.The eagerly-anticipated race between the two Balliol crews did not take place, as the Balliol first crew caught Corpus.
The bumps, given below, are shown by brackets: [...]
Magdalen Paddle OverThe Torpid races were continued at Oxford yesterday in greatly improved weather, and what wind there was blew across the river. Magdalen paddled over to retain the Headship of the River and the two Balliol crews for the third afternoon in succession each gained a bump, their first crew bumping Keble and their second crew bumping Corpus.
Third Division Order of Starting.— Magdalen II, University College II, New College II, St John's II, Balliol III, Hertford, Exeter II, Worcester II, Oriel II, Queen's II, Brasenose II, Merton II, Christ Church II, Magdalen III. Magdalen II paddled over, but University College II, who were slow in starting, were bumped by New College II in the Gut. St. John's II kept well away from Balliol III, who lost distance to Hertford coming up Iffley Reach. They still held a substantial advantage at the Willows, but the Hertford cox gained a lot of ground by a good crossing, and Hertford made their bump opposite Talboy's barge. There was a good race between Worcester II, Oriel II, and Queen's II. Queen's II were making rapid headway on Oriel II when the Worcester II stroke caught a crab, and Oriel II escaped disaster by bumping Worcester II at Weir's Bridge, Queen's II being well within a length of them at the time. Brasenose II paddled through, but Merton II were bumped by Christ Church II at the Long Bridges.
Second Division Order of Starting.— Merton, Brasenose, St. John's Exeter, St. Catherine's, Pembroke, Trinity, Lincoln, St. Peter's Hall, Queen's, Keble II, Jesus, Wadham II, Magdalen II. Merton took matters pretty leisurely all the way up, and finished fully three lengths ahead of Brasenose. St. John's were soon in trouble, and, Exeter gaining in Iffley Reach, made their bump at the end of the Gut. St. Catherine's had a good race with Pembroke, who, however, came up strongly along the Willows and bumped them at the Red Post. Trinity finished lengths ahead of Lincoln, who had had a very hard race with St. Peter's Hall lower down. St. Peter's Hall were pressing them hard after passing the Ferry, while Queen's were gaining steadily on St. Peter's Hall, and an exciting race ended in St. Peter's Hall losing a place to Queen's coming out of the Gut. Lincoln therefore escaped disaster. Jesus came up Iffley Reach in determined fashion, and actually overlapped Keble in the Gut. They then fell away, however, and Keble II ultimately finished with a substantial margin in hand. Wadham II were outclassed by Magdalen II, who drew up from the start and bumped them at Haystack Corner.
First Division Order of Starting.— Magdalen, Worcester, Christ Church, University College, Wadham, New College, Keble, Balliol, Corpus, Balliol II, Oriel, St. Edmund Hall, Merton. Magdalen again had an easy task, and paddled through. Worcester, however, failed to get home for the first time, Christ Church, after being close up at the Free Water Stone, bumping them at the Red Post. Wadham continued their downward career, and provided New College with their fourth bump at the Long Bridges. There was a good race between Keble and Balliol, who were pressing hard when coming through the Gut. Their coxswain got too close in, however, and they fouled the bank. Keble failed to profit by the mishap and Balliol drew up again along the Green Bank and eventually made their bump at the Corpus Barge. Balliol II had a much easier task, for they soon had the measure of Corpus, whom they overtook at the Free Ferry. St. Edmund's Hall bumped Oriel at the Free Water Stone.
The fourth day's racing in the Oxford Torpids yesterday was marked by the usual upsets of form after the intervening day's rest. In the Third Division Worcester II, who had made one bump and then rowed over on two days, lost a place through a crab soon after the start. In the Second Division Queen's made their fourth consecutive bump, as also did Magdalen II, who, as a result of an overbump, have now gone up six places.Magdalen held their own at the head of the river, and New College and Balliol II each made their fourth bumps. There were thirteen bumps during the day, and the total in the four days is fifty-three.
Bumps are indicated by brackets in the following table:[...]
The fifth day's racing again provided 13 bumps, five each in the First and Second Divisions. It was again bitterly cold, with a strong north-easterly wind. Just before the First Division rowed up there was a snowstorm.Magdalen again paddled up head of the division, and, although they had Christ Church behind them this time, they finished farther ahead than on any previous day. University College, as was expected, overtook Worcester, being hotly pursued by New College, who were well within their distance when University College made their bump. As usual, the two Balliol crews each met with a further success, the first crew catching Wadham and the second Keble. The second crew will thus be prevented from trying to catch the first. The second crew accomplished quite an unusual performance, as they gained a place over Keble without actually making a bump. Balliol II were pressing hard coming out of the Gut and Keble were steering across the stream. The Balliol cox slipped along under the Willows and they rowed past, which is equivalent to a bump. St. Edmund Hall again improved their position, and Merton got out of the Second Division with a bump over Oriel in Iffley Reach.
Only four crews rowed through in the Second Division. Merton kept their place at the head of the Division. Exeter bumped Brasenose early. Behind them Pembroke improved their position without much difficulty, at the expense of St. John's, and Trinity at one time looked like doing the same, as they were almost overlapping St. Catherine's coming through the Gut, but they failed to maintain the pace and St. Catherine's, making a fine recovery, reached home with a wide margin in hand. St. Peter's Hall failed to maintain the form they had shown on Friday when they bumped Keble II, who turned the tables by bumping them near the Red Post. Magdalen II continued their victorious career unchecked by overtaking Jesus, and now have seven bumps to their credit.
Only three bumps were made in the Third Division. New College II deprived Wadham II of the head place before half the course had been covered. Like Wadham, University College II continued their downward career unchecked by falling victims to St. John's II. A little higher up a crab in the early part of the course had brought Worcester II down to Oriel II the previous afternoon, but luck now befriended Worcester, who were able to recover their position through Oriel II breaking a rudder-line coming through the Gut. The other crews finished in their starting order well away from each other.
Third Division Order of Starting.— Wadham II, New College II, University College II, St John's II, Hertford, Balliol III, Exeter II, Oriel II, Worcester II, Queen's II, Brasenose II, Christ Church II, Merton II, Magdalen III. Wadham lost the top place in the division to New College II, who gained rapidly in Iffley Reach and bumped them near the Freewater Stone. University College II held St. John's II until they entered the Gut. Then St. John's drew right up and bumped them at the bottom of the Green Bank. Hertford had then gained considerably on St. John's II. A big gap separated Hertford from Balliol III, who had to row hard to escape Exeter II, who finished within three-quarters of a length. Oriel II, who had bumped Worcester II the previous afternoon, had a slice of bad luck, for coming through the Gut one of their rudder-lines broke and they went into the bank for Worcester to row past them. Queen's II maintained their starting distance in front of Brasenose II, and the remaining crews came up a long way apart.
Second Division Order of Starting.— Merton, Brasenose, Exeter, St. John's Pembroke, St. Catherine's, Trinity, Lincoln, Queen's, St. Peter's Hall, Keble II, Jesus, Magdalen II, New College II. Merton rowed up head of the division. Brasenose, who followed, were overtaken by Exeter as the boats were coming out of the Gut. St. John's lost rapidly in Iffley Reach and failed to withstand the determined challenge of Pembroke, who made their bump just before reaching the Free Water Stone. There was an exciting race between St. Catherine's and Trinity, for Trinity went close up coming through the Gut, but St. Catherine's made a good recovery, drew away again, and eventually finished two lengths ahead. Queen's again asserted themselves by getting well on to Lincoln in Iffley Reach, and they bumped them near the Free Ferry. St. Peter's Hall held Keble II until they were coming out of the Gut, when they fell away and were bumped at the Red Post. Magdalen II further improved their position by catching Jesus under the Willows.
First Division Order of Starting.— Magdalen, Christ Church, Worcester, University College, New College, Wadham, Balliol, Keble, Balliol II, Corpus, St. Edmund Hall, Oriel, Merton. Magdalen paddled up, finishing four lengths ahead of Christ Church. Worcester and University College had a most interesting race. University College were well up coming through the Gut; Worcester answered with a spurt, but after a desperate struggle finally were bumped at the University Boat House. New College at the time had gained considerably on University College. Balliol bumped Wadham coming through the Gut, and the second Balliol boat, after pressing Keble hotly up Iffley Reach found a clear course under the Willows, after getting out of the Gut, and rowed past them, which constituted a bump. Corpus were unable to withstand the determined challenge of St. Edmund Hall soon after the start and were bumped at the Weirs Bridge, where Oriel also were bumped by Merton.
There were thirteen bumps, for the third time in succession, in the Oxford Torpids races yesterday. Magdalen again held their own with ease at the head of the river, and nothing but an accident can deprive them of their lead.St. Edmund Hall and Queen's, both recorded their fifth bumps. The day's bumps are recorded by brackets in the following table: [...]
Magdalen's SuccessesThe article lists names and schools of Magdalen, Magdalen II., S.E.H. and Balliol II [below]The Torpid Races were brought to a conclusion yesterday in fine but bitterly cold weather with a strong north-easterly wind blowing down-stream. The racing was prolific in bumps, and no fewer than 80 were made during the week. This rather indicates that there was an unusual number of moderate crews.
Magdalen, who started Head of the River, maintained their position thoughout without the slightest difficulty, and must have been several lengths faster than any other crew. They were stroked by an oarsman [Hughes] from Bishop's Stortford, a school that has not often been associated with Oxford rowing, and included two Americans [Whipple and Black] from West Point Military Academy, New York. Their second crew, which had an Etonian [Green-Wilkinson] at stroke, was also very fast, and achieved a remarkable success, as, thanks to an overbump on the first day, they were able to finish up with a record of eight bumps for the six days' racing. It is quite probable that they might have claimed further victims if time had permitted.
Balliol was another college that met with marked success. While their first crew made four bumps, their second eclipsed this with six, and a great deal of interest would have been taken in a race between the two crews, but unfortunately another boat always intervened. St. Edmund Hall eclipsed all their previous performances on the river by making no fewer than four bumps in the First Division, with a record of six altogether. Queen's also did remarkably well, their first crew gaining five places and their second four. Pembroke had five bumps the their credit.
On the other hand some crews had a bitter experience. The Wadham First and Second crews lost a place each day, and Corpus and Oriel also failed to row through any afternoon.
In yesterday's racing four bumps were made in the Third Division. New College II retained the top place without difficulty, leaving off with a gain of one place. Wadham II were bumped by St. John's II at the Green Bank. Hertford also improved their position, although at one time University College II looked like escaping from them. Exeter II, thanks to a bit of luck, regained the place they had lost to Balliol III, the Balliol coxswain fouling a punt immediately after the start. Queen's II bumped Oriel II at the Free Ferry.
Bumps were again plentiful in the Second Division. Exeter secured the top place by bumping Oriel half-way up. All the other bumps were made before the Willows. St. Catherine's, after something had gone wrong with their steering at the start, took no further part in the race. That was possibly a fortunate occurrence for Trinity, who thus escaped the danger of being caught by Queen's, who had gained a place each previous afternoon. Lincoln went down again, bumped by Keble II, and the irrepressible Magdalen II claimed a further victim in St. Peter's Hall before reaching the Weir's Bridge. Pembroke bumped Brasenose at the Long Bridges.
Magdalen, the head boat, paddled over in the First Division, in which four bumps were made. Balliol II continued their victorious progress, bumping Wadham at the Green Bank, but their first crew had their upward career checked, as New College caught Worcester at the Gut. St. Edmund Hall went up again by bumping Keble, and Merton got well into the division by bumping Corpus.
The Oxford Torpid races were concluded yesterday, when Magdalen, rowing over each night, maintained their position at the head of the river. Balliol II and Magdalen II were the most successful crews with six bumps each, and St. Edmund Hall, Pembroke, and Queen's each made five. The Magdalen crew are: [names and schools as in The Times although some initials different: W. T. Fletcher-Campbell, J. M. M. C. Fisher, C. A. M. Macdonald]