Torpids 1934

BUMPS CHART

STANDINGS Start Finish Pos College Pts Pts College 1 Balliol 46 51 Balliol 2 Magdalen 44 46 Magdalen 3 Christ Church 37 37 Christ Church 4 University 35 37 New College 5 New College 34 33 University 6 Worcester 27 22 St Edmund Hall 7 Wadham 23 21 Keble 8 Keble 22 20 Worcester 9 St Edmund Hall 18 16 Corpus Christi 10 Merton 16 16 Merton 11 Exeter 14 15 Oriel 12 Corpus Christi 14 14 Exeter 13 Oriel 13 13 Brasenose 14 St John's 12 13 Wadham 15 Brasenose 11 12 St John's 16 Pembroke 10 8 Pembroke 17 Queen's 8 8 Trinity 18 Trinity 8 6 Queen's 19 St Catherine's 7 6 St Catherine's 20 St Peter's 5 6 Jesus 21 Lincoln 5 5 St Peter's 22 Jesus 4 5 Lincoln 23 Hertford 4 4 Hertford

STATISTICS College All Crews [ ]=rank Crews Bps Avg Brasenose 2[ 2] 7[ 1] 3.50[ 2] Magdalen 2[ 2] 4[ 2] 2.00[ 3] University 2[ 2] 4[ 2] 2.00[ 3] Jesus 1[16] 4[ 2] 4.00[ 1] Christ Church 2[ 2] 3[ 5] 1.50[ 7] St Edmund Hall 1[16] 2[ 6] 2.00[ 3] Corpus Christi 1[16] 2[ 6] 2.00[ 3] Balliol 2[ 2] 2[ 6] 1.00[ 8] New College 3[ 1] 1[ 9] 0.33[ 9] Oriel 2[ 2] 0[10] 0.00[10] Exeter 2[ 2] 0[10] 0.00[10] Merton 2[ 2] 0[10] 0.00[10] Lincoln 1[16] 0[10] 0.00[10] St Peter's 2[ 2] 0[10] 0.00[10] Trinity 1[16] 0[10] 0.00[10] Hertford 2[ 2] 0[10] 0.00[10] St Catherine's 1[16] -1[17] -1.00[17] Pembroke 1[16] -2[18] -2.00[19] St John's 2[ 2] -2[18] -1.00[17] Worcester 1[16] -3[20] -3.00[22] Queen's 2[ 2] -5[21] -2.50[20] Keble 2[ 2] -5[21] -2.50[20] Wadham 2[ 2] -11[23] -5.50[23]

• 6 days: Thu 15 – Wed 21 Feb, 1934
• Video from Wed 21 Feb [British Pathe] filmed from various points along the course.
• The Times Fri 16 Feb includes a photograph with the caption

  Exeter II. bumping University College II. in Division III. of the Torpid races, which were begun at Oxford yesterday in favourable weather. Thirty-nine crews entered, the same number as last year.

• The Times Thu 15 Feb, from Our Special Correspondent

  The Torpid races will be begun at Oxford to-day, the Third Division rowing first at half-past two. Thirty-nine crews have again entered. Balliol and Magdalen have each taken off their third crew, and Worcester their second, but New College will now be represented by a third crew, and both St. Peter's Hall and Hertford are putting on second crews.

  Magdalen start Head of the River, and, although possibly not such a good crew as last year, they have been improving very much lately. Christ Church, who lost their stroke, H. J. R. Barker, early in their practice, have found a very efficient substitute in D. P. Paton. University College and New College are both represented by good crews, and of the lower boats Exeter may work their way well into the First Division. Brasenose, who are well down in the Second Division, look like recovering some of their lost prestige.

  The order of starting will be :— [...]

• The Times Fri 16 Feb, from Our Special Correspondent

  Few Bumps Recorded

  The good luck that has attended the Torpids crews throughout their practice did not desert them yesterday, when the racing began in a light north-easterly breeze which neither helped not hindered.

  There were 39 crews competing, the same number as last year. Magdalen III, Balliol III, and Worcester II were not entered, but their places were filled by New College III, St. Peter's Hal II and Hertford II. The racing was not very exciting and only nine bumps were made in the three divisions, a very poor record for an opening day. Magdalen started Head of the River, and from the comparative ease with which they held Christ Church would appear likely to maintain their headship. New College must have worried University College coming through the Gut, but some indifferent steering enabled the latter to get away again. The best race of the day was between Corpus and Exeter. Corpus were well away at the Boathouse, but Exeter made a brilliant effort along the Wall and missed their bump by only two or three yards. There was something of a fiasco in the Third Division, when one of the University College II crew lost his oar and they were bumped by Exeter II Hertford were said to have hampered University College, and Queen's II claimed to have bumped Exeter II before the latter caught University College II The matter was brought before the Committee, who awarded Exeter II the bump.

  Third Division
  Order of Starting.— New College II, St. John's II, Wadham II, Hertford, University College II, Exeter II, Queen's II, Oriel II, Brasenose II, Christ Church II, Merton II, New College III, St. Peter's Hall II, Hertford II. New College got well away from St. John's II and, gaining all the way up, passed the post four lengths to the good. Wadham II began badly, and quickly lost ground to Hertford, who were well up at the launch works and made their bump at the Ferry. An exciting race followed between University College II, Exeter II, and Queen's II, who were close together in the Gut, where the University College No. 3 lost his oar and they were bumped by Exeter, who had Queen's II pressing them hard at the time. Brasenose II made up on Oriel II from the start and, with a determined effort at the end of Iffley Reach, made their bump at the Ferry. Christ Church II managed to keep well away from Merton, who, however, were being steadily overhauled by New College III along the Green Bank, and were finally overtaken at the Worcester Barge, St. Peter's Hall II and Hertford II came up their distance apart.

  Second Division
  Order of Starting.— Exeter, Oriel, Pembroke, Brasenose, St. John's, Trinity, St. Catherine's, Queen's, Keble II, Lincoln, Magdalen II, St. Peter's Hall, Jesus, New College II. Exeter held their own against Oriel without any great difficulty over the first half of the course, but after passing the Boathouse Oriel made considerable ground and finished within a length. Rowing a lively stroke Brasenose gained steadily on Pembroke in Iffley Reach, and a determined effort by Pembroke after passing Ferry was unavailing, for Brasenose ran into them coming through the Gut. St. John's kept well away from Trinity all the way up, but the latter had to row hard in order to escape St. Catherine's, who finished a length behind. Queen's in turn gained on St. Catherine's, and after being three-quarters of a length behind at the Boathouse finished within half a length. Lincoln took the measure of Keble II in Iffley Reach and, after being well up at the Ferry, made their bump in the Gut. There was a capital race between Magdalen II, St. Peter's Hall, and Jesus, but although St. Peter's Hall gained on Magdalen they were unable to withstand the challenge of Jesus in the Gut and were bumped at the Long Bridges.

  First Division
  Order of Starting.— Magdalen, Christ Church, University College, New College, Worcester, Balliol, Balliol II, Wadham, St. Edmund Hall, Keble, Merton, Corpus, Exeter. Magdalen were never in any danger of being overtaken by Christ Church and, holding their own all the way up, finished a length and a half in front. Christ Church in turn kept well away from University College, who had considerable difficulty in escaping New College. New College were well up on them in the Gut, but their steering was at fault and University College, after a hard struggle, finished with half a length to spare. Worcester steadily lost to Balliol and ultimately gave way to them at the Willows. Wadham were out-paced by St. Edmund Hall, who overtook them at the end of Iffley Reach. Merton were faster than Keble over the first half of the course, after which the latter held their own and passed the post a long length in front. Merton were never in any danger of being caught by Corpus, who had a desperate race with Exeter. They were leading by three-quarters of a length at the Boathouse, but along the Wall Exeter made a fine effort and failed to record their bump by less than a quarter of a length.

• The Daily Telegraph Fri 16 Feb

  The Torpid races were begun at Oxford yesterday in ideal weather.

  In the first division there were only two bumps, and Magdalen had no difficulty in maintaining their position at the head of the river. Balliol caught Worcester at the Willows, and St. Edmund Hall caught Wadham coming into the Gut. Bumps are indicated by brackets in the following table: [...]

• The Times Sat 17 Feb, from Our Special Correspondent

  There was again a big attendance at the Torpid racing yesterday, when there were several exciting races. The weather was delightful, with brilliant sunshine accompanied by a very light north-easterly breeze, and the crews had practically no stream to row against.

  In the Third Division New College II, the head boat, held their own without difficulty but their third crew had a hard struggle with Merton II who made a brilliant effort in the last quarter of a mile and, although they actually overlapped 50 yards from the post, just failed to make their bump by inches. On the previous afternoon, through one of their men losing his oar, University College II went down before Exeter II, but they made amends for the mishap by regaining their position yesterday before coming out of the Gut. Exeter had a narrow escape of losing the headship of the Second Division to Oriel. Oriel at one time had lost considerable ground to Brasenose, who fell away again along the Green Bank. There was about a quarter of a length between the leading boats at the Boathouse, but half-way along the Wall Oriel appeared to steer a bit wide and Exeter got home by a margin of two or three yards. At the Boathouse Trinity looked like being able to hold St. Catherine's, but the latter made a determined effort along the Wall, and Trinity had to strike their colours opposite the Magdalen Barge.

  In the First Division Magdalen were never extended and passed the post two lengths in front of Christ Church, who in their turn were in no danger of being overtaken by University College. University College, however, had to go all out to escape New College, for although they were a length to the good at the Boathouse New College finished strongly and, making up a lot of ground under the Wall, got within half a length at the finish. Balliol followed a long way behind, but Worcester provided the Balliol second boat with a bump just after passing the Boathouse. Keble had no difficulty in catching Wadham before coming out of the Gut.

  Third Division
  Order of Starting.— New College II, St. John's II, Hertford, Wadham II, Exeter II, University College II, Queen's II, Brasenose II, Oriel II, Christ Church II, New College III, Merton II, St. Peter's Hall II, Hertford II. New College easily maintained their position at the head of the division and were well away from St. John's II when the latter were overtaken by Hertford coming through the Gut. Wadham II paddled over. University College II, reversing the result of Thursday's racing, gained rapidly on Exeter II in Iffley Reach, and so regained their position with a bump at the Freewater Stone. Queen's II quickly lost ground to Brasenose II, who put in a fine effort at the Weirs Bridge and made their bump at the Free Ferry. Christ Church II kept well away from New College III, being a length ahead at the finish. New College, however, had a desperate struggle to escape Merton II. Merton were only half a length behind at the Boathouse and, creeping up steadily along the Wall, were within striking distance at the old University Barge. Their shot, however, missed its mark by inches, and, although they again overlapped, New College got home with about a foot to spare.

  Second Division
  Order of Starting.— Exeter, Oriel, Brasenose, Pembroke, St. John's, Trinity, St. Catherine's, Queen's, Lincoln, Keble II, Magdalen II, Jesus, St. Peter's Hall, New College II. Exeter and Oriel had an exciting race. Oriel gained steadily all the way up the Green Bank, and were only a few feet behind at the Boathouse. Exeter then held them, and Oriel, going a little wide near the Cherwell, lost some distance. They made another determined effort in the final stage, but to no purpose, and Exeter passed the post three yards in front. Brasenose gained a lot on Oriel until coming out of the Gut, from which point Oriel got away again. Another fine race was that between Trinity and St. Catherine's, who were within a few feet at the Boathouse. Trinity made a determined spurt along the wall, but St. Catherine's made their bump just before reaching the Cherwell. Lincoln made a good but unsuccessful effort to bump Queen's, being within three-quarters of a length at the Crossing. They gained still more, but Queen's finished strongly and led in by half a length. Magdalen II made short work of Keble II, getting well away at the start and making their bump at the Weirs Bridge. Jesus, St. Peter's Hall, and New College II rowed up long distances apart.

  First Division
  Order of Starting.— Magdalen, Christ Church, University College, New College, Balliol, Worcester, Balliol II, St. Edmund Hall, Wadham, Keble, Merton, Corpus, Exeter. Magdalen retained the Headship without difficulty, and paddled up two lengths in front of Christ Church, who were never in any danger from University College. University College, however, had to row hard to escape New College. The latter were some way behind at the Long Bridges, but gained considerably along the Green Bank, and eventually finished within half a length of University College. Balliol followed a long way behind New College, but their second crew, coming up very fast along the Green Bank, bumped Worcester opposite the New College Barge. St. Edmund Hall paddled over, Wadham, who followed, being bumped by Keble half-way through the Gut. Corpus gained considerably on Merton [sic], but never caused them any great anxiety.

• The Daily Telegraph Sat 17 Feb

  There were eight bumps in the Oxford Torpid races yesterday, as against nine on the first day. Balliol II and Keble went up in the first division, St. John's, St. Catherine's and Magdalen in the second division, and Hertford, University College II and Brasenose II in the third division. [start order and bumps]

• The Times Mon 19 Feb, from Our Special Correspondent

  Racing in the Torpids at Oxford on Saturday was in a measure spoiled by the weather, the river being covered in fog. Bumps were again few and far between, there being only eight in the three divisions.

  Magdalen again finished Head of the River without unduly exerting themselves, although Christ Church certainly finished nearer than on the previous afternoon. University College failed to maintain the form that they displayed on Friday when they had half a length's advantage of New College. This distance again separated the two crews at the Boathouse, from which point New College slowly but surely crept up and made their bump about 50 yards from the Winning Post. St. Edmund Hall bumped Worcester after a hard race and are the only crew in the First Division to have made two bumps during the three days' racing. Wadham, on the other hand, were bumped for the third time, on this occasion by Merton, who had rowed through on the two previous occasions.

  Exeter at one time looked like losing the Headship of the Second Division to Oriel, but they just managed to hold off Oriel's final challenge and reach home by less than a quarter of a length. Brasenose, in turn, made things very unpleasant for Oriel and were well on them coming through the Gut. From this point, however, Brasenose fell away to nothing, and Oriel had drawn right ahead again at the finish.

  Third Division
  Order of Starting.— New College II, Hertford, St. John's II, Wadham II, University College II, Exeter II, Brasenose II, Queen's II, Oriel II, Christ Church II, New College III, Merton II, St. Peter's Hall II, Hertford II. New College II retained the Headship of the Division without great difficulty, although Hertford gained considerably in Iffley Reach and were well up with them coming through the Gut. Along the Green Bank, however, New College drew away again, and finished with nearly two lengths in hand. Hertford passed the post three lengths in front of St. John's II. Wadham II lost distance to University College II right from the start, and the latter, making a good effort after passing the Weirs Bridge, bumped them at the Free Ferry. Brasenose II again improved their position, getting well on to Exeter II in Iffley Reach and bumping them in the Gut. Queen's II lost distance to Oriel II, but came away again to finish a length and a half ahead. Oriel II more than maintained their distance in front of Christ Church II, but there was another exciting struggle between New College III and Merton II. New College were three quarters of a length in front at the Willows, but Merton had reduced the advantage to half a length at the Boathouse. Along the wall New College began to lose their form, and Merton, putting in a fine effort after passing the Cherwell, made their bumps opposite the Old University Barge.

  Second Division
  Order of Starting.— Exeter, Oriel, Brasenose, St. John's, Pembroke, St. Catherine's, Trinity, Queen's, Lincoln, Magdalen II, Keble II, Jesus, St. Peter's Hall, New College II. Exeter kept well away from Oriel over the first part of the course, but after passing the Boathouse Oriel steadily reduced their lead and were only a quarter of a length behind at the Cherwell. Exeter, however, kept going and finally got home with three yards to spare. Brasenose looked like bumping Oriel as the boats came out of the Gut, but they failed to sustain the effort and Oriel, drawing away, again finished their starting distance ahead. St. John's in the meantime had been going up on Brasenose, who had no more than a quarter of a length at the Post. St. Catherine's finished well within their distance of Pembroke, and held Trinity without much difficulty, while Queen's got within a length of Trinity. A good race between Lincoln and Magdalen II ended in a bump for Magdalen II half-way along the Green Bank, and Jesus, getting well away at the start, bumped Keble II at the Free Ferry.

  First Division
  Order of Starting.— Magdalen, Christ Church, University College, New College, Balliol, Balliol II, Worcester, St. Edmund Hall, Keble, Wadham, Merton, Corpus, Exeter. Magdalen kept right away from Christ Church until after passing the Boathouse, when they gave some distance, but they eventually finished a length and a quarter ahead. There was a splendid race between University College and New College. The latter gained steadily up the Green Bank, and, after getting within half a length at the Boathouse, made their bump at the Exeter College Barge. Balliol came up a long way ahead of their second crew. Worcester and St. Edmund Hall had a prolonged struggle, which ended in a bump for St. Edmund Hall just before reaching the Cherwell. Keble paddled through after seeing Wadham bumped by Merton half way up Iffley Reach.

• The Daily Telegraph Mon 19 Feb

  The weather for the third day of the Oxford Torpids on Saturday was dull and foggy. Eight bumps were recorded. There was a surprise in the first division, in which University College, after rowing over on the first two days, were caught by New College. St. Edmund Hall went up a second place, and the second crews of Magdalen and Brasenose continued their run of successes. Bumps are indicated by brackets in the following tables: [...]

• The Times Tue 20 Feb, from Our Special Correspondent

  The Torpids were continued at Oxford yesterday in fine, but cold, weather. New College II for the fourth time rowed up head of the Third Division, although at one point Hertford had gained considerably. University College II scored their third bump with a comparatively easy victory over St. John's II, and Brasenose II added to their winning sequence with an early bump over Wadham II in Iffley Reach. There was a mix-up near the New College Barge, where Christ Church II bumped Oriel II. Merton II, who were following some distance behind, failed to get clear and New College III, rowing past them, were able to claim a bump.

  The Headship of the Second Division produced a most exciting finish between Exeter and Oriel, for although the latter were well behind at the Boathouse they made up ground rapidly along the Wall, and had their cox been a bit more patient they might have made their bump.

  Magdalen again had no difficulty in retaining the Headship of the River, for although losing ground to Christ Church they never had to extend themselves. University College, after being bumped by New College on Saturday, showed much better form and finished well up on New College, after having had Balliol unpleasantly close on them coming out of the Gut. Keble and Worcester had a good race which ended in favour of Worcester by three quarters of a length, and the only bump in this division was achieved by Corpus, who bumped Wadham early on.

  Third Division
  Order of Starting.— New College II, Hertford, St. John's II, University College II, Wadham II, Brasenose II, Exeter II, Queen's II, Oriel II, Christ Church II, Merton II, New College III, St. Peter's Hall II, Hertford II. Hertford gained on New College II in Iffley Reach, and passing the Boathouse were only a length behind. From this point, however, New College held them, and eventually passed the Post with a bare length in hand. St. John's II for a time kept well ahead of University College II, but at the Ferry University College gained rapidly and made their bump coming through the Gut. Wadham II were soon in trouble from Brasenose II, who, getting well away at the start, bumped them at the Weir's Bridge. There was a good race between Exeter II and Queen's II. Queen's were up a length coming out of the Gut, and at the Crossing gained still more, half a length separating the boats at the Boathouse. Exeter, however, rowed strongly along the Wall, and eventually reached home a third of a length ahead. Another good race was that between Oriel II and Christ Church II, but Oriel lost distance rapidly after passing the Boathouse and Christ Church bumped them at the New College Barge. Merton II were well behind Christ Church II at the time, but their cox failed to get clear of the two boats in front, and they were passed by New College III, who were thus able to claim a bump over Merton. St. Peter's Hall and Hertford II followed some distance apart.

  Second Division
  Order of Starting.— Exeter, Oriel, Brasenose, St. John's, Pembroke, St. Catherine's, Trinity, Queen's, Magdalen II, Lincoln, Jesus, Keble II, St. Peter's Hall, New College II. Exeter started well, and it was not until half way up Iffley Reach that Oriel were able to claim any advantage. Coming through the Gut Oriel gained considerably, and when passing the Boathouse less than a length separated the crews. Oriel further reduced the distance up the Wall and tried a wide shot opposite the Exeter Barge which failed. They made another determined effort, but Exeter just held on and passed the Post with a bare yard to spare. Brasenose failed to make any impression on Oriel, who finished two lengths ahead. St. John's followed their distance behind Brasenose, and St. Catherine's, after gaining on Pembroke, fell away again, and were their distance behind at the finish, but well ahead of Trinity. Magdalen II soon had the measure of Queen's, and, spurting hard at Weir's Bridge, bumped then at the Free Ferry. A good race between Lincoln and Jesus ended in Jesus making their bump under the Willows, and St. Peter's Hall bumped Keble II at Salter's Launch Works.

  First Division
  Order of Starting.— Magdalen, Christ Church, New College, University College, Balliol, Balliol II, St. Edmund Hall, Worcester, Keble, Merton, Wadham, Corpus, Exeter. Magdalen again rowed up Head of the Division. Christ Church gained up to the Boathouse, but along the Wall Magdalen held their own without any difficulty and finished a length in front. New College were faster than Christ Church and were within a length at the Boathouse, but from this point Christ Church drew away again and led home by two lengths. Driven on by Balliol University College gained ground on New College and finished within a length. At one time University College had lost a lot of distance to Balliol, who along the Willows were within a few yards. After passing the Boathouse, however, University College held their own, and finished a quarter of a length to the good. Four lengths separated Balliol from their second boat, who kept well ahead of St. Edmund Hall. St. Edmund Hall in turn finished a long way in front of Worcester, who lost distance to Keble until coming out of the Gut. Worcester then recovered and ultimately reached gome three-quarters of a length ahead, Keble finishing well in front of Merton. Corpus at once began to gain on Wadham, whom they bumped before getting out of Iffley Reach.

• The Daily Telegraph Tue 20 Feb

  For the third time there were eight bumps yesterday in the Oxford Torpids. One in the third division occurred when Merton II stopped after colliding with Oriel II, who had just been bumped by Christ Church III. New College III rowed past Merton and were awarded the bump. Brasenose II went up for the fourth time, and Wadham and Keble II each lost a fourth place. Bumps are shown by brackets in the following tables: [...]

• The Times Wed 21 Feb, from Our Special Correspondent

  Some Keen Racing
  

  There was brilliant sunshine for yesterday's racing in the Torpids at Oxford, but the weather was cold and the crews had a strong head wind and rather more stream to contend against. Eleven bumps were made in three divisions, the highest aggregate recorded so far.

  Oriel at length succeeded in wresting the headship of the Second Division from Exeter. Exeter made a gallant but unsuccessful effort to avoid defeat, but to no purpose, and they had to strike their colours when within 50 yards of the winning post. St. Catherine's failed to maintain their position, which was rather surprising, as they had previously overtaken Trinity, who re-bumped them just before reaching the University Boathouse. Magdalen II thus received a check, although they were well behind when Trinity made their bump. Queen's again experienced disaster, and New College II at last established themselves firmly in the Second Division after a hard race by bumping Keble II just after passing Saunders' Bridge.

  The first nine boats in the First Division retained their position. Magdalen had an easy task in retaining the Headship and Christ Church, New College, University College, Balliol and Balliol II finished at wide intervals apart. St. Edmund Hall however, made Balliol II go "all out." and Worcester, after losing a lot of ground to Keble, got away again and led in by a third of a length. Corpus followed up their previous day's success over Wadham by bumping Merton, after a most exciting struggle. If they had been able to hold off for another 30 yards Merton would have escaped them. Corpus had to thank their cox, who showed excellent judgment and timed his shot to a nicety. Wadham went down to the Second Division, Oriel, in spite of their previous exertions, bumping them half-way up Iffley Reach.

  Third Division
  Order of Starting.— New College II, Hertford, University College II, St. John's II, Brasenose II, Wadham II, Exeter II, Queen's II, Christ Church II, Oriel II, New College III, Merton II, St. Peter's Hall II, Hertford II.

  There was a fine race between the three leading boats. New College II came out of the Gut with a lead of one length from Hertford, who were less than half that distance ahead of University College II. University College II gained rapidly on Hertford and were near to bumping them at the Willows. At Saunder's Bridge they overlapped and appeared to bump. Hertford once more drew away and made up on New College II, but University College came again and Hertford got home with only a yard to spare and finished within a quarter of a length of New College II. Brasenose II continued their successful career. Getting well away at the start they gained on St. John's II all the way up Iffley Reach and eventually bumped them coming through the Gut. Exeter II gained appreciably on Wadham II in Iffley Reach and were within a quarter of a length along the Green Bank. Wadham regained a little, but they failed to sustain their effort. Exeter, spurting hard along the wall, made their bump at the Magdalen Barge. Christ Church II had the measure of Queen's II as they came out of the Gut and, gaining rapidly along the Willows, bumped them at the Red Post. There was another interesting race between New College III and Merton II. New College were about half a length in front at the Boathouse, from which point Merton gradually wore them down and made their bump at the Oriel Barge.

  Second Division
  Order of Starting.— Exeter, Oriel, Brasenose, St. John's, Pembroke, St. Catherine's, Trinity, Magdalen II, Queen's, Jesus, Lincoln, St. Peter's Hall, Keble II, New College II.

  There was another fine race for the Headship of this Division between Exeter and Oriel. Oriel had just failed to succeed on the previous afternoon. After gaining steadily coming out of the Gut Oriel were within half a length at the Boathouse, but Exeter were still well clear at the Cherwell. From this point, however, Oriel went up fast and made their bump opposite the St. John's Barge, Oriel driving Exeter into the wall. St. John's, rowing better than on the previous afternoon, had gained a length on Brasenose coming out of the Gut. Brasenose were still well away at the Boathouse, but St. John's finished strongly and were only half a length behind as the boats passed the post. Pembroke followed a long way in the rear and saw St. Catherine's fall victims to Trinity at the New Cut. Trinity thus recovering the place they had lost on Friday. Magdalen II were unable to improve their record, being well behind when Trinity made their bump. Jesus soon began to make up on Queen's, who made a big effort along the Willows, without success, Jesus bumping them at the New Cut. New College II had a tough struggle with Keble II, for although they were within a quarter of a length coming out of the Gut, they were unable to make their bump until they reached Talboys's Barge.

  First Division
  Order of Starting.— Magdalen, Christ Church, New College, University College, Balliol, Balliol II, St. Edmund Hall, Worcester, Keble, Merton, Corpus, Wadham, Oriel.

  Magdalen again rowed up at the head of the First Division without unduly distressing themselves and, doing a bit of hard rowing in the last 100 yards, finished a length and a half in front of Christ Church. Two lengths separated Christ Church from New College. University were a similar distance ahead of Balliol who kept well away from their second crew. St. Edmund Hall gained on Balliol II, but never enough to cause them any anxiety. St. Edmund Hall finished a length and a quarter ahead of Worcester. Keble made up a lot on Worcester at one point and were within a quarter of a length at the Boathouse, but they afterwards fell away again and Worcester passed the post a third of a length to the good. Merton and Corpus provided a thrilling race. After getting within three-quarters of a length at the Boathouse Corpus steadily gained along the Wall and made their bump at the Balliol Raft. Oriel went up on Wadham from the start and bumped them midway between the Weirs Bridge and the Free Ferry.

• The Daily Telegraph Wed 21 Feb

  The fifth day of the Oxford Torpids yesterday not only provided the most exciting racing, but produced the highest number of bumps. There were eleven, and two were made practically at the finishing post by Corpus in the first division, and by Merton II in the third division.

  Hertford and University II were concerned in an unusual incident. Unversity made a bump at the boat-house, but Hertford would not acknowledge it and rowed to the end of the course. University claimed the bump and the committee awarded it to them. Oriel made two bumps after rowing over on the four previous days.

  Merton II and New College III changed places for the fourth time, each having bumped the other twice. Bumps are indicated by brackets in the following tables: [...]

• The Times Thu 22 Feb, from Our Special Correspondent

  Magdalen still Head of the River
  

  After a long spell of fine weather the Torpid Races were concluded yesterday in brilliant sunshine The racing did not produce nearly as many bumps as usual, the total being 51 for the six days. Although six crews could have been described as well up to average, there were several in which the standard of rowing was very poor. Magdalen, who started Head of the River, maintained their position throughout the racing without any difficulty and developed into a really good crew, although, before the racing was begun, many expected their downfall.

  After bumping University College, New College had some hopes of securing the Headship, but Christ Church, who were quite a good crew, never gave them much chance of attaining their object, and rowed through with a good margin in hand on all six occasions, when only two bumps were recorded among the leading six crews.

  Brasenose II had the best record in the racing and, as most of their crew consisted of Freshmen, they have cause to congratulate themselves. University College II also had a good time, with five bumps to their credit, and so entered the Second Division. Exeter were fortunate in that, after losing the Headship of the Second Division, they recovered it in the last race of the series. Wadham, who had gone down with painful regularity, provided them with the necessary bump.

  A remarkable feature of the final racing was that all of the 13 crews in the First Division rowed up in their starting order and, had the racing continued, it is doubtful whether there would have been any further changes in the order. Of the lower boats Jesus and Magdalen II did well with four bumps each, but Wadham II lost five places and Keble II went down every day.

  Third Division
  Order of Starting.— Keble II, University College II, Hertford, Brasenose II, St. John's II, Exeter II, Wadham II, Christ Church II, Queen's II, Oriel II, Merton II, New College III, St. Peter's Hall II, Hertford II.

  Keble II struggled hard to retain the Headship of the Division, but University College II came up very fast after passing the Ferry, and Keble had to acknowledge their sixth successive reverse coming out of the Gut. There was a good race between Hertford II and Brasenose II over the first part of the course, but entering the Gut Brasenose were almost within striking distance and eventually made their bump under the Willows. St. John's II and Exeter II had an exciting race. The latter were within a quarter of a length at the Boathouse and, gaining steadily along the Wall, made a futile shot near the Cherwell. A little higher up they made another unsuccessful attempt, and St. John's II, struggling hard to the finish, had the satisfaction of passing the post with less than a quarter of a length to spare. Wadham II suffered another reverse, Christ Church II, who came up rapidly after passing Weirs Bridge, bumping them coming through the Gut. The remainder of the racing in this division was uneventful.

  Second Division
  Order of Starting.— Wadham, Exeter, Brasenose, St. John's, Pembroke, Trinity, St. Catherine's, Magdalen II, Jesus, Queen's, Lincoln, St. Peter's Hall, New College II, Keble II.

  Wadham lost distance to Exeter right from the start, and, although they put in a good effort at the end of Iffley Reach, Exeter made their bump just before reaching the Freewater Stone. Brasenose were some distance behind Exeter at the time and, although at one point they had lost distance to St. John's, they drew away again and finished with a length and a half in hand. Pembroke were two lengths behind St. John's, and the same distance ahead of Trinity. St. Catherine's were losing distance to Magdalen II in Iffley Reach, and, getting to within a quarter of a length in the Gut, Magdalen II bumped them half-way along the Green Bank. Jesus failed to make any impression on Magdalen II, but were well away from Queen's, who were bumped by Lincoln at the Red Post. St. Peter's Hall paddled over, as New College II were quite unable to hold their own against University College II, who made their second bump during the afternoon at Salter's launch works.

  First Division
  Order of Starting.— Magdalen, Christ Church, New College, University College, Balliol, Balliol II, St. Edmund Hall, Worcester, Keble, Merton, Corpus, Wadham, Oriel.

  Magdalen lost some distance to Christ Church over the early part of the course, but they were never in the least danger of being overtaken and, finishing strongly, passed the post with more than a length in hand. Christ Church in turn kept right away from New College, who finished two lengths behind. The same distance separated New College from University College, and Balliol were their distance behind University College. Balliol II failed to gain any distance on their first crew, but St. Edmund Hall gained on Balliol II and finished within a length. St. Edmund Hall held Worcester without much difficulty, but the latter had to row hard to escape Keble, who were well up at the Boathouse, and only a quarter of a length separated them at the finish. Corpus got to within a length of Keble, and Oriel gained materially on Merton, who, however, finished a quarter of a length in front.

  [the final order]. The order of rowing of the Magdalen crew was :— [as below].

• The Daily Telegraph Thu 22 Feb

  The torpid races were concluded at Oxford yesterday. During the meeting there were fifty-one bumps — an unusually small number.

  Magdalen had no difficulty in retaining the headship of the river. It is remarkable that among the first six boats there were only two bumps during the week. The Brasenose second crew were the most successful. They made six bumps. Exeter went up five places. Wadham's first boat lost six places and their second crew five. Keble II were also among the crews to do badly. They were bumped six times. Not one bump was made in the First Division yesterday.

  Exeter went into the First Division and Univy II [sic] into the Second Division. Bumps are shown by brackets in the following tables: [...]

• In other news ... [1934]

  Monarch: George V

  Prime Minister: Ramsay MacDonald (Labour)

  Feb 12–16

  Austrian Civil War: The Fatherland Front consolidates its power, in a series of clashes across the country

  Fri 16 Feb

  The Commission of Government is sworn in, as a form of direct rule for the Dominion of Newfoundland.

  Sat 17 Feb

  King Albert I of Belgium, 58, dies in a mountaineering accident.

  Tue 20 Feb

  Conservative MP Anthony Eden met Adolf Hitler and foreign affairs minister Konstantin von Neurath in Berlin to encourage Germany to return to disarmament talks

  Wed 21 Feb

  Augusto Cesar Sandino is assassinated in Managua, by the National Guard.

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