Torpids 1962Torpids 1962
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Torpids revert to bumping races
Oxford University Torpids will be begun today and will be run on the former system of bumping races. The work on Donnington Bridge for the new road has made it impossible for boats to divide into lanes as they have done for the past two years. Whether this reversion to bumping races is popular with the colleges is doubtful. An entry of only 51 crews is certainly disappointing.The standard of rowing among the first boats is about normal but that of the second and third crews is poor. Racing at the top of the first division is likely to be particularly keen, and St. John's hopes of staying head are not bright. Christ Church, starting third, should catch St. Edmund Hall and St. John's provided that they themselves can keep away from Balliol, who are the best crew on the river. But if Balliol are to make their bump on Christ Church they will probably need to do it in the first two minutes. If they can pull it off on the first day their way to the head of the river should be easy.
Among other first boats University are powerful, if a little ungainly, but they are likely to be pressed by Keble, who start immediately behind them. For so many years Wadham have been disappointing but on the form of this year's Torpid boat it looks as if the long awaited improvement has arrived.
Order of start :— [...]
St. John's may prove too strong for the Hall
The work on the Donnington Bridge Road has made it impossible to continue the two and three-lane system adopted for the Oxford Torpids in 1960. Therefore the races, which start to-day with 51 crews in six divisions, will follow their traditional pattern.In a year in which the standard does not seem particularly high there are perhaps half a dozen crews rather better than the rest, and two of these are not within range of the headship.
St. John's, who deposed St. Edmund Hall on the last night last year, are strong and lively, if a little rough, Much may depend on the weather, for they would be more favoured by a head wind than their immediate pursuers.
St. Edmund Hall have, as usual, been training on the less congested Godstow Reach and only returned on Friday. They are neat and quite well together and probably command a high rate of striking but do not look nearly as strong as St. John's.
Signs of Speed — Best Technique
The same applies to Christ Church, who are probably the best crew technically and show definite signs of pace. But they seemed last week to lack the grim determination and strength which will be required if the bad weather returns.The crew which appear to combine all the necessary qualifications, except polish, is Balliol, who have Crown Prince Harald of Norway at No.6. They are reported to leave the start in the upper 40s and have far greater stride than any other crew.
Oriel start sixth and are well-drilled, but would go faster if they rowed more than half strokes. New College, the sandwich boat, are smooth and could make four bumps if they would briefly forget that "manners maketh man".
Trinity Start Last
In the depths of the second division are Keble with J. R. L. Dent, the ARA trialist, at No.7. One expects them to justify their Bursar's faith by registering a possible [sic], though University above them are better than of late.It is sad to see Trinity starting last in Div. III and, to be honest, any improvement in their position is likely to result purely from the shortcomings of the company they keep. In any case, Balliol II, who with New College II appear outstanding among the second boats, are breathing down their necks, and one can foresee ugly scenes in Broad Street if contact is made. [Starting order]
St. John's pressed in Torpids
The cold weather and an uncomfortable crosswind off the Oxfordshire station probably affected the rowing on the first day of Torpids at Oxford yesterday, and only 13 bumps were made. There was the unusual situation of only one bump in each of the first three divisions.St. John's were hard pressed to keep their place at the head of the river. St. Edmund Hall were always gaining on them and 100 yards from the finish only a canvas separated them from a bump. Balliol lost their chance of going ahead [sic] of the river because they made little impression on Christ Church who, for their part, were their full distance behind St. Edmund Hall. The only bump in the first division was by Oriel, who caught Magdalen before the Gut.
The starting rules involved several boats in trouble in the lower divisions. In the fifth division Worcester II were facing the wrong way when the starting gun went and Brasenose II automatically passed them. In the sixth division Pembroke II hit the bank after five strokes, so St. John's III easily made their bump. St. Catherine's II had, apparently, not heard the minute gun and were quite unprepared to go off when the starting gun was fired. They fell immediately to University III. [Bumps Chart].
Oxford, WednesdayOnly 13 Bumps on First Day — Pembroke II take to the Bank
Only 13 bumps were registered in the Torpids here to-day, and the top three divisions mustered but one each. Unless St. Edmund Hall can find a good deal of extra pace, it seems that the only first crews likely to win their oars are St. John's and Keble.The main excitements of the day occurred in the lowest divisions. St. Catherine's II failed to hear the warning guns and still had their bungline neatly coiled at the start. Pembroke II, at the head of this division, took to the bank after five strokes but even this failed to save them [?].
There was an even more unusual incident in Division V where Worcester II were still facing towards Iffley Lock when the minute gun fired. Frantic efforts to attach themselves to the bungline in the remaining seconds proved unavailing and they forfeited a place.
The last three divisions came up spread over a vast distance and it is difficult to imagine things will be different to-morrow. Corpus were the first of the first boats to make a bump, catching Lincoln II beyond the OUBC.
Keble Catch Up — Another Success Likely
In the second division New College came up well clear of Worcester, though they allowed them to close a little down the Barges. Keble gained steadily on University and ran into them at the Long Bridges. University had earlier been quite close to Exeter so Keble seem assured of further success to-morrow.The first division promised greater excitement but a singular dearth of gunfire on the towpath heralded a repetition of earlier events. St. John's had a poor start, but were almost a length clear coming out of the Gut.
They were are this stage striking 36 to St. Edmund Hall's 34 and though at the OUBC the gap was no more than one-third of a length St. John's still seemed to have something in hand. At the finish they spurted away to just over half-a-length.
Christ Church were disappointing, rating no more than 31 at the Pink Post, where they were two lengths behind the Hall. Balliol were chasing them at 35, but looked tired and never came within their distance.
There followed an immense gap, only partly caused by Oriel's catching Magdalen at the Stone. Queen's came up a distance ahead of Lincoln, in their turn at least three lengths clear of New College. [List of Bumps].
St. Edmund Hall go top in TorpidsThe second day of Torpids at Oxford produced some more dull racing, with only 12 bumps in the six divisions. The only real excitement was for the Head of the River, where St. Edmund Hall caught St. John's after a fine race.
St. Edmund Hall were always gaining and at the University Boat House were less than half a length behind. They then raised their rate to 37 and, though it seemed at one time as if St. John's might escape, St. Edmund Hall made their bump about 200 yards from the finish.
New College had to struggle hard to keep away from Worcester at the top of Division II. Worcester were striking 34 along the Green Bank but New College seemed unable to raise their rate higher than 30. However, they held off the challenge and got home with half a length to spare.
There was an extraordinary mix-up in Division V. Brasenose II bumped Hertford II and Worcester II then forced Brasenose farther into the Hertford boat so that the stern was cut off, and the Hertford crew had to abandon ship. Through this accident St. Edmund Hall III bumped Worcester II but Worcester protested that they had been balked and the chief umpire decided that Worcester and St. Edmund Hall shoud re-row at 1.30 today. [Bumps Chart].
Oxford, ThursdaySt. Edmund Hall return to Head of River
St. Edmund Hall returned to the Head of the River in the Torpids, at their second attempt here to-day, catching St. John's just before the junction with the Cherwell.As the crews came out of the Gut, St. John's, at 37, had three-quarters of a length to spare, and were outrating the Hall by two strokes. The Hall cox delayed his crossing and may have gained by his manoeuvre, for at the O.U.B.C. the gap was one-third of a length, as it had been yesterday.
As they passed their own boat house, St. Edmund Hall spurted to 37 and began to close rapidly, making their bump about 20 strokes farther on.
Christ Church were little more than their starting distance behind the Hall at the O.U.B.C. but it seems unlikely that they will catch St. John's to-morrow. Balliol again disappointed, for though they came up the Green Bank at 36 they were a good two lengths down on the House.
Keble's Bump — Not Extended
There was not the slightest likelihood of a bump elsewhere in the First Division, and in fact the only ripple to be expected is Keble's arrival at the foot late on Saturday afternoon. They were not extended to make their second bump in the bay below the Gut.New College came on to the Green Bank three-quarters of a length ahead of Worcester and had dropped to 29 at the Pink Post. At O.U.B.C. they led by a bare 6ft but by forcing their rating up to 31 they managed to get home by just under half a length.
Brasenose hunted St. Catherine's all the way up the Barges and caught them on the post, while Lincoln II surrendered to Trinity below the Stone. The three lowest divisions produced six bumps and one disputed, which is to be rerowed.
The sun shone, but the cross-following wind was bitter and even the most partisan were decidedly purple about the lips by 5 p.m. This was nothing to the fate of Hertford II who literally went down to Brasenose II and had to swim to the bank.
[List of Bumps]
Keble first boat rising steadilyWith the north-east wind colder and stronger, conditions were thoroughly unpleasant on and off the river for the third day of Torpids at Oxford yesterday. St. Edmund Hall had the easiest possible journey at the head of the river, as St. John's, behind them, fell to Christ Church.
The start of Division I had to be delayed because St. John's had broken a rudder line. Even this minor mishap must have disturbed the equanimity St. John's in their attempt to avoid a further downward slide from their former exalted position. In fact, when the race started they did not hold out long against Christ Church, who made their bump coming out of the Gut.
Of all the first boats only Keble are making steady upward progress and, apart from the head of the river crew, are the only first crew who can win their oars. When racing finishes today Keble have a good chance to establish themselves in Division I. In Division II University College had a keen struggle with Exeter, who were still half a length in front at the University boat-house. But University were inexorable in their pursuit and Exeter had to concede the bump at the New Cut. [Bumps Chart]
Oxford, FridaySt. John's are Caught by Christ Church in Gut
St. Edmund Hall had no difficulty in remaining head of the river to-day as St. John's, whom they caught on the Barges yesterday, fell to Christ Church in the Gut. This must give the House some chance of going ahead [sic], but it must be recorded that St. John's seemed to have deteriorated.Probably the safest way to effect a change in the headship would be to predict that St. Edmund Hall will still be there to-morrow night.
The First Division started 10 minutes late after a rudder line had broken and had to be repaired. Lincoln ran into Queen's, but the latter claimed they were impeded and the matter is still sub judice.
In the Second Division Keble continued to advance, catching Worcester 10 strokes up the Green Bank. University caught Exeter at the Cherwell and Hertford, after making no impression in the last two days, overtook St. Peter's at the O.U.B.C.
Trinity made their second bump in the Third Division, catching Corpus just above their own boathouse. Further down positions continued to be exchanged with the utmost good humour, and the day's total of 14 bumps was the highest this week.
Colder Still — Important Visitor
It was if anything even colder than yesterday, and the visit of the Blue Boat, who passed up and down carrying out interval training between divisions, brought a few heads out of the boathouse windows.Six crews, Keble I, Christ Church II, Brasenose II, St. Edmund Hall II, St. John's III and Trinity II have so far made three bumps and there seems no good reason why they should not continue upwards to-morrow. Of these, St. John's and Trinity will be chasing crews which have completed a similar journey in the opposite direction.
In the re-row of yesterday's disputed bump in Division Four, St. Edmund Hall III caught Worcester II with ease. [List of Bumps]
St. Edmund Hall Head Again
The Oxford University Torpids finished as they had begun — in wintery conditions. After losing the Headship of Division One to St. John's last year, St. Edmund Hall regained the premier position on Thursday and retained it to the end.St. John's were bumped three times and now drop to fourth position.
During the four days there were 53 bumps. Crews achieving a bump each day, and thus receiving their oars, were Keble, the second crews of Christ Church, Brasenose and Trinity, and the third crews of St. John's and St. Edmund Hall. Yesterday's bumps: [...]
Blight on the Torpids — Isis spectacle spoiled
To give up a new toy is always frustrating, and the return to straightforward bumping races, after two years of the new-style bumps and passing enforced by the bridge works at Donnington seemed to cast a blight on the Torpids at Oxford this year.Probably the standard was no lower, but it seemed lower; probably the wind was no colder, but it felt colder; certainly the entries were fewer, and the smaller divisions of eight crews, also made necessary by the obstruction in the river, spoiled the spectacle.
St. John's came a cropper, relying too much on brute force. St. Edmund Hall, a reasonably balanced and well-produced crew, deserved to gain the headship. Christ Church were rather ragged, but they had a turn of speed which enabled them to close on St. Edmund Hall at times, though only temporarily. Balliol were strong but sluggish.
Keble, certainly as fast and possibly faster than St. Edmund Hall, were unlucky, if one can call it unlucky to suffer for the shortcomings of their predecessors, who had left them so low on the river. They started thirteenth. Under the new system they might well have gained six or seven places. With the usual size of divisions, Keble would surely have made the extra bump as sandwich boat on the first night. As it was they reached the critical position on Saturday, made their first bump on New College, and missed their second bump because Queen's, who had escaped Lincoln for three days, rowed badly and allowed Lincoln to make their bump before being caught by Keble. [Head crew — as below]. [Bumps Chart]
St. Edmund H. Stay Ahead — Keble's Division I hopes foiled
St. Edmund Hall rowed over at the head of the river in the Oxford Torpids on Saturday, retaining the position they had gained on Friday and which they had, in fact, vacated for two days only.Christ Church closed to three-quarters of a length at the Stone but had fallen back to starting distance by the OUBC.
Balliol caught a thoroughly demoralised St. John's in the bay, but at no time during the week did they fulfil the promise they had shown in practice. They were able to cover the course at around 35, but their earlier fire had gone.
When Keble overtook an extremely disappointing New College crew on the Green Bank they seemed certain to become the only crew to register five bumps and to establish themselves fairly in the first division for the first time for very many years.
As sandwich boat, they were within half a length of Lincoln and their target when Queen's, next ahead, saw fit to catch a monstrous crab and surrendered, leaving Keble to skirt the wreckage and paddle home.
Trinity, not best pleased with your correspondent, climbed a third time, striking Jesus in the Gut. Balliol II finally justified themselves by bumping Lincoln II at the Stone to become the highest second boat.
The day's total of 13 bumps made up an aggregate of 53 in four days which may well be the lowest recorded, but it should be remembered that thanks to the work on Donnington Bridge the divisions were smaller than usual, as was the total entry.
St. Edmund Hall, with six school-trained oarsmen, deserved their success, not only for reaching their peak at the right time but for their ability to retain their form at a high rating. [Head Crew, as in The Times, but adding schools] [List of Bumps & Finishing Order]
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