Torpids 1967

BUMPS CHART

STANDINGS Start Finish Pos College Pts Pts College 1 St John's 59 63 St John's 2 St Edmund Hall 58 55 Oriel 3 Oriel 48 52 Balliol 4 Christ Church 47 45 Christ Church 5 Balliol 44 44 St Edmund Hall 6 Lincoln 43 39 Worcester 7 Keble 36 37 Lincoln 8 Magdalen 32 35 New College 9 Merton 32 35 Keble 10 University 30 30 University 11 New College 27 28 Pembroke 12 Worcester 27 27 Queen's 13 Queen's 24 21 Merton 14 Exeter 21 18 Wadham 15 Pembroke 21 18 Corpus Christi 16 Wadham 17 18 Exeter 17 Hertford 17 17 Magdalen 18 St Peter's 14 16 Trinity 19 Corpus Christi 14 15 St Peter's 20 Jesus 13 14 Hertford 21 Trinity 13 13 St Catherine's 22 St Catherine's 12 11 Jesus 23 Brasenose 8 8 Brasenose 24 Mansfield 4 4 Mansfield

STATISTICS College All Crews [ ]=rank Crews Bps Avg Worcester 2[ 6] 15[ 1] 7.50[ 1] Oriel 3[ 3] 14[ 2] 4.67[ 2] St Peter's 4[ 1] 6[ 3] 1.50[ 4] Pembroke 2[ 6] 5[ 4] 2.50[ 3] Balliol 3[ 3] 4[ 5] 1.33[ 5] Lincoln 4[ 1] 3[ 6] 0.75[10] New College 2[ 6] 2[ 7] 1.00[ 6] Queen's 2[ 6] 2[ 7] 1.00[ 6] Corpus Christi 2[ 6] 2[ 7] 1.00[ 6] St John's 3[ 3] 1[10] 0.33[11] Wadham 1[21] 1[10] 1.00[ 6] University 2[ 6] -1[12] -0.50[12] Brasenose 1[21] -1[12] -1.00[15] St Catherine's 2[ 6] -1[12] -0.50[12] Keble 2[ 6] -1[12] -0.50[12] Trinity 2[ 6] -2[16] -1.00[15] Jesus 1[21] -3[17] -3.00[20] Exeter 2[ 6] -4[18] -2.00[17] Christ Church 2[ 6] -5[19] -2.50[18] Merton 1[21] -5[19] -5.00[23] St Edmund Hall 2[ 6] -5[19] -2.50[18] Hertford 2[ 6] -7[22] -3.50[21] Mansfield 2[ 6] -7[22] -3.50[21] Magdalen 2[ 6] -13[24] -6.50[24]

• Wed 15 – Sat 18 Feb 1967
• Multilane racing.
• Divisions at 30min intervals from 2pm (Div VI) until 4:30pm (Div I)

• The Times Wed 15 Feb

  Oriel above average

  Oxford University Torpids races begin today, with the method of racing following the pattern of recent years. From the Gut to the finish, crews will race in relays with overtaking rather than bumping giving upwards progress. This means that all crews [?] must row over the course and bumps can be made only by crews in the same lane.

  A crew finishing at the top of a division on one day will race as bottom boat in the next higher division on the following day. So, Division I will daily increase by one crew while Division VI will similarly decrease. The numbers in the other divisions will remain constant at nine crews.

  There should be some keen racing at the top of Division I. St. Edmund Hall are well together but they may not be fast enough to hold off Oriel who look to be rather better than the average. Starting in fourth place in Division II Worcester are lively and quick to the water and should have no difficulty in working their way into the top division. Order of starting:— [...]

• The Daily Telegraph Wed 15 Feb, by Desmond Hill

  Oriel ready to take over Headship

  Fifty one crews embark this afternoon on the Oxford Torpids in six half-hourly divisions. Last year the infusion of first eightsmen had a salutary effect on the standard. This year, unhappily, their influence is far less marked and there is no outstanding crew, writes Desmond Hill.

  There may be little to choose between the top four boats, though the consensus of opinion is that St. Edmund Hall, after five years at the head, are ripe for deposition. Certainly they look less powerful than in recent years.

  St. John's, who owe their present high position more to hard labour than technique, are uncharacteristically smooth but their blades could be better covered. Even if they do get past the Hall their tenure is by no means assured.

  Oriel still have three of their head of the river crew and are considered the favourites, however displeasing to the eye they may be. Christ Church will profit by racing in one of the very few new "restricted" boats and are probably faster than they look.

  Long-term effect

  Well out of range of the Headship, Trinity and Corpus Christi appear better than of late. St. Peter's have entered four crews though their dividend may be long — rather than short term.

  Starting order [...]

• The Times Thu 16 Feb

  St. John's go head of river

  After being head of the river in Torpids at Oxford for the past five years, St. Edmund Hall were displaced yesterday by St. John's. At the finish St. John's led by a canvas, while Oriel were less than half a length behind St. Edmund Hall. As Oriel started a length and a half behind St. John's they have a clear chance of catching St. Edmund Hall today.

  Only Pembroke and Hertford avoided chaos at Donnington Bridge in Division Three. When Corpus bumped Jesus, who had made a bad start, the boats slewed across the river and completely blocked the crews behind them. [Seems inconsistent with the rule that no bumping was allowed before the Gut?]

  Conditions were difficult. The strong east wind blew hard against the stream, which, fortunately for the crews, was low and slow-moving, but the water was still extremely rough on some parts of the course. [Bumps Chart]

• The Daily Telegraph Thu 16 Feb, by Desmond Hill

  Oxford, Wednesday

  Torpids off to Bad Start at Oxford

  St. John's overtook St. Edmund Hall opposite The Barges to head the Torpids which made a chaotic start at Oxford today. It is too soon to tell if they can hold off Oriel, but for the Hall a second defeat appears certain.

  The three leading boats had already closed up by The Gut, but Oriel had the outside of the Tims Corner, and after it were nearly two lengths behind the Hall. They recovered all but half a length in the smoother water and should get by tomorrow.

  Bedlam began in Division III, with Jesus still aground at the starting gun. Corpus could not avoid them and the following boats piled up under Donnington Bridge. There was only one change of order in the re-row, though Jesus were officially deprived of one place.

  In Division II, Merton came up in no apparent danger, only to catch a crab off the Boathouses. Worcester, who had already passed Magdalen and were well ahead of Keble, scored a lateral bump, but in so doing impeded Merton's efforts to restart.

  After heated appeals and objections Worcester forfeited their bump on Merton, while Keble, who were certainly blameless but the slowest of the three, were placed at the top and so escaped pursuit tomorrow. New College bumped Magdalen on the Green Bank. [Start and Finish Orders]

• The Times Fri 17 Feb

  Advantage to Oriel in Torpids

  St. John's, who went head in the Torpids at Oxford on Wednesday, easily retained their place when they rowed yesterday, though they cannot be over confident that they will escape the attentions of Oriel today.

  Oriel, who made their first big effort along the Green Bank, sent St. Edmund Hall down to third place when they passed them in the bottom of the barges to finish half a length in front and just under two lengths behind St. John's. In today's race St. John's will be on the Berkshire [towpath] side which is probably the more difficult of the three stations, and Oriel will be on the Oxfordshire side. With that advantage Oriel may overhaul St. John's.

  On the first two days Magdalen have lost seven places in Division II. It is more than likely that Corpus Christi will catch them today. But, with the present scheme of Torpids racing, Magdalen have now reached the position where they must stay in the second division. With no sandwich boats, as in eights, there is no way of relegation to a lower division. [Bumps Chart]

• The Daily Telegraph Fri 17 Feb, by Desmond Hill

  Oxford, Thursday

  Torpids lead easily held by St. John's

  St. John's retained the Torpids Headship today with greater ease than expected and should be safe if they survive tomorrow, when they must negotiate the Tims bend while Oriel are on the Oxon bank. St. Edmund Hall succumbed to Oriel in the last quarter-mile.

  At Long Bridges, Oriel were 1½ lengths behind the Hall and three lengths behind St. John's. They delayed their challenge until the OUBC but gained rapidly along the Barges. It would be truer to say the Hall fell back as St. John's maintained their speed to the end.

  The Hall risked a three-place penalty by overriding the Green Bank buoys to avoid the stream. But this escaped the umpires' notice. Balliol won a neck-and-neck struggle with Christ Church and Keble came up at a spanking 30.

  Revenge Match — Worcester success

  At the head of Division II, Worcester won their revenge match with Merton, though they left it late while New College just held off Queen's. Magdalen, bumped by Wadham, have now dropped seven places in two days and must be grateful they can lose but two more.

  The two Blues in the obscurity of the Fourth Division had mixed fortunes. F. C. Carr moved ponderously upwards with Keble II but R. A. Freeman lost ground with Magdalen II, if less precipitately than his first boat. [Start and Finish Orders]

• The Times Sat 18 Feb

  St. John's draw away from Oriel

  With one day to go St. John's still hold their place at the Head in the Torpids at Oxford. Rowing on the Berkshire station yesterday, St. John's, as expected, lost a lot of distance coming through the Gut and at the lower end of the Green Bank were leading Oriel by a few feet. But, for the rest of the journey, St. John's drew away. At the University boathouse they were a length ahead and at the finish had added another half a length to their lead.

  Displaced from the Head of the River on the first day, St. Edmund Hall went back to fourth place yesterday when they were overtaken by Balliol 200 yards from the finish.

  Crews in the second and third divisions seem to have found their level. In the second division New College caught Merton and Corpus Christi overtook Magdalen. In the third division the only change was at the top where Trinity rowed past Hertford. It is not often given to lower boats to cover themselves with glory, but in the three days of racing Worcester II have certainly done so. Starting in second place on Wednesday in the sixth division they went into the fifth, rowed clean through that division and today will be bottom boat in the fourth division. [Bumps Chart]

• The Daily Telegraph Sat 18 Feb, by Desmond Hill

  Oxford, Friday

  Hard Fight by St. John's to keep Torpids Lead

  Showing the greater flexibility and determination, St. John's kept their heads and the headship here today, when the third day of Torpids was completed. Their state looked pretty parlous when their early lead was cut to 3ft by the Tims bend, but they battled home by a length, writes Desmond Hill.

  Oriel have one last chance to dethrone them, but St. John's should hold them off once more. St. Edmund Hall fell yet again, Balliol nosing past in the last 50 yards, but Christ Church, who chase them tomorrow, were well astern.

  With only one change in the First Division, it might appear that the boats have found their level, but the last three finished all in a heap and, with stations interchanged, anything could happen tomorrow.

  New College made up over two lengths from the Long Bridges to depose Merton and could make progress in Division I.

  Finishing Spurt — Two places gained

  Some lengths behind them Pembroke, University and Wadham came up the Barges almost in line, Pembroke's finishing spurt lifting them two more places.

  Corpus Christi duly demolished the luckless Magdalen and Trinity reached Division II by overtaking Hertford.

  Greatest success to date has been enjoyed by Worcester II who, well leavened with old colours, have now climbed to the Fourth Division from the Sixth. [Start & Finish Orders]

• The Sunday Telegraph Sun 19 Feb

  St. John's retain Head of River

  The heavier St. John's crew held off the spirited challenge by Oriel to keep their newly-gained position at the head of the river when the Oxford University Torpids ended in blustery weather on the Isis yesterday.

  St. John's took the title from St. Edmund Hall on the first day and never looked like losing it. St. John's have halted Oriel's bid for the double — head of the river in the Summer Eights and Torpids. Order of finishing: [...]

• The Times Mon 20 Feb

  Worcester II too good to be so low

  St. John's were half a length clear of Oriel at the University boathouse on Saturday, with both crews striking 36, and there was never any doubt that they would retain the headship of the Torpids, which they had taken from St. Edmund Hall last Wednesday.

  Oriel in turn were well clear of Balliol, who looked sluggish at 32. Christ Church were challenging St. Edmund Hall at the Cherwell and just got by to regain fourth place. New College and Worcester both passed Lincoln and Keble.

  At the top of the second division Queen's, Pembroke and Merton were all overlapping at the O.U.B.C., but Merton were flagging and succumbed to both.

  Easily the record

  Worcester II claimed three more victims to bring their total for the four days to 11, which is easily the record since the new system of bumping and passing was introduced in 1960. It may be argued that this makes a mockery of the system, but I think it is not so.

  Worceseter had four members of last summer's first eight rowing in their second boat, and were clearly out of their class so low on the river.

  But the ethics of this have nothing to do with the case, which is that, whatever local unfairness there may be, this system enables crews to finish in something much nearer to their proper order of merit. As it also produces a better spectacle, harder racing, and better experience, there seems to be everything in favour of introducing the same system to Eights Week. [Head of the River Crew — as below] [Bumps Chart]

• The Daily Telegraph Mon 20 Feb, by Desmond Hill

  Fast-Striking St. John's Safe at the Head

  St. John's came home safely at the head of the Oxford Torpids on Saturday, finishing almost a length clear of Oriel, who in their turn had about a length to spare from Balliol. The winners were a well-drilled crew who compensated for any lightness in the water by never dropping below 36.

  It was a disastrous week for St. Edmund Hall, who dominated the scene for the previous five years. Caught by Christ Church along the Barges, they dropped from fourth to fifth, paying a heavy price for contributing so generously to the University squad.

  As I had suspected, Friday's form was overturned at the bottom of the first division. Worcester, who then made little impression, got past both Lincoln and Keble, as did the newly-promoted New College, who improved each day.

  Worcester II climb

  These two both earned their oars. So, too, did Pembroke, with five successes, and Corpus with four. All, however, were eclipsed by Worcester II, who climbed three more places on Saturday for a record gain of 11.

  The Magdalen debacle continued, though on a limited scale, and they fell a total of nine positions. Merton had an equally joyless week, subsiding each day and twice on Saturday. [Head crew — as below, except Frazer instead of Fraser] [Start & Finish Orders]

• In other news ... [1967]

  Monarch: Elizabeth II

  Prime Minister: Harold Wilson (Labour)

  Wed 15 Feb

  The Soviet Union announces that it has sent troops near the Chinese border.

  Sat 18 Feb

  New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison claims he will solve the John F. Kennedy assassination, and that a conspiracy was planned in New Orleans.

  Sun 19 Feb

  The American space probe Lunar Orbiter 3 sent back the most detailed pictures up to that time of the far side of the Moon.

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