The Club's Results

A good, rewarding race, that went exactly according to plan, but nevertheless was no easy feat.

In an aggressive start we hit a top rate of 48, before settling on a racy 40. Though the wash was fearsome, we didn't deign to be perturbed.

The balance wavered after the first minute, but we kept lively, and just as it began to get scrappy, we gained a whistle, and pressed on through First Post corner. Our reliable 'lift' move, deployed as a bumps push, sealed the deal.

Looking forward to tomorrow. (Preeyan)

I was initially worried by the lack of early whistles and quiet from the bank. Were we being dropped? Were they going to bump out ahead? Fortunately we got the first whistles coming into the gut and this caused us to stop being lazy and our push, in a theme that would become common this week, quickly led to contact with them. (Thomas)

Today's result was particularly sweet for me, because I was in the crew that lost the M3 headship to a Maggie Gents crew two years ago.

An unusual cross-headwind caused difficulty throughout the first part of the race. After nearly brushing the bank on the start, we gained hardly any ground until First Post corner. Aaron gave a "MOVING" call from the towpath, and I closed my eyes and thought of Strawson, but still there was no whistle.

Then Maggie started closing on Peterhouse, and our bankparty insisted that we row faster. We duly obeyed. At Ditton there came a wall of noise shouting that Maggie had gone wide. As we rounded the corner, the cross-head rotated into a cross-tail, we rowed several inches longer, and we lifted into a bumps push, in a perfect storm with drastic consequence.

The stomp should be fun tomorrow. (Preeyan)

The battle for the third eight headship. We knew that today was the day where not performing could lead us to have nothing to chase and a long row over. We started well, but were not moving spectacularly, and settled onto a reasonably high rate, but perhaps lacking length. We felt we were a little lazy down the gut, but put in a decent move down the plough reach to get our first whistle. Out of Ditton we were told to go now, and produced our characteristic 'stop being lazy' bumps lift to quickly eat the remaining gap. (Thomas)

A beastly headwind, capable of veering into a cross or even a tail from stroke to stroke, showed no mercy to us. We nevertheless kept our wits and rowed strongly and confidently.

Spirits are high, and we feel that maybe we could have gone on forever. But thank goodness we bumped out before Ditton. I might not have any arms left otherwise. (Preeyan)

Peterhouse seemed to think we were a little inexperienced while marshalling, perhaps not realising that we, as preeyan pointed out, had more than 50years rowing experience through the crew.

We had an excellent push off (all credit to Iain.) and with the clear calls from the bank were quickly gaining on them. Whistles started coming in the gut and the bump just before the plough with a satisfying thud. (Thomas)

Slight change of plan, boys! (Preeyan)

Selwyn ahead of us decided to get their act together (or emmanuel had a bad day), or we were a bit hungover from the formal dinner the night before. (I really recommend a three course meal on the Friday of bumps, as a good way to set you up for the weekend.)

Either way, they appeared to drop us early on and bumped out on the corner. At this point I knew an overbump was doable, especially as we felt we'd be a stronger crew into the headwind. So we pushed on, and with calls from the bank that the distance for the overbump was coming down nicely moved onto catz II.

The horrific headwind on the reach helped bunch us up, and we caught them just out of ditton corner.

I really enjoyed rowing with this crew. We were occasionally (often?) lazy in what we did, but if we decided to row well we did just get on with it, be it in paddling, sparring or racing. The attitude remained positive throughout term, and even when things got tough during the last race.

I learnt some new things that I felt improved my rowing this term, old person, new tricks... But definitely makes it all feel more rewarding.

Gonzalo did a good job of stroking most of term, and was very gracious in accepting the last minute crew change. Hopefully he thinks the aggravation was worth it.

The one regret... Not throwing Emma in the river. (Thomas)

Bumps is retarded. And with Caius around, downright dangerous. (In fairness their cox apologised, and it provided a good excuse to laugh at Barrell failing to cycle with a blade...)

We gained on LMBC 3, but Lolcatz 2 gained faster. Had we made it to Ditton we might have stood a chance of rowing over, but we were caught at Grassy. Were we rattled by the the 'collision' that snapped our stroke man's blade? Perhaps. Would we have been faster had our two-man not got so drunk we had to cancel an outing last week? Potentially. But in the words of M3 last year, at times like this I wonder: just what is the point? I might as well go to Cindies and get battered. (S.T. Jackson)

A little excitement up to the start, as Cauis III didn't see us before the Plough and so did a start into our stationary boat. Having replaced my blade and our rudder we were ready to go, and I actually think the disruption calmed the pre-race nerves.

The start was panicky, I suspect as a result of the unfamiliar environment of bumps, but not disastrous, and it took us a while to settle onto a rhythm. Once there the rowing felt alright, and we moved steadily on LMBC III. However, St. Caths II were moving more steadily on us, and coming into grassy they put in a bumps push to which we had no reply and caught us.

Over the next couple of days we've got to dig deep to give ourselves another chance regaining the M3 headship. (Jack)

So before the race, Caius decided to do a racing start into the back of us, snapping stroke's blade, and bending our rudder, as well as snapping their bow's blade. Fortunately noone was injured. After rowing down with just 6 of us and no rudder Ian was great, he had a spare rudder with him, and had the boat fixed in no time. Meanwhile numerous people were cycling in lots of blades (for us and Caius) and we were soon ready again.

I hope the Caius cox gets shouted at, and then learns from his mistake and never makes it again. I assume no one in Caius was injured as they did the race. I hope they're okay anyway.

So onto the race itself. We knew before we started that we were faster than Maggie following nines regatta, we also strongly suspected Catz II were going to be faster than us, we just didn't know what the margins would be.

We didn't start great, I know I personally didn't row very well initially, though we got it together after a bit. But Catz were gaining on us rapidly, we were also gaining on Maggie, but not quickly enough. We were down to 3/4s of a length when Catz hit us.

Did Caius hitting us affect the result? probably not, as far as we're aware all damage was repaired on the spot, and everyone was fine. Psychologically sure we we're shaken a bit by the incident immediatly after it, but there was a big gap between that and the start of the race, and it probably didn't affect our performance much.

All things told not a great row, but a fairly okay one cut a bit short, it was dissapointing not to get Maggie but unfortunately this is the nature of bumps, sometimes it isn't sufficient to be faster than the crew ahead. (Jack)

Well Hughes Hall had 2 blue boat rowers a goldie rower and the blue boat cox in their crew. More returners than M1 let alone M3, as well as a full compliment of other massive grad students. It's fair to say the odds were against us.

This race went better than yesterday, the loudness of the cannon under the bridge made us jump a bit and the first 3 strokes wern't great, but we recovered quickly. Although we made one or two mistakes these were also fixed quickly, and all things told I'm far happier with todays race than yesterdays.

All our best efforts wern't enough to hold hughes though, and we were bumped going into first post corner. (Jack)

Inevitably Hughes Hall M1 had no trouble munching us. Best of luck to them in their quest for worthy opposition. The row was I think a little spacky but that was probably a consequence of rating so high to last as long as we possibly could. Which turned out to be until just before first post corner.

Tomorrow we MUST row over to give ourselves the chance to make the bump that we deserve. Our start will be saner, with a stride and everything, and then we will have the advantage of a clear river ahead (assuming Hughes/LMBC clear promptly...) (Jack)

This was over quickly. We did not especially enjoy it.

Some say Hughes Hall actually is a genuine place, and that at least one of their crew really isn't a middle-aged land economist. All we know is they were badgering fast.

That said, a much better row than yesterday. Rowing down to the start with all 8 blades intact might have been a contributing factor to this. To change the result however, would have required a lolcatz fail of an even greater proportion than lents. Surely not even they could crash before first post? Perhaps Newnham could give them some tips on that.

Onwards (yet not so upwards), to Peterhouse tomorrow. I don't know who they are. I don't know what they want. If they are looking for a bump, I can tell them we won't give it to them.

Massive effort tomorrow, so we get the headship chance that we deserve. (Pete)

Being chased by yet another quick crew on for blades again, and same result as before. We didn't row particularly well, but lasted longer than before, making it just out of first post corner.

Cheeky overbump on Hughes for M3 headship tomorow =P (Jack)

Dubious row up followed by scrappy race, and this swift Peterhouse crew had no problems catching us. Good commitment from Josh who put on a gruesome show for the spectators after clearing.

Spoons tomorrow? No thanks. (Jack)

Last night we recieved an email from Magdalene assuring us that if we held Robinson to first post, they would bump them. Although we held up our end of the bargain, holding them just onto the Plough, Magdalene didn't get even slightly close to them.

Today was a good row, a hard sprint of the start, unlike on previous days we didn't panic as they got close, and held them well. But they steadily gained and bumped us on the exit of grassy.

All in all a very disapointing week. But perhaps we can take some solace in the fact that although we might not have blades with FaT III written on them, four other colleges will.

Totally didn't accidently add this to W2 instead of M3... (Jack)

Robinson II were faster and bumped us on Grassy.

An unfortunate result, and not how I would have chosen to end my time at First and Third, but no matter. We worked hard this term, and by the time of bumps the crew was unrecognisable as the crew who lost to Christs W2 at Champs Head. We should be proud of the progress we made, on the erg and in the boat, and not be too disheartened that a high starting position and an inexperienced crew prevented us from converting that progress into results. (Jack S)

I really, really dislike bumps racing. (Preeyan)

We were feeling quite confident after a good row up. A decent start in which we held station on the crews around us was followed by a terrible stride, and the rowing continued to deteriorate as Christs II closed. They caught us on Grassy Corner.

In an attempt to add injury to insult, Jesus III, with a broken rudder, plowed into us at race pace, snapping their bowman's rigger and causing our stern pair to leap onto the bank in terror. Dazed by this drama, I congratulated Pembroke II on bumping us, when they had done nothing of the kind. Let's make sure they don't tomorrow, either. (J.G. Shotton)

We were never going to hold off the much faster Pembroke II who caught us just before Grassy. However, today was much calmer and more together than yesterday, and we should be confident going into tomorrow's race. (Jack)

At times like this I wonder: just what is the point? I might as well go to a John's swap and get battered. Or even go to Life. (Preeyan)

Preeyan, you mean like just what's happening now (00:38 Friday 11th June)? (Mark)

Clare M2 went off very hard in the first (and only) 90 seconds of the race, catching us at the end of the gut. We rowed well today, though, and I was optimistic about our chances of escape right up until Alex called easy there...

Never mind all that, we've got a third boat headship to defend! (Jack)

That bigger hair makes you row faster is widely known; less familiar is the mechanism by which this happens.

Individual strands of hair are in fact intricate assemblies of pipework, turbines and belt drives. Gusts of wind spin the turbines which drive blood pumps situated deep under the skin, forcing oxygen-rich blood away from the head into the legs and dramatically increasing aerobic power.

Enthusiastic petrolheads will notice that this is exactly how a turbocharger works - superfluous air pressure is utilised to enhance power and speed. Hence the name 'turbohair'.

However, cautious medics will spot the risks inherent in reducing blood flow to the head. There is a wafer-thin line between superiority and blackout, a risk not to be taken lightly.

Spooning is not to be taken lightly either. So no haircut for me tonight. (Preeyan)

In some ways, this was the worst possible bumps campaign - spooning to lose the third boat headship to LMBC on the last day. On the other hand, we should be pleased with the way we raced today, holding off a strong gents eight until Ditton, and we coped with the pressure better each day. Indeed, we had a pattern of holding our ground on the crew in front the day after they bumped us.

This was an unsuccessful but eventful bumps (what with being T-boned by Jesus and blockaded by a mysterious floating island), and today's gritty row caps it nicely. (Jack)

Very nervous splashy start + quick settle at rate 32 = 2.5k rowover. Simple really... We did manage good lifts out of every corner and there was some fairly clean rowing on Plough reach.

On the upside we were pretty much on station with Selwyn II when they had overlap on Grassy. We were still on station at Morleys Holt when they finally hit Pembroke II !?! I suggest we unpack some Seb style controlled aggression for 2 minutes tomorrow and wipe out Pembroke by Grassy. Christs behind us overbumped Churchill and I reckon they had closed a little on us so tomorrow really is going to be a bump or get bumped day. See you all at BA Dinner..

NB. Just realised its been a pretty crap day for Churchill men; two of their boats got overbumped... (S.C. Mertes)

As ever, it's generous of Christian to give the opposition a sneak preview of tomorrow's tactics and a taster of our mindset. (It's reassuring to note that it's exactly the same information as he put in an email to the crew.) Some would label this a tactically poor decision, but what do they know?

However, if you're a member of Pembroke II or Christ's II, you're probably thinking: 'That's all well and good as far as it goes, but I'm left wanting more. I know they're going to be sprinting, but where are their pushes going to come? What are their specific technical foci (Latin plurals are 'in' at Pembroke and Christ's) and, when it comes down to it, where exactly are they going to blow up?' Fear not, and read on.

Our start is pretty standard: three draw, five wind and ten lengthen, although we haven't yet come to a unanimous agreement on precisely what 'draw', 'wind' and 'lengthen' mean. For now, the consensus seems to be that if we rush up and down enough, and splash up enough water, then no one will notice. By then, we'll be into what we optimistically call our 'rhythm', and bowside will stop bothering with their finishes, so look out for some comical lurches from side to side! In contrast to today's row, tomorrow will see us rating as high as possible - expect to see numbers in the high 40s or low 50s. Don't expect to see it translate into boat speed, we're just trying to scare you!

Fingers crossed, we'll make it to first post corner without being bumped, and Sarah will call for Martin and Charles to get their 'catches in' and the 'work on early'. Christian and I will obligingly ease off until Sarah tells us that we're straight, at which point Martin and Charles will ease off in equal measure.

In the gut, WE SHALL TAKE OUR FIRST PUSH. Call us unconventional, but we like pushing out of corners. Bow four will return to normal pressure, while Chris and James will take it up to half pressure. Get ready for a serious increase in boat speed! But again, don't be concerned, they can't do it on their own, and they'll have to give up when they realise no one else is going with them.

Grassy should be one for the spectators. Rowing connoisseurs will recognise a classic example of 'skying at the catch', as Christian and I attempt to go for length we haven't had for years. If we've made up any distance on you at all before now, this would be a good time to get some back.

On the Plough Reach, WE SHALL TAKE OUR SECOND PUSH. After the failure of the previous push, we'll all really go for this one, and this will probably be the closest that all eight of us get to trying our hardest, on average. Pembroke II, this is where you really prove yourselves as a crew - if you survive here, you've earned your rowover. We'll certainly have enough left in the tank for at least another push or two, but they'll be a little despairing and we won't go for them with quite the same gusto. REMEMBER, if we haven't got you by Ditton, you're safe.

Christ's II, this is the point at which you can bump us, if you haven't done so already. My advice to you would be to hold back a little - there's not much you can do about whether or not we bump Pembroke II, and you'll want to be in the best possible condition to capitalise on our lack of fitness.

I'm sorry if I've gone into too much detail, but it could be useful for you to know it all. If there's anything you need clarifying, or if you're just curious about erg times, get in touch - we'd be delighted to help you out. (BJ)

lol :) (Thomas)

They must've thought you were bluffing. Blazed. (Tom C)

With utter disregard for Bryn's explicit and well publicised race plan for today we bumped Pembroke on First post corner.

There are a number of things I wish to point out.

1. We are doing what all Gent's VIIIs do: row over with mediocre committment on day 1 thinking "must hold back a little" and "better not die by Grassy" and then go up 4 by sandwiching.

2. If anyone from Pembroke read Bryn's report it did it's trick. They thought we were going to push OUT of the corner whereas the plan (agreed at last minute, well 2 minutes before the gun anyway and only really between Charles and me) ended up being pushing INTO the corner.

3. We have now thoroughly established and proven beyond doubt that we go faster rowing VERY badly at rate 38 than rowing badly at rate 32. The clinching piece of evidence was Sarah's "whoopydoo" while bouncing out of the coxes seat at the boathouse like a haribo on crack.

In conclusion we should have done this yesterday but hey at least we're learning... (S.C. Mertes)

"Haribo on crack" - that marketing drive never really caught on... (Mark)

Awful, messy, unsettled and not all that fast start. 1 whistle coming into the gut, 2 at the Plough, 3 coming out of Ditton, shortly followed by continuous whistling at the bottom of the reach and a bump thanks to prudent concession by the Cats cox one stroke before our bowball would have hit the side of the boat right next to her. It was incidentally also one stroke before I would have let go with my outside hand on the rockover and tapped their stern which was about one foot to my right.

Mediocre splashy pushes came when we heard the whistles, the bits in between were just very bad. Once in a while an encouraging "you're still moving on them" came from Bullock on the bank but a little more information regarding the distance would have been appreciated. I don't think I was the only one who thought we were loosing them in the gaps between the whistles.

All in all probably the gutsiest row we have had but also by far the most ineffective in terms of putting our infinite power into finite strokes in the water.

Plan for tomorrow is Wednesday's technique + Thursday's motivation + today's infinite power. Hope I am not giving away too much. (Well I definitely am not as this is a retrospective race report written on Sunday morning). (S.C. Mertes)

Rematch for the first day. Same result, not much more needs to be said really. I'll do it anyway.

We were just inside station off the start and crossed the finish line at just over 1 length apart. We wanted to go off with controlled aggression to actually move some boat rather than air and water (or any combination of the two). This worked fairly well and we went off hard at the start. No whistles by Ditton meant we let it slide to rate 32. We still had a push out of the railway bridge and a wind to the finish but this term's focus on sprint training to the exclusion of all aerobic exercise started to show. Cats remained outside station until just before they got bumped under the railway bridge. Congratulations to Selwyn II who have made it into the 2nd division. Also I apologise for my previous race report stating our intention to go up 4 and get into division 2. In a very gentlemanly way we have left that one for next years M3 to sort out.

I think this was the best row we have had all week. I thoroughly enjoyed being in this crew even if I only made the boat because I organised it. I hope no-one is too emotionally scarred from putting up with me. And so my rowing career finally comes to a close. I have many happy memories of spending way too much time at the boathouse and I think I may just miss it.....

.....in 20 or 30 years time.....

.....maybe. (S.C. Mertes)

Despite the relentless bullying that we've given him over the last term, and the last week in particular, I'm confident I speak on behalf of the whole crew in thanking Christian for getting us together. It's been a fun week - just a shame we couldn't get him the up five he was so keen for! I think up two was at least one more than we deserved...

(Thanks to Emma as well - you're not forgotten, but I think we were less cruel to you.) (BJ)

Messy, but exciting! Girton's cox went very wide on the approach to First Post Corner. Sonya had the common sense to keep her line and took a nice corner, breaking down the 1.5 lengths of open water Girton were maintaining. As soon as the whistle went, the boys snapped into action and made their move very quickly and Mo made solid contact with Girton's canvas before they could bump Selwyn.

Now, boys, would you be so kind as to pull over BEFORE you start the celebratory cheering tomorrow... gave the umpires a bit of a scare. (Cynthia)

My first Bumps race as a cox and it was amazing!!!(I rowed my actual first race two hours before this one with certainly less success-see Danny's report)
I am certainly getting the hang of bumping so guys let's keep the good work up and nail Selwyn tomorrow! (Sonya)

Not good enough. At least this year they didn't overbump in front of us. (Thomas)

Long hard row over because we didn't commit to the push in the Gut. This will change tomorrow when we chase Churchill. (S.C. Mertes)

Commited and Fast. Gained after Churchill had a below par start and reeled them in to 3/4 length before the stride. Seemed to spend an age (about 5 strokes) sitting in the chop off their stern canvas before bumping and clearing to watch the carnage.

Thomas

P.S. Remember to log off the system when leaving the boathouse computer (Natasha)

Good race. They had a comparatively weak start so we had whistles before we'd settled. Another minute of sprinting brought us the bump on first post corner, giving us a nice view of the carnage as the rest of the division piled up on the opposite bank. (Alasdair)

I really really wanted to blow the whistle, as I didn't have the opportunity to do so, yesterday. I requested a bump before First Post Corner and M3 delivered. Well done, guys! (Cynthia)

Power and heart drove the boat within striking distance of Selwyn, but the endurance just wasn't there. Churchill thought they were going to catch you on the downswing, but you held them off. Fantastic effort all week, but today was stellar. Heads up, be proud of what you've achieved this term, boys! (Cynthia)

Since most of us are shamefully unfit, we went for a fast bump. After a strong start and several maximum effort pushes we had overlap on Selwyn II around Ditton. Unfortunately, our fitness then let us down and Selwyn got away, leaving us a painful row-over in front of a closing Churchill II.

Great race though, credit to Selwyn II for not giving up after a couple of whistles like some of the boats in the division.

Overall, a pretty good result considering the amount of training we did. Thanks to Cynthia and Dan for coaching and bankpartying, we would have spooned without you. (Alasdair)

I though the row over on the second day was painful. I had no idea what was to happen on the last day. This race was very close and devastating but we at least know we gave it all out there and put everything in the last race. That is something to be proud of as well and we will get our revenge on Selwyn next year.
Thanks guys for making my first Bumps(as a cox) so much fun and thanks to Cynthia and Dan who managed to keep believing in us and coached us! (Sonya)

Yeah so Selwyn proved today they are quite a bit fitter than we are. We had suspected this and went off really hard winding to 44 and settling to 38. We left Churchill II behind off the start. Selwyn II managed to keep it together with us on overlap around Ditton and then pulled away fairly swiftly as we hit rock bottom after an exhausting 1k sprint. Churchill II came within 1/2 a length on the finish line. Cheers for an awesome race guys and kudos to Churchill and Selwyn for making it a very interesting day. (S.L. Stoneman)

Good start to bumps. Christs maybe gained half a length initially but fell off round grassy and we took Tit Hall II out of Ditton with a neat bow to stern bump from Emma, although hopefully we can make shorter work of it against Girton II tomorrow.

*Edit* And I'll be keeping my eyes firmly in the back of Matt's head today after seeing those photos. (Andy S.)

Congrats, Christs had some very optimistic whistles, but only really came up to 3/4s of a length before you held them off at a length for the rest of the race, gradually wearing down Tit Hall the bumps was clinical. Well done! (Lorry)

The 2nd of 4 crews in a bit of a cluster, the crew did well to pull out a good row when it mattered. Bumped at the start of the Reach. (Martin P)

A long race, never got within range for a big push and magdalene were poor enough to get caught by morleys holt on the overbump. At least we have a nice target for tomorrow. (Thomas)

Unfortunately no match for Girton II - things getting tough now mixing it with 2nd VIIIs. However, a good looking result in the form of Magdalene getting overbumped ahead - the crew have to contend with a rising Christs II behind them tomorrow who were denied on the first day. (Martin P)

Quick and easy. Same again tomorrow please! (Andy S.)

Well done guys!

When I first saw you paddle i thought you had an interesting 'style', but not a bad result for you. (Martin Y)

My final bumps race ever. *sniff* Being right next to the cannons wasn't the best place to start - we set off deafened by the reverberations. The stride didn't really happen and the killer bumps push was a bit limp, but we got them pretty quickly and a bump is a bump!

All the best to crews next year - I'll be back to watch! (Andy S.)

A good way to finish the week. The rowing wasn't pretty and due to the blast of the gun most of us couldn't hear the lengthen and stride calls. We were just faster than them.

Thanks to tom andrews who subbed in for Adam Csenki.

Good luck to those moving on to other things. (Thomas)

The crew were in good spirits on the way down, with two beefy starts and a paddling speed which left Pembroke II for dust (good as they were starting ahead of us). LMBC III, two ahead, were reportedly okay and Downing III behind us looked terrible.

A fairly mediocre start with quite a bit of ripping was disappointing, but we quickly settled into a very powerful, long rhythm that would have impressed Pembroke II if they'd be watching. Unfortunately they missed it as they were too busy getting whistles before we'd even strode down. Our usual plan almost held distance with their Bumps pushes, which bodes well: Hopefully LMBC III really are THAT bad.

Of course, our race was just beginning. Miss. Leadbetter neatly steered us round LMBC/Pem and then St.Eds/Christs who were on First Post. This meant Magdalene II were hopefully flailing around somewhere in Plough Reach, just waiting to be overbumped. With this thought we almost took our rate up, and joyfully headed around Grassy.

Disaster! Magdelene II overbumped Clare II! Taking time out from watching Brian's head, I asked Catherine who we should push for now. A sad shake of her head told me all I needed to know (NB: I don't NEED to know any maths).

In hindsight, the quadruple overbump on Girton II would have been eminently possible if we'd ever trained for more than a two minute race. And we'd rowed as a crew. And they'd crabbed. Lots of times. It will be interesting to see how Clare II do over the rest of the week, and of course Magd have put themselves in front of St. Eds, which may prove problematic.

Fitz II behind us made a laughable attempt to overbump us; their cox certainly got very excited. To give them their due, we only stopped twice on the reach - footplate failures, uncertainty of the finish point, and just plain tiredness after a longer piece than some of us had managed in a year - and they must have been within distance before we took it up for the finish.

Bring on LMBC III and the third boat headship, I say. (Dan)

By freak coincidence the entire crew ran out of suntan lotion with only the back of their necks left to cover. Luckily we are all row-fashion gods (and goddess) and we had all brought baseball caps. A simple 180 spin of the brit-brim-forward style and we were safe from those harmful rays.

Interestingly it seems the 6 man has the b(r)e(a)st pectoral definition, perhaps even pushing for a B cup. Others in the crew are not far behind though and so some form of official measurement is called for before the week is out. If anyone would like to volounteer to be the independent arbiter email djtn2.

In other news we had a solid row over and are looking to bump a Maggie crew on Thursday. (Dan Newton)

Basically, it turns out that we're just much slower than we would have liked... I guess that's what happens if you only have 'exactly 10' outing. Fortunately, our row today was incomparably better than yesterday's (while still leaving plenty to be desired!), and our practice burst on the reach is hopefully an indication that by the end of the week we might be capable of a half-decent turn of speed.

In the meantime, we're chuffed about getting the 3rd VIII headship and looking forward to bumping Clare II tomorrow to maintain a pleasing symmetry with the Lents.

Most importantly, my fitness and tan are improving on a daily basis. (BJ)

The sun was shining, our hats were backwards, the water was calm... but our minds were elsewhere: We were petrified of another rowover.

A major rethink of our race plan (pull really hard. No, no; REALLY hard) and a complete overhaul of our start (maintain for 20 rather than 15) gave us the false hope we needed and again we approached the start in high spirits.

The start was a lot better, and I was quite enjoying myself. We got within a length of LMBC III after 30 seconds and a minute more saw us within half a length. We had to swerve around some bumped out crews ahead and didn't deal well with the cornering. The boat just would not sit - I can't believe I'm saying that given our crew, and that we're in a novice shell. Still! When the canvas whistle came we practially doubled our boat speed (and sat it past the cameraman, which was a nice touch).

The scum hung on for an admirably long time, but we got there. Yay, a headship at last!

PS We did a burst at 36 on the way back that was definitely our best rowing yet. Come Saturday we'll be ready to race! (Dan)

It seems a culture of humourous and silly reports with little factual basis has become the norm for M3. Excellent.

This was the most erotic bump I can remember. Two giant phallic structures - one red, one blue and gold. The blue and gold approached the back end of the red and ever so gently rubbed up and down the helpless side of the red until their cox gave in.

In other news this was Rupert's first ever headship. (Dan Newton)

Bumped. Big deal.

In other news... Thunderbirds are coming................. (Dan Newton)

Bumps: 3
Blades: no

Thunderbirds performances: 4
Thunderblades: YES!!!

I think that tells you all you need to know about this crew. (BJ)

Hey! We were NOT bumped by Emma III. In a rerow of just us and them chasing us, they nearly had us at Ditton corner, but then we pulled away all up the reach. A fantastic row! (Monster Munch)

Hmmm I've changed the result, but the bumps chart hasnt altered.

And yeah, that was really satisfying - I can now see why so many people voted for "being the one that got away" in the poll. (Fergus)

Three years ago I was bumped by Emma III, rowing in the 4th VIII.

Two years ago I was bumped in a one on one re-row.

Ghosts put to rest. (Keith)

By "nearly had us" we mean a foot away. A race of Golden legends :) Now we must get Tit Hall tomorrow. (Tudor)

When a blacksmith forges a steel tool, he must successively anneal, harden and temper it. It needs to be both hard and tough. Too much tempering and the tool will blunt like butter; too little and it will shatter like glass. There is one easy but potentially terminal way to test it: the hammer test. Hit it hard with a hammer and see if it breaks.

The grads have been annealed, hardened and tempered in training this term. Today was their hammer test. Today they showed they are both hard and tough. Today they proved they are a crew of true mettle. (Smiley Mark)

Sorry for the mistake on the rerow result. Had just seen you row over... just had a bit of a short curcuit :-( (Martin)

Yeah! What was Julia saying about the sweet feeling of rowing away from your opposition during a row over........? She was right- sweet indeed!

Well rowed guys! (Aileen)

The lower half of the division was caught up in some monster carnage, apparently caused by Magdalene II bumping Downing III and totally failing to clear. By the time we ploughed into the gridlock, just past the motorway bridge, we held Emma III at what we believe was just outside a length. However, they cheekily asked for a rerow - and in an umpire decision that was as controversial as this week's Michael Jackson jury verdict, their request was granted.

For the rerow we started from the top station, just ahead of W2. Despite a much better start, this time Emma really *did* close to within a length at Grassy, to within half a length past the Plough, and to within a few feet by Ditton corner. Just like Icarus was drawn towards the sun, the bright golden glow of our crew shirts seemed to exert an irresistible pull on their oarsmen. And just like the legendary adventurer of the Greek myth ended up having his wings melted and clipped, Emma equally couldn't cope with the heat: Their bow man's blade got stuck in Fergus' maelstrom-like wash, he caught a massive overhead crab (have a look at Martin's pictures!), and Emma's challenge was effectively over.

Down the reach we pushed them into the distance with surprising ease - perhaps they still had equipment issues, or their burn-and-die race plan had reached the second phase. Today Emma III will start right behind us again, but we hope for a quick bump on Trinity Hall III to put us out of Emma's reach for the foreseeable future. (Christoph)

We were worried when we saw 'red mist' and no 'golden glow' at the horizon as we were marshalled an moving up towards our second race of the day...

Gloriously we had an excellent view on the great start the guys had in their rerow. Emma III did look strong, but were ultimately found wanting!

The 1st women wish their sparring buddies the best of luck in today's racing!! (Pia)

Nicely done just after the motorway bridge. Strangely less exciting than yesterday's row over away from Emma but probably because it was rather easy. The most satisfying thing was that Emma were nowhere to be seen. Mwahahaha (Aileen)

The golden lycra-clad grads tore into the Trinity Hall all-blacks like a bright bolt of lightning into the heart of darkness...

Ok, I'll stop the metaphors here and now. Anyway, the bump leaves us right in the middle of a cluster of five crews all vying for the 3rd boat headship. A good result so far, and certainly a very solid row today. (Christoph)

Closing on LMBC III, but, as expected, they bumped the much slower Downing III before we really had a chance. Tit Hall III and Emma III bumped out behind leaving us a relatively relaxed row over. (Monster Munch)

Quick bump as expected, just after the motorway bridge. Unfortunately wedged Downing into the bank a little. A good week of bumps, earned by our row-over on day one.

Having gained off the start on Maggie before they hit slow crews on days 1 and 3 we'd have liked to have had a go at them over the whole course for the third boat headship, though they did well to bump today.

A few more days and
we might have got the red scum.
Who said bumps was fair? (Neil)

Well, this was shocking. Our start was alright - pulling about half a length on Downing M3 - but in a similar way to the Nines - we fell to bits not long afterwards - with very little power being put down. Downing III behind closed up the gap quite quickly - and we were roughly on-station with LMBC III in front. Downing got us right on first post corner.

This was utterly disapointing - most of our practice pieces have been so much better than this. Whether the difference was due to the headwind up 1st post reach, or the fact that our 3-man was found passed out at 4a.m. outside Cindy's, I don't know. Tomorrow we will look to have a much better row down and race and try and catch Downing before they get Maggie. Maybe we could look for the cheeky overbump on Magdalene M2. (Richard)

A better row than yesterday overall. We had quite a reasonable start - either holding station or gaining a small amount of distance behind. Peterhouse II started to make a move about half-way up 1st post reach - gaining the first whistle just before first post corner. We had to go very wide on 1st post corner to avoid a boat which had bumped out - but Peterhouse were able to get a better line - giving them their 2nd whistle. They closed up to about 1/3 of a length at Grassy corner - where both crews had to go wide to avoid crews bumped out on the inside of the corner. Our lift out of Grassy was extremely good - and the gap started opening out as we found a nice rhythm - we had about a length by the Plough pub (although the Peterhouse bank-party were still giving 2 whistles!!!). I think at about this point the 4-man of the Peterhouse boat came off his seat or something like that - as Peterhouse disappeared into the distance. At the entry to Ditton corner - we had nearly 2 lengths clear water. A very wide corner by the chasing boat saw the gap grow further. Peterhouse looked to be at least 4 lengths down at the Railings - and not long after I think a crab ended their challenge as Trinity Hall III came up and hit them for the overbump. With Clare III about 400 metres behind - we wound it down to about 20 - although we took it up slightly for the finish as practice.

Overall today was a row that we can, generally speaking, be reasonably pleased with - but we can still step up a gear or two. Tomorrow we're chasing Maggie III again to send them down to their lowest ever position in the Mays. (Richard)

The start was reasonable, not as good as our practise outside the plough and maybe not even as good as yesterday. Rowing after the stride was a lot better than yesterday though.

I was getting a bit worried by grassy when Peterhouse were within half a length and seemingly closing, but a good push out of grassy and a nice rhythm through plough reach saw us stretch our lead to about a length. Then came the wonderful sight of their 4 man loosing his seat around ditton, forcing them to take a terrible line, allowing us to move even further away. Rest of the row was pretty relaxed after they were overbumped by Tit Hall halfway down the reach. (Phil)

This was not so good. After the gun - we closed slightly on Maggie infront - but Trinity Hall III behind closed much faster. A bit of spannering before the motorway bridge let Hall close to 3/4 of a length, and they kept advancing. We got our 1 length whistle on Maggie just after the motorway bridge, but we couldn't hold off Hall behind - who made contact at 1st post corner.

Overall today wasn't nearly as good as yesterday - we never really found the rhythm that we had yesterday.

Tomorrow, Hall will likely bump LMBC III before 1st post corner to win their blades, leaving us chasing Pembroke II for the overbump and their spoons. Behind we have to hold off Emma III - who are being chased by an angry looking Peterhouse II (Richard)

We made a quick crew order change to see whether we could enforce a nice rhythm. Our practice start and 30 second piece under the Railway Bridge felt very nice from inside the boat - which gave me confidence that our real race was going to be good. Our practice start outside the Plough wasn't quite as good, but after a short burst in 1st post reach we arrived on station and spun with about 12 minutes to go.

After the gun - the start wasn't quite as good as I'd have liked - and I had several bad strokes early in the race which allowed Emmanuel to get to about 1 length off us. We soon settled into the rhythm that we had been looking for all week and held Emma at about a length and a quarter for most of First post reach. Ahead of us, Trinity Hall III bumped LMBC III at the top of 1st post reach to leave us chasing for the overbump on Pembroke II. A nice line through the gut and Grassy corner saw us move from a length and a quarter to outside distance and we increased this distance up the Plough Reach with a nice push out of Grassy. Just before Ditton, the heavens opened as torrential rain came down. Our cox wasn't amused, but our rhythm was unaffected. As we rounded Ditton - Emmanuel were significantly outside distance and were continuing to fall back, despite one pretty bad stroke just after the corner. We continued closing in for the overbump on Pembroke, but we were running out of river as we neared the finish. Coming through the Railway Bridge, Emmanuel were about 5 or 6 lengths down, and Pembroke ahead had held us at around 2 lengths. We tried a rolling start to get another couple of pips to try and push for Pembroke, but something on 2's footplate broke, and our challenge for the overbump was effectively over. Peterhouse II who had fallen a long way back early on were now pushing Emma hard, who had crept up on us slightly - but we took it across the finish at Morley's Halt around 4 lengths clear. In the distance, all 4 crews behind also rowed over.

Today's race was probably the best race in which I've sat in the stroke seat - and the rhythm felt pretty good throughout.

Overall, we've had a slightly disappointing bumps - finishing down 2 places, but today's row-over felt very nice and we can restore a bit of pride with the race. Although we set out for rowing for the overbump - it was always going to be a bonus and rowing-over was the real target of the day. (Richard)

A good start saw us close to a length off Selwyn before they pulled away. Ahead of them, Girton bumped Downing III, Selwyn achieving an overbump on Maggie III scum ahead at Ditton.

A strong push from Fitz II towards the end for the overbump saw us scramble over the finish line with not a little relief.

So tomorrow, a weak Maggie III in front of us. Scum. (Andy)

This was a tough re-row, Magdalene II chasing us all the way to bottom finish at Morley's Holt, with nothing for us to chase. The crew went a bit hard off the start and actually managed to open up the gap to Magdalene initially, although this quickly became a length and a quarter. Magdalene only really started to close inside a length after first post corner, but the guys had not really worked out how to respond, so were hit by the Plough. (Dubya)

We set off with the aim of catching LMBC III and quickly started hearing whistles, unfortunately, LMBC were closing quickly on Downing III ahead. Around first post corner, we got to a canvas off LMBC, but Maggie bumped Downing before we could bump. We were so close that we had to hold it up to avoid carnage. Magdalene II asked the umpires for a re-row which they were given.

It was always going to be a tough re-row with Magdalene being a fast crew and their knowledge that they could go very hard off the start with nobody behind. Magdalene gained much quicker than in the original race finally hitting us just before the Plough pub. Later on we have to avoid Fitz II and maybe look for the overbump on Maggie III. (Richard)

This was simply stunning and quite possibly the best row I have ever had. Fitz M2 almost overbumped us on the first day, while Magdalene in front were substantially faster than us. We started off holding station with Magd. while Fitz started to creep up on us. Magd had bumped out by first post corner (to a simply shocking Downing III) while the boats behind them did the same. It was simply us or them. Fitz continued pushing hard and we were finding it hard to hold them back and by grassy they had overlap. Their horn was blowing continously, but there was no fat lady singing.

With Joan Osborn (and other FaT supporters at the plough) screaming support for us on the bank, it was obvious to everyone that we would only survive with amazing coxing, top notch rowing and a powerful response to every push they made. If one man in our crew believed that we were going to be bumped, that would have been it. But we are a bit more bloody minded than that. The push out of Grassy gave us 1/4 of a length of clear water, a better corner at Ditton meant that they were too far from us to make the bump physically on the reach. Much of the reach was spent with overlap, but we knew when we were going to really give it some. Our unsustainable push out of the Railway Bridge gave us clear water again and now, with Fitz directly behind us, it was the push for home. They got close to overlap again, but we were having none of it.

The call to easy was superb. Fitz behind us could not bring themselves to speak, our bank party were near hysterical, and this only left the afternoon to explain to all my friends on the bank that Fitz will be chasing us again tomorrow (but briefly, because we are going to hit Downing so hard and fast they won't believe it).

Todays row showed what its all about... what a team. (Michael)

Copycats. :-) (Matt)

These guys really pulled it together to row away from Fitz, who were right on their tail all the way from Ditton (where we were very nearly bumped). (Dubya)

We knew today would be tough, after being bumped by Magdalene II in the re-row, we knew that they would catch Downing III pretty quickly and so we would be left chasing the overbump on Maggie III whilst trying to avoid Fitz II who came a bit too close for comfort for the overbump on day 1. We did pull away from Fitz II initially, but Fitz soon approached fast - faster than Magdalene II did in the re-row. They had overlap round grassy (although I didn't realise at first - judging distances is difficult from the 2 seat) and we managed to push them away. They pushed again, gaining overlap at Ditton, but their cox steered for the bump and missed sending Fitz wide whilst we held the racing line and we once again had clear water. Again Fitz pushed and gained a significant amount of overlap, but we responded well and held them at bay. We passed under the railway bridge and they still hadn't converted so we pushed hard and gained a small amount of clear water which we held to the finish line. Awesome race. (Richard)

We were out to do what we did yesterday, since at some point Downing would get in the way.

Fitz II were out sprint into us, before we could hit downing.

Fortunately Fitz dont know how to sprint, and despite our rowing being rather messy they were rapidly well outside distance.

Downing got in our way after about 2 minutes, and at long last... greenery. (keef)

After our epic race yesterday, most of the crew were on a bit of a high and were very keen to make it all worthwile by bumping a slow Downing III today who were on for spoons. On Thursday, we'd closed nearly 3 lengths on Downing by First post corner when Maggie III had bumped them, so we knew today had the potential to be a short race. Despite this, our race plan was simply to stay ahead of Fitz and eventually by doing so, we'd hit Downing. We had expected Fitz to go very hard off the start to try and catch us quickly in revenge for yesterday, however after the gun, we pulled away from them surprisingly quickly - maybe they'd given up on the idea of hitting us and were keen to save energy to ensure that they could stay ahead of Peterhouse II who were on for blades. We quickly started hearing whistles from our bank party and after seemingly no time at all, we had overlap, I felt the boat suddenly move to bowside and heard the call to hold it up - we'd bumped - and before top station. After the rest of the division had passed, we pulled into the other bank to collect our greenery, congratulations from our coaches and the rest of our bank party, and a bottle of champagne which the 3rd ladies' hadn't managed to finish off. We rowed back with applause and cheers from the bank and switched to rolling sixes to finish off the rest of the champagne.

After getting bumped on the re-row, it would have been very easy to have fallen on every subsequent day, however a brilliant last two days for us have seen us return to where we started with only Maggie III between us and the 3rd boat headship. (Richard)

Things were pretty even off the start, but once we strode and pushed into the motorway bridge we started to catch up with Jesus III, bumping them by First Post Corner. (Matt C)

A good race. We did not make an optimum start with Peterhouse II gaining half a length and Jesus III pulling away. By the time we strode things were more how we expected with Peterhouse losing a substantial distance to us. The whistle started to be blown at the Motorway Bridge and Jesus III were rowed down at First Post Corner with Peterhouse at least 3-4 lengths behind us.

Fitz II tomorrow, who have been bumped and were in a pack Jesus were gaining on. Bring them on! (Michael)

Managed to get them before 1st Post corner, good solid row. (E.P. Peacock)

Wicked race. we wound to 46, strode down to 39 comfortably held it there and had them by first post. Bring on Girton! (Daniel)

We gathered that Sidney II were a fast crew, but would crack under pressure. A good fast start winding to 46 had the desired effect and they reluctantly conceded halfway between the motorway bridge and 1st post corner. (E.P. Peacock)

We thought Sidney II would be in a different league to the previous two boats. They had entered several races and did well. We overestimated them. With the fastest start I've ever made in a boat we had taken a quarter of length from them before we had finished our wind and a bump followed several lengths before First Post Corner.

Looking forward to tomorrow. Girton II fancy their chances against a slow Selwyn II ahead of us, but if we manage a start half as good as today that will be academic. (Michael)

Our best race yet, my best ever. With reference to the rating of 39 I am proud to report that we also had some cover. (Rob)

Not as good a start as friday, but still not bad and had only half a length or so on girton coming into first post corner and then they bumped the muppets in front of them. anyway due to our proximity to their tail we had to stop before we plowed into them. this enabled the sidney crew behind to close to within a length or so before we took off again after the overbump. not sure why but we didnt quite row as well as we had been and although we closed to about 2 lengths off we couldnt finish it. (Dan)

We had to easy in the gut when Girton bumped out in front of us. It is hard to quantify the delay this caused but Sidney II who started behind us and were well back got quite close. It think we lost a length or two and so without a delay we would have had a good chance of overbumping Downing III. However, in the event we were not quick enough. (Rob)

when we stopped in the gut, sidney really gained on us and the previously unlikely prospect of being bumped seemed about to happen. we made a scrappy restart, but the rest of the race was difficult and demoralising. (E.P. Peacock)

The Gentlemen of the 3rd VIII convened this afternoon, and once aquaintances had been made, paddled to the start.
A glorious afternoon, a leisurely row and the thought of a pub stop on the way home were marred only by broken seats, rudders and riggers.
Still, our practice start could have been worse; the real one was. Rudely bumped by Selwyn II somewhere before Grassy, we at least were able to retain enough energy to make it back to the Fort St George. (Dom)

Gentlemen should not have to row over. Simple as that. Today it happened, Girton II might have got within distance after our smooth but 'leisurely' start, but by the end they were trailing by 4 lengths.
The crew was v. disgruntled about having to row the whole course, not being able to stop off at the P&E made matters worse; post race debriefing had to take place at the Plough. Such is life. (Dom)

An untidy plough reach before Homerton charged in to view cost the crew dear; thereafter panic spread as it became clear that their new pursuers were absolutely flying.... Had the crew realised they only needed to pass Peter's Posts they may yet have held on - but fell apart and were hit pretty much on the finishing line. Particularly disappointing after the good row over yesterday. (Martin)

Missed Maggie by a canvas (nearest approach) at Morley's Holt. (Dubya)

Missed Maggie by half a length (nearest approach at the railings). (Dubya)

We knew that if we were on station at the Plough then we would get them before Chesterton. We were, and we did.
3rd VIII headship: sweet! (Simon)

Head 3rd boat !! Rah!! (Dubya)

3rd Men's VIII were a kick-arse crew in '97 (at least we thought so, having netted the most womens crews during the season). Famous for our ridiculously tight "Beat Me" Tshirts...
Didnt get off to a good start on day 1, and rowed over. :-( (Christian)

Took off at a cracking pace and caught Jesus III with ease (Christian)

Another good start, a tougher race but still bumped Selwyn II hard enough to need repairs that night. (Christian)

Toughest race of the Bumps, pushed out hard and ground down Magdalene II with a well-steered race from our sexy Cox. If only we'd gone out harder on the 1st day, there might've been Blades.... (Christian)