All race reports for Juliet Armstrong
Event: Lent Bumps 2016 - Wednesday
Posted as: J. Armstrong
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We had a calmer start on the second day, with longer strokes and a nicer stride. Queens' had an unusual line off the start, winding up in the direction of the opposite bank, and, even though the cox rescued it, we were able to gain a lot of ground. Striding to 35 around First Post to make a move, a very speedy Sidney Sussex M2 was also moving quickly on us, and once realising that this bump was inevitable I conceded once clear of the corner into the Gut. The rowing was less frantic than yesterday after the smoother start sequence, so bodes well for the next few days.
Event: Lent Bumps 2016 - Tuesday
Posted as: J. Armstrong
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Due to a mistake over cannon timings we had a somewhat hasty start, being not fully pushed off before the start cannon went. Nevertheless stroke managed to wind decently and we pulled away from Maggie M4, which subsequently overhead crabbed and was bumped on First Post Reach by Sidney M2. Winding up to 37.5/38 and striding at 34, we had a good First Post Corner, but Queens' M3 had a push and made some distance on the boat ahead. Taking a push in the Gut, we made advantage of their terrible Grassy (they skirted round the outside of the corner), taking 1-1.5 lengths out within a few seconds. We took another massive push on the Plough Reach and were coming up to a length behind when we were both ordered to stop due to the pair ahead not clearing in time after bumping. A very frustrating end to the day, but hopefully the energy conserved and technical progress made on the row back will assist when the crew is similar over the next few days.
Event: Lent Bumps 2016 - Thursday
Posted as: J. Armstrong
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Event: Lent Bumps 2016 - Saturday
Posted as: J. Armstrong
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Had a solid practice on the paddle-up in our favourite bath tub, and were feeling reasonably good about the chances of a row-over in the race. Even though the Catz crew bumped us around First Post Corner, I think rec squad can afford to be pretty pleased with the rowing this week - more in the paddle down than in the actual races...:P How different it would have been if we'd been able to race properly on Tuesday: nevertheless, a good effort from all concerned. Here's to next term!
Event: Emma Sprints 2016 - NM1 Division
Posted as: J. Armstrong
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This was a display of total domination from NM1. With 3 efficient draws, and an alert cox who gained a great position, First and Third were soon significantly up on Emma. They trusted the length of their strokes to cover much more distance than their opponents, who were rate-chasing, and put in a strong performance for their first race.
With much more to come, and first race nerves calmed, it bodes very well indeed for Clare Novices.
Event: Emma Sprints 2016 - NM1 Division
Posted as: J. Armstrong
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A good stride had NM1 easily up on Christ's, who posed slightly more of a challenge than Emma with a solid middle segment. But our boys pushed on through to deny any attempt at a response to their pace, rowing more efficiently with cleaner strokes than the first race.
By this point, not only the marshals, but several other bank party were impressed indeed - this struck fear into the inner hearts of Caius, whom we were to engage next.
Event: Emma Sprints 2016 - NM1 Division
Posted as: J. Armstrong
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Caius were seeking a rematch for Emma Sprints 2015, when a lack of focus had lost Caius NM1 the semi final from almost a length up to First and Third NM1.
Caius were all about the power, but FaT used theirs with much more effective application in the water, with that beautiful length which seems to be a trademark of this year's crew.
Being half a length up fairly quickly, a double crab from stroke lost little distance due to a lightning response from 7. Caius thought this was payback for falling off their seat last year, but missed the chance to make a committed move. With rudder disruption due to the crustacean interference, there was a blade clash, but NM1 held firm and regained their rhythm to roars of "MOOOVING" from the FaT cavalry on the bank.
An appeal from Caius was dismissed as FaT clearly had the upper hand throughout - a potent statement of intent against the big QErg victors.
Event: Emma Sprints 2016 - NM1 Division
Posted as: J. Armstrong
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Before halfway, it looked like it might be fairly close between these 2 crews. Queens' had a concerted start and initial stride sequence, but lacked the drive and momentum of our boys, which saw them walk on to the finish line untroubled.
All throughout this regatta, NM1 had their heads in their own rowing, and it is that single-minded focus which distinguished them most from other crews, because it is that which has pushed them leagues ahead from outing to outing. It is rare to find a crew with such incredible retention of change or motivation to make each stroke best.
Aside from staking a strong claim to victory at novice Fairbairn's, NM1 are now targeting getting as close to M1 as possible in senior Fairbairn's - massive indeed.
Event: Clare Novice Regatta 2016 - 1st division
Posted as: J. Armstrong
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This was a sterling performance from NM1 in their natural habitat: the dedicated row. After a fairly decent start, they started to pull away from Caius, when an overhead crab from the 5-seat looked set to determine the end of this race. As the bank party had flashbacks to the previous face-off between these 2 crews, when stroke had caught a boat-turning crab, 5 and 4 lacked no speed in their determination to crush any crustacean disturbance and resume the rhythm.
The failure of Caius to capitalise on this incident allowed for NM1 to push through, but a few strokes after the crab the result looked almost guaranteed. While Caius were clearly breaking, possibly because they sensed the phoenix NM1 surging through, our boys pushed hard, trusted their beautiful long strokes and took it by around 3/4 length.
Magnificent.
Event: Clare Novice Regatta 2016 - Men's Plate
Posted as: J. Armstrong
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Due to a few availability issues, 5 of NM5 were bolstered by borrowing the stroke of NM2 and using 2 female coxes.
With the valiant Neil Ibata stepping in to cox his first race, we ventured forth from the boathouse, almost a scratch crew with little or no experience of high rate. Nevertheless, we had a fairly decent practice start and stride and sauntered up to marshalling feeling pleased with the outing so far.
King's NM2 had a poor start and didn't pull away nearly as quickly as we thought. However our lack of rowing as a crew unfortunately showed about 20 strokes in, and, although there were patches of some nice strokes, King's were smoother and took the win.
Event: Clare Novice Regatta 2016 - 2nd division
Posted as: J. Armstrong
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Having heard they were to face NW2, Pembroke NW3 hastened to scratch their entry, allowing our girls unimpeded progress into the semi-final.
Event: Lent Bumps 2017 - Tuesday
Posted as: J. Armstrong
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After a term of solid endeavour towards regaining the M3 headship, M3 initiated their 2017 Bumps campaign with quiet confidence, with M4 having beaten the reigning M3 headship holders LMBC in sparring the week before.
Nevertheless, the unique format of Bumps provided for an interesting set of challenges. M3 set off perhaps auspiciously, stroke missing the first draw, as if to wave to the other boats in competitive greeting.
Since NM1 had outpaddled Clare Hall M1 some time in week 6 last term, we had hopes of a success today. These hopes were fulfilled rather later than expected, with a smooth line from Neil wiping out the opposition at the apex of Grassy.
This is one step forwards, a kill which was prolonged in coming, and one which will be renewed in the next few days.
Event: Lent Bumps 2017 - Wednesday
Posted as: J. Armstrong
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After LMBC III had bumped Magdalene II yesterday at the start of the Reach, it seemed as if our chances would be good to continue our upward surge.
Annoyingly, as is with Bumps, Magdalene II hungered for revenge and smashed LMBC back before First Post, leading us to row over cleanly with little distraction from behind.
Event: Lent Bumps 2017 - Friday
Posted as: J. Armstrong
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Headship regained...
Event: Lent Bumps 2017 - Saturday
Posted as: J. Armstrong
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...headship retained. Highest M3 on the river - conquest.
