The Club's Results

Overtook Jesus M3 in the first leg. (T.G.S. Pink)

A decent row on a nice course. We lacked aggression - probably put off by the unfamiliar feeling of feathered blades - but still held a decent rate for the course. This was probably our last outing in David Jones so we look forward to returning to our usual aggressive chopping in 803 (square blades of course). Many thanks to our subs who had already raced twice beforehand. (R.J.T. McLaurin)

Having had a "remember how to row strokeside" crash course in the M1 race beforehand, I went into my 3rd race of the day without much power left in my legs but with mildly better bladework.  (D. Lee)

Last week, we received some feedback from our subs that our start was 'lacking aggression' and 'weak' (thanks, Chris). It seems the collective subconscious of the boat really took this to heart, because despite having little starts practice since then, our start here was anything but. Moving to a comfortable number of lengths fairly early, we then failed to settle into a comfortable rhythm, leaving us with a slightly scrappy but 'easy' victory. (R.J.T. McLaurin)

For the race we gained significant distance between the two boats off the start then only ever proceeded to widen the gap. We did manage to stray into the middle of the river which got us a warning from the umpire, but we were so far ahead at that point I don't see why it should have warranted one. Our third best performance of the day. (T.G.S. Pink)

Logically, given that we've thrashed Maggie M3 at every head race this term, this should have been an easy race. Unfortunately, this time, our collective instinct decided to generate impressive quantities of splash rather than a healthy lead, so we had a rough and scrappy first 800m. One positive is the discovery that, powered by sufficient fear, the crew can hit and hold a very painful rate 40 for about 500m. By the bridge we had burnt out enough to row properly and walked away down the home straight. (R.J.T. McLaurin)

The start was good. Then the boat refused to settle for what seemed like ages. When it did we moved off quite well and gained some distance between us. This did not last however, perhaps due to tiredness or some other factor but the boat began to lose its grace once more, but we managed to keep the distance between the boats at a comfortable level. (T.G.S. Pink)

An excellent row from both crews and certainly our second finest rowing of the day (the first was 1 really good pause at arms away). Catz were a bit bigger than our previous opponents and incredibly tenacious, but we held a decent rhythm and kept them away fairly consistently for the whole course. (R.J.T. McLaurin)

The arms away mentioned above was to rowing what the hands of Michelangelo are to the Sistine Chapel's ceiling.  (T.G.S. Pink)

A poor start upset the boat (though I spoke to Pembroke's 3 after my lecture and he thought it was good) and we didn't really settle at any point after that. We held them pretty close to about the railway bridge but a few awkward slams down to strokeside meant that soon after I could no longer hear their cox. Everyone continued to push, but not to the same degree as before and there was no dramatic improvement in technique.  (T.G.S. Pink)

Sometimes, powering your boat with fear (and tea from a great bank party) rather than ergs stops working, and this was one of those times. A very messy start saw the complete collapse of my core and my (limited) memory of the rest of the race is filled with splash and pain. Despite some great commitment from the crew we struggled to gain much. A well deserved win from a very fit Pembroke crew.  (R.J.T. McLaurin)

On Monday (R.J.T. McLaurin)

*fewer (Jedge)

Start the race, blade feathered (oops). Is that a whistle already? Yes. Yes it is. Oh, we've bumped them. That wasn't so bad. (T.G.S. Pink)

The M1, W1 and M3 divisions were cancelled today due to snow and ice on the towpath. (Chris E.)

Owing to high wind and low temperatures, the W3 and M3 divisions were cancelled today.
(Jon)

I always assumed that the first time I was bumped would be an epic, exciting race, probably lasting to the railway bridge. This was none of those. However, I couldn't have asked for a better crew to be bumped with. Some great commitment saw us move on Robinson, but ultimately we had to settle for a level week and the retention of the M3 headship.  (R.J.T. McLaurin)