The Club's Results

A solid and committed row which we were all fairly pleased with. Disappointing to have lost to Kings and Pembroke by 6 seconds, but then we had all raced a couple of hours earlier in IVs. For a scratch crew at this stage of term the whole row was promising. (Phil)

Result shows we might not be so far off the pace as we'd perhaps feared, which gives us a good base to work on between now and Fairbairns. We (and Mr Darley on the bank) felt the rating off the start was a tad comfortable, though as it turns out we made it to the first timing point fastest bar one crew. Being slightly less refined in the windy conditions on the reach meant we gave most of this advantage back. (Andy)

A slightly disappointing row, lacking the aggression of last year, although the slow time is due partly to a nasty head wind in the second half. I'd like to think that the 1k times are more representative when comparing crews in different divisions, apparently it was calmer in the morning.

It's encouraging that we weren't soundly beaten, as in the autumn head, and this must be our smallest margin of defeat in this race for a number of years. But the likes of Jesus will be a lot better than the opposition here, so the foot won't be coming off the gas in the next couple of weeks, not even slightly. (Tom C)

Results earlier in the term suggested that this race would be close, and a lot of crews were capable of winning. We thought we could do it. It's very disappointing to miss such a good opportunity.

A few things went wrong on the day. The start wasn't great, it's hard just getting in the boat and going. I think it was ok up to Chesterton, but then it never really came together, and we weren't keeping the oars in the water for long enough. Also the catches got a bit dubious, and the boat wasn't running quite straight. We did at least keep the rate at 34-ish the whole way, and couldn't have put any more effort in.

Last year was soul destroying because the margin of defeat was incomprehensible. This year it still hurts a lot, but we're in touch with the opposition, the door isn't closed. There are serious technical issues that we can resolve to gain a lot of boat speed, and we can get stronger and fitter. If we stay on the bus, it'll take us to better places. (Tom C)

Uncut sapphire. (Andy)

Okay, we won, but to be fair the top competition were dressed as Xmas presents. Incidentally, they (LMBC) won the prize for fancy dress, but since they'd buggered off by the prize giving, it got awarded to someone else. The race wasn't too bad, given the 'training' we'd done. Rated as high as we could and it all came right. Very disconcerting coxing upstream through the Elizabeth Way corner at speed. Continuing the theme of novelty presents this term, we got a shot glass. Nice. The last one (a scarf) was actually useful today as I had a sore throat. As I write this, several hours later, I can't speak properly anymore. (Andy)

I was pleasantly surprised by the level of technique in this scratch VIII - lots of us hadn't rowed for a long time, and we drew members from all the levels of the club.

Certainly a good amount of power in the middle of the stroke, although it would have been nice to keep the finishes in a bit longer. This had felt okay in the practice outing (read 'a last ditch attempt to kill or cure Dan's hangover') but went totally on race day. Lots of fun afterwards comparing forearms and the associated burning pain. The rate stayed well up - in no small part due to Coker and Sills in the stern - although this did mean the boat was suicidally heavy at the catch. Every stroke a max weights test... fun.

(All good for the legs, and it'll be nothing compared to the power going down as we round Ditton in Lents xx) (Dan)

Lots of sunshine, hit a duck, held boat at heads for ten minutes, ate mince pies and a won shot glass... Beats sitting in the lab on a Saturday afternoon ;) (Sam)