The Club's Results

Setting out for what was our second outing ever as a full crew, we were eager to see what we could do relative to the boats around us in Bumps.

Before boating, we had agreed upon a seriously aggressive first leg without holding back on the rate - something that I at first thought was a little risky given our lack of practice, but it turned out to work just fine.

The first leg we agreed was "satisfactory" - we went out there and got down the course with plenty of aggression and not too much spacking. However, it still fell short of what we wanted to achieve - although everyone's attitude and approach was spot on, we let ourselves down round the corners by letting the boat roll around too much under us and not responding quickly enough.

The second leg was much better. Although we had less in the tank and had the stream to deal with, we made good use of the tailwind and kept it reasonably neat. This, together with spectacular lines from Emma (particularly round first post) ensured we kept the crew behind at bay until we got to the long reach, where a big wind for the line saw us pull away.


A promising start to the term, beating both Robinson and Churchill M1s. However, still lots of work to be done, with which we will hopefully find plenty more speed, and with any luck provide stronger competition for Emma and Fitz come Week 8. (Gonzo)

Well done lads, I was listening live on the radio, top stuff! (Mark)

Boys, we may have to revise our original bumps target of 'up 12'.

But great stuff, seriously. (Leachy)

Another epic, nailbiting rowover in front of Christ's. Multiple deja vu moments from last year.

Hopefully tomorrow we can throw Churchill into the mix for some variety! (Gonzo)

I suggested before the race that the boys go for a 3 minute race plan. This tactic was based on three assumptions: 1. Emma ahead would bump Churchill within 3 minutes; 2. Kings would bump Christs behind within 3 minutes, and; 3. when crews go for a 3 minute race plan, they usually hold back sufficiently to see them through 5-6 minutes of solid racing if necessary.

The first assumption proved correct, the second incorrect and the third assumption woefully off the mark. I've never seen a crew attack the start of a race with quite the level of commitment these guys managed, and at about the 2 minute mark they were starting to blow. Christs closed in at a terrifying rate around Grassy and having been on the bank with M2 for three years now, seeing Christs close to 1/4 of a length was like deja vu all over again. However, the boys dug deep down the Reach and crossed the line with about 1/3 of a length in hand. The rowing wasn't pretty, but the result was great and set up the rest of the week.

Rows like this embody everything that a great FaT M2 should be. (Phil)

Nice job, good to see M2 moving up the charts again! (John)

Well done, boys! (Justus)

Excellent result. (Matt)

I got a blood blister on my finger under the motorway bridge. It hurts if I press it.

...

As yet, I have received no sympathy whatsoever. (Leachy)

Nice weather today, boys, well done. (Leachy)

Fortunately, even if you define 'matter' such that rowing does (which isn't necessarily easy; cf. http://tinyurl.com/2g9mqh), an M2 doesn't. Huge congrats to M1, you guys deserve every bit of that headship. I don't know what a bit of a headship is, but hopefully you get the idea. P (Leachy)