The Club's Results

First Bumps race for the whole crew went as smoothly as one could expect. We started with one of the rowers having woken up 30 minutes before push off. Padling to marshalling was actually quite good, we were almost sitting the boat level. Marshalling was fun even if a bit longer because of div 5 having to re-row their race.

As the canons went off we had a great start gaining a bit on Queens’. Pembroke had a great start as well, so much so, that they gained half a length on us after the first 10 strokes. By First-post they were practically alongside us, which continued till Grassy, where they decided to take a rather fascinating line. With the crew moral back in the boat, we actually put down some serious power. Unfortunately though we had some „length issues”, so Pembroke pretty much cought up just before Ditton. However our line once again was a bit better, so we got saved from getting bumped again.

Coming out of Ditton we gave 110%, so we can survive through the Reach. This wasn’t helped by the fact that an anonymous 6 seat cought a moderate crab. We went through the Reach with Bella having a sight of Pembroke’s bowball the whole time, only her coxing masterclass keeping us alive. Under the railway bridge, however, we could not keep them back anymore and made contact with them. The crew started winding it down, just as we got the information of Pembroke being bumped 1-2 seconds before they could’ve bumped us. So we rowed over the first day in a dramatic, exciting manner.

(Bálint Tóth)

I was umpiring on First Post.

I saw the third of a length gap at First Post.

I heard about overlap at Grassy through the walkie-talkies, before Pembroke went wide.

I heard about overlap at Ditton, before Pembroke took the scenic route. 

I heard about the formation of a sandwich, with Kings M2 closing rapidly.

I heard the Umpire state "pretty simultaneous bumps, but Kings clearly bumping first". I may have done a little dance, rather than being impartial as I should be. (Thomas Frith)

Apparently Kings M2 were comprised of rowers who all have 2Ks below 7 minutes.  (Thomas Frith)

Today, we were unfortunately side characters in King's M2's redemption arc. We had a good start sequence, unfortunately we didn't settle after our cox Bella's power call. King's were closing in on us at Grassy, so Bella pulled out our kill-or-be-killed call: "Defcon-1", although our 5-seat Gianpaolo preferred "Morbin' Time". We pulled away from King's M2 at first, but couldn't hold them off and were caught past Ditton. 

Thinking the worst was over, we pulled to the side in a timely fashion and with great efficiency. However, Pembroke M3, hungry for revenge came barreling down towards us. They got the bump, by hitting our stationary boat and our cox's head with their bow's blades. Unfortunately, this was not to their advantage and led to a fine. We entered the next day with renewed determination to bump King's M2 and hold off Corpus M2. 

(Rakesh Arul)

What can I say about this race? We were caught by a better crew. Our coach said we rowed well, however the Corpus M2 behind us had higher wattage and we had "length issues".  

(Rakesh Arul)

The final day of bumps, we were excited to deny Lucy Cav M1 their super-blades. Unfortunately, this was not meant to be. They powered ahead and caught us around Grassy. All in all, a very fun first bumps campaign for all of us recent novices in the boat, and we will all enter the new year with renewed determination to do better!! 

(Rakesh Arul)