Clare
II got a poor start, so we got to within a length of them by the
motorway bridge. They held us and started gaining on Robinson
to within half a length(?) by 1st Post. We'd pulled away from
Selwyn off the start, but they had pushed into us to a distance
of a length being pushed hard by Catz. Cats eventually bumped
them in the gut.
Rounding grassy it was about 3/4 length between Robinson, Clare
and us. After that, Robinson held off Clare and we (very gradually!)
caught them up. The cox conceded about half way down the reach,
but I'm told we bumped them a few times before that point!
Men's
1st rounding Grassy on their way to bumping Clare I
Men's
1st with their foliage after bumping Clare I in the Long Reach
Back
to the top
A
week full of ups and downs for Ladies 1st (By Helen Russell.)
Wednesday
Our lent bumps
got off to a very shaky start, with the events of Wednesday
resulting in Jenny, our cox, being taken to hospital and several
of the crew being injured. Due to a hold up ahead of us, we ended
up being blown into the bank, with 1st & 3rd and Girton not seeing
us quickly enough to stop rowing, or even slow down. So, several
bangs to the head later, and having extracted our boat from beneath
the Girton boat, we limped back to the boathouse. Technical row-overs
were given to the crews involved.
Thursday
Thursday arrived and we were still unsettled by Wednesday's
events, despite our super-sub Amanda taking over from Jenny (who
had been ordered to rest by the doctor). It was probably this
tension which led to a very dodgy start, a crab, and being bumped
by 1st & 3rd before the motorway bridge. Strangely enough this
calmed us down a lot for Friday. Our aim now was just to get a
decent row.
Friday
We were being chased by Catz, who looked strong, and had bumped
on each of the two days before. This time our start went well.
Catz gained on us but we held them off and were catching 1st &
3rd. However, continuing what was becoming a theme in these bumps,
there was another hold-up in front of us resulting in a re-row
being arranged for Saturday lunchtime. Friday had given us back
the confidence that we lost on Wednesday and we were looking forward
to Saturday's races.
Saturday
The rerow started well and we were gaining on 1st & 3rd and pulling
away from Catz when, yet again, a hold-up meant we had to stop
rowing. A re-rerow was ordered immediately, and we started this
time knowing that 1st & 3rd were within our reach. Cutting a long
story short, we bumped them! Catz had a quick start but
faded as we approached 1st & 3rd.
There
was just time to get lunch and munchies (and underwear - no names
mentioned!) before returning for our final race. This time we
were chasing Pembroke, who were fighting the prospect of spoons,
and had 1st & 3rd behind us. We started well, and were reeling
them in, although our rowing was slightly wobbly at times. Eventually,
knowing we had overlap, we felt our bow hit their stern and we
had bumped!
So
overall we moved up 1 place in our division and will be starting
12th next lent term. Fingers crossed for then...