M2 Lent Bumps Report

Day One: Bumped by FaT IV

Unfortunately not the best first day for M2, despite a lot of effort. Chasing Clare II and being followed by First and Third IV, we got off to a reasonable start, with a solid push off the motorway bridge and into First Post corner leaving us settled down at a good rhythm. However, carnage in the Gut with a 3 boat pile-up (St Edmunds I bumping Girton II were promptly crashed into by a closely-following Clare II) meant that we had to wind down to avoid a serious accident, allowing a steaming FaT IV to catch up rapidly, missing a bump by what seemed like inches from the stroke seat!

Winding back up to full pressure, we put some good distance between ourselves and Trinity, but by this time Clare had scampered off to over a couple of lengths ahead and were also making good speed. A good line around Ditton Corner bought us more time, however eventually the combination of rough water and fatigue along the Reach got the better of us as First and Third closed the gap, forcing us to concede a bump just before the Railway Bridge to our absolute dismay.

Not the best of starts for a very hopeful crew, however we all have revenge in mind when we take to the water tomorrow and have learnt much from our very first experiences of Bumps racing!

Day Two: Bumped by Magdalene

Bumped by Magdalene early on, after their solid start and our panicky one quickly brought them rapidly onto our tails. We rowed on solidly for a little while them right on our tail, but a crab put paid to any chance of a recovery.

All very disappointed, we know we are a stronger crew than them and are determined to trash them Friday.

Day Three: Rowed Over

A much better day for the crew, laying down a solid performance to prevent a recurrence of the last two days. A slightly lower rating but considerably more powerful start set the tone for the rest of the race. Catz behind us attempted to put pressure on us in the very early stages of the race, they themselves being chased by a very eager sandwich Queen's crew, but we held them off well and pushed them away, despite their rather optimistic whistling around First Post. A good, powerful Grassy and push down Plough Reach, gave us the gap we needed to ensure they never troubled us for the rest of the race.

Meanwhile, we remained in touch with Magdalene ahead, and perhaps a better effort around Ditton would have given us the psychological advantage to press home our attack, however they rowed fairly well and despite some small early gains they held their nerve along the Reach to elude us. The reach was almost as wet and windy as it had been on Tuesday, but we remained together and pushed through it to finish as powefully as we had rowed the rest of the race.

Perhaps not a brilliant result, but we showed ourselves that all our training had not gone to waste, and we raced as a proper crew for perhaps the first time.

Day Four: Rowed Over

Another strong row over to finish the week for M2, despite crew illness problems. Phil unfortunately had to pull out due to sickness, but a quick shuffle of Chris Smith into the vacant 7 seat and sub Rob Olford taking his place at bow allowed us to keep a strong and coherent team together.

Off the start, St Catz were clearly pushing even harder than yesterday to get us quickly, and they had little trouble from the Queens sandwich boat behind. It was always clear to us that it was unlikely we would catch Magdalene who had the fairly easy prey of Cauis III, who were heading for almost definite spoons, and indeed we passed them very quickly, pulled in just after the motorway bridge.

We knew that we were stronger and better than Catz, and though they tried to intimidate us with yet more enthusiastic and wildly inaccurate whistling, we kept pushing off them when they tried to close the gap. We were perhaps not quite as fast as yesterday, and never pulled entirely away from them, who to their credit kept the pressure up at about 1 1/2 to 2 lengths difference for most of the race. Good, powerful corners throughout gave us plenty of breathing space, with Catz losing ground through some silly lines around First Post and Grassy. We responded well to final pushes to bring us quickly up the Reach, a final effort off the Railway Bridge bringing us to a relieved but very satisfying finish.

Credit goes to Chris Smith, having to put up with rowing behind me for the very first time, and Rob Olford, racing in Bumps for the first time at such short notice, for their stirling performances. I'm very proud of you all.

James Winchester - M2 Crew Captain and Strokeman