2nd Men's VIII - May Bumps 2009

Posted on June 13th, 2009 by Paul Vardanega

Wednesday
We started a bit scrappily but at a high rate. The weather didn’t help matters and we were not putting into place what we had achieved in training the previous week. We did make good ground on Jesus III who fought very hard, but the Trinity Hall II crew chasing us was there until Hughes Hall bumped them. The cox took great first post and grassy corners and the sustained push out of grassy gave us the inside line on Jesus III. The bump was achieved shortly after. Not our best row but it got the job done.

Thursday
We were not as worried about being caught as Hughes Hall is clearly the boat to stay away from in this division. We chased Robinson II with a clear run as Jesus III fell to Hughes quickly. Almost a carbon copy of Wednesday’s race we caught up with them on grassy where the bump was achieved. It was a more pleasing, professional race and everyone felt a lot more relaxed. Tomorrow we face the old enemy for PBC in Girton.

Friday
The Robinson II crew made a great start behind us and were gaining ground, we held our nerve in this early period and they were soon caught by Hughes. We got our first signal quickly but had trouble getting the second which we lost on occasion. The cox took great lines around First Post and Grassy but Girton II were tough and fought extremely hard. It took the inside line and a good push on Ditton corner to achieve the bump. It was a good, hard fought row by all the guys in M2. Tomorrow presents our most challenging day, chasing LMBC III, hoping to catch them before they catch Fitzwilliam II. M2 are on for blades but Saturday is going to be a big challenge.

Saturday
Today was always going to be a challenge. We were chasing LMBC III who we were confident of being able to catch. However, LMBC III was also in pursuit of a very slow Fitzwilliam II crew. Our finishing coach Frank Suess told us to front load the first 2minutes of the race as that was the margin we were going to have. M2 made one of the best starts we have ever managed going off at rate 41 and gaining a length on LMBC III by the gun sheds. Unfortunately, LMBC held their nerve and caught Fitz at first post. Another 30seconds or so and M2 would probably have had their blades. The row over was professional and solid and the whole crew was content in the knowledge that we did all we could. Up three in total and a very successful bumps campaign.