May Bumps 2010 – Reports

Pembroke College Boat Club

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Race Reports

M1

Wednesday: 4th in Division 1. UP 1 – Bumped LMBC

A nervous start led to the crew not hitting their rhythm and Downing came up significantly to around two thirds of a length. Ahead of Pembroke, LMBC moved up very quickly on Jesus and opened up a gap between us. This was how the crew entered Ditton corner, but coming out they hit their stride and began to wind in LMBC. At the railway bridge the gap had closed to just half a length, but the river was rapidly running out and Pembroke put in a very big push. This moved Pembroke further up onto LMBC reaching a canvas by Morley’s Holt. What followed was a great race to the finish, a huge push by Pembroke and some great steering got us the bump about 15 strokes away from the finish.

A fantastic result and great race.

Adam March

Starting 5th on the river, the challenge for this bumps was obvious. After a slightly shaky start, we failed to hit a decent rhythm around the corners. LMBC ahead moved out to some 2.5L clear, and a fast Downing crew behind started making ground steadily. At the top of the reach, with Downing about 2/3L behind us, we finally found a good rhythm. Downing soon blew up behind us and LMBC were reeled in stroke-by-stroke. With just 10 strokes to go until top finish, contact was made (arguably for the second time) and LMBC had to concede.

John Hale

Thursday: 3rd in Division 1. UP 1 – Bumped Jesus

A much better start than the previous day saw Pembroke push onto Jesus very quickly and gain several whistles along Plough Reach. Coming out of Ditton the crew again came together very well and moved up on Jesus with every stroke getting the overlap fairly early once on the long reach. They bumped convincingly (and possibly more than once) after an extended period of overlap. Again a great result and the crew were happy to have a shorter row!

Adam March

After a tough first day, we knew we had to get off to a faster start to challenge the crews in front. The start was indeed faster, and we found a good rhythm quickly which helped us through the corners (along with some great lines by Tim). Jesus were soon feeling the pressure and the bump became inevitable after a great Ditton corner. After we picked up the pace once more, Jesus had no chance and were caught just before the railings.

John Hale

Friday: 3rd in Division 1. Rowed Over

Saturday: 2nd in Division 1. UP 1 – Bumped Caius

W1

Wednesday: Head of Division 1. Rowed Over Head

After a confident warmup, we had a fairly good start. We moved away from Jesus, despite settling into a very relaxed rhythm. After Ditton, we paddled over at 26 or so, yet still pulling away from Jesus, who were under pressure and got overbumped by Downing.

Very much looking forward to proper racing tomorrow! Bring it on!

Samantha Bennett

Thursday: Head of Division 1. Rowed Over Head

Our pre-race preparation was calm, focused and strong, and we handled the windy conditions well. After an easy first day, we were facing stronger opposition from Downing on this second day of racing. We were able to ignore the crew behind and focus on hitting our rhythm after the start. In the strong tailwind, we found a solid rhythm and started moving away from Downing in the gut. By Ditton, we were two and a half lengths clear, and had a great row down the reach, easing out to four lengths at the railway bridge. We let the rating relax as we took the extra distance, crossing the line comfortably at 28. We know we can do it – bring on Friday!

Samantha Bennett

Friday: Head of Division 1. Rowed Over Head

Saturday: Head of Division 1. Rowed Over Head

M2

Wednesday: 4th in Division 3. UP 1 – Bumped St Catherine’s II

We had a good warm up with a powerful practise start leaving us confident for the race. The boost of adrenelin at the start caused us to rate several pips higher than our usual but no one panicked and we gained steadily on Catz. We bumped at the start of Plough Reach. The chemists in the boat were particulary pleased to have bumped one of our lecturers!

Jon Gregory

Thursday: 3rd in Division 3. UP 1 – Bumped First and Third III

After a fair start, we failed to settle to a lower rate (again!) and had to have a second stride. Despite struggling to find our rhythm in a strong tailwind and being thrown off by the dirty water we kept the strokes powerful if a bit lacking in finesse and secured an easy bump just over a minute into the race. A successful continuation of our slap’n’dash campaign, but I think we’d all like to bump and stay dry tomorrow!

Jon Gregory

Friday: 2nd in Division 3. UP 1 – Bumped Selwyn II

The crew responded fantastically to the possibility of a slightly more challenging race. A very powerful and relaxed paddle to the start made up for the delayed division time. Thanks to a bit of practise on the ergs the crew strode the rate down successfully off the start and hit a really enjoyable rhythm. Strong pushes out of First Post and Grassy Corner gained half a length each; after this it was just a matter of holding the rhythm and waiting for the bump on Plough Reach. A vast improvement on yesterday’s row, and a real reflection of the crews true potential.

Jon Gregory

Saturday: 17th in Division 2. UP 2 – Bumped Corpus Christi I and Emmanuel II

W2

Wednesday: 2nd in Division 2. UP 1 – Bumped Peterhouse

It was a short and sweet bump on the first day for W2. After a solid row down to station the crew were rearing to go. When the gun went they got off to a powerful and fast start, getting the first whistle whilst still on their starting strokes. It didn’t take long for them to convert this to two, then three whistles, at which point the "unleash the martlet!" call came in and W2 went in for the kill and got the bump on Peterhouse W1. A great start for W2 and their move to the second position of division two sets them up for a very exciting second day.

Alex Page

Thursday: Head of Division 2 & Sandwich Boat. UP 1 – Bumped Jesus II

Friday: Head of Division 2 & Sandwich Boat. Row Over (Div2) + Tech. Row Over (Div1)

Saturday: Head of Division 2 & Sandwich Boat. Row Over x2

M3

Wednesday: 8th in Division 4. UP 1 – Bumped St Catherine’s III

After a solid start we settled well. The rate meter was broken so we can’t be sure how fast we were really going but we definitely weren’t getting carried away with the occasion as we maybe did in Lents. It soon became apparent that Clare III behind us weren’t a threat but that still left the task of chasing down St Catz III who we hadn’t seen all term.

It took until close to First Post for the first whistle but after a strong corner we were on top of them and caught them at the start of the Gut. Tomorrow we will be chasing Downing III who were caught by Caius III on the same spot where we ended our race today. We feel confident that we can catch them but it could be a longer and harder race.

Paul Ledwon

Thursday: 7th in Division 4. UP 1 – Bumped Downing III

Today we expected a slightly harder race than yesterday but were still confident we would bump out pretty soon. After a mediocre row up we had another solid start, rating over 40, and after a stride to 34 ate up the boat lengths on Downing III. We soon heard whistles and bumped them so quickly that Kev didn’t even have time to ring his bell. We ended up half way down First Post Reach having started under the bridge. 42 strokes says it all. Caius III did us a favour today and overbumped Kings II. Tomorrow will be a much tougher race as we try and catch Kings before they bump Selwyn.

Paul Ledwon

Friday: 7th in Division 4. Rowed Over

After a good row up we found ourselves under the motorway bridge – terrifyingly close to the gun. A good start followed by some slightly poor rowing around First Post Corner saw us close slowly but surely on Kings II. We were well on course for bumping them on Plough Reach but sadly Selwyn III’s resistance crumbled and caused Kings to not only bump out but also block the river slightly.

After holding it up for a short time we were instructed to continue rowing. Even then Downing III behind us weren’t anywhere near us. On the reach we found our rhythm and gained a few lengths on Emma III in the distance. Unluckily for us, this is one of the stronger crews in our division and they overbumped out shortly after the railway bridge. Had we had either a bit more time to catch Kings or a slower boat for the overbump, we would have been rewarded for our effort. Tomorrow we can have our revenge on Selwyn by getting them spoons!

Paul Ledwon

Saturday: 6th in Division 4. UP 1 – Bumped Selwyn III

W3

Wednesday:10th in Division 3. Rowed Over

Thursday:11th in Division 3. Bumped by Emmanuel III

Friday:10th in Division 3. Bumped Emmanuel III

Saturday:10th in Division 3. Rowed Over

M4

Wednesday: 13th in Division 5. UP 1 – Bumped King’s III

Three eager draw strokes coupled with an excellent starting line (thanks to Kev) gave Pembroke’s 4th Men’s boat their first whistle before reaching their stride stroke. The distance continued to decrease as they rapidly approached Kings III. As the two crews passed under the A14 road bridge and Kev prepared to give 2 whistles, Kings’ 6 man decided to catch an overhead crab and sit out the remainder of this very short race. Pembroke sailed by the floundering crew ahead of them and pulled in to watch the rest of the division with smiles all round – M4 make it 4 out of 4 bumps so far on Day 1.

Chris Bryan

Thursday: 12th in Division 5. UP 1 – Bumped Sidney Sussex III

The start was strong, and the crew began to take distance off Sidney III immediately. Going under the Motorway bridge, we as bank-party could see that this wasn’t going to be a long race; the crew was really gaining ground fast. A quick bump a couple of boats up left some traffic to navigate going into First Post Reach, and cox David really made the most of Kev’s early warning to “stay left”. It was to our advantage that the Sidney cox wasn’t so aware, and therefore had to employ some evasive steering that really didn’t do anything for the speed of their boat.

At this point, one whistle swiftly became two, two became three, and before we knew it there was the bell and a bump. Even without the traffic, the bump would’ve come soon enough. A great performance to watch – keep it up for tomorrow, gentlemen!

Chris Hinde

Friday: 11th in Division 5. UP 1 – Bumped Robinson III

What a weird race. The boat set off well; we were just finishing the start sequence and moving into our race pace when one of the Robinson crew crabbed spectacularly. The cox, seeing us advancing at quite a gallop, then threw her hand up as we were still a quarter-length off! Anyway, we bumped – which is fantastic – and tomorrow we’ll be going for the full set. We’ll give it all we’ve got!

Chris Hinde

Saturday: 10th in Division 5. UP 1 – Bumped Jesus V

M5

Wednesday: Head of Division 6 & Sandwich Boat. UP 1 – Bumped LMBC VI

M5 were the epitome of cool as they swooped in for the bump on LMBC VI to take the top spot in Division 6. They kept calm through the bells and whistles, even those in the crew making their Bumps debut, and quickly converted the signals into a bump. Nabbing their prize in the Gut (seems a popular place for Pembroke bumps today!), the crew had only a few minutes’ rest before a row back to the top to assume their position as sandwich boat at the foot of Division 5.

The day’s second row remained strong, but resulted in a row over. We will have to work harder tomorrow to get Fitz III ahead, but with nothing behind us, we can safely give it all we’ve got.

Chris Hinde

Thursday: Head of Division 6 & Sandwich Boat. Rowed Over x2

The crew’s row over at Head of Division 6 was very convincing; we opened up five lengths over LMBC VI, and were taking it steady by the end of the Long Reach.

However, race number two as sandwich boat proved a little frustrating. Despite our best efforts off the start, a very quick bump between Fitz III and LMBC V left a huge amount of open water ahead, and it became clear that there wasn’t to be an over-bump for us today. On the bright side, there is a good chance that we’ll enter the Division proper tomorrow, with the twice-bumped LMBC V as our targets. This will certainly be a very fit crew by the end of the week…

Chris Hinde

Friday: 17th in Division 5. UP 1 – Rowed Over (Head of Div 6) and Bumped LMBC V (Div 5)

No more double row-overs! Yes, M5 have made it to Division 5. As part of the bargain, we’ve helped set up an interesting LMBC VI vs LMBC V battle back in Division 6… we’ll be waiting to see how that pans out for them. A good row from us, holding steady and winding them in along First Post Reach. More of the same tomorrow, please.

Chris Hinde

Friday: 16th in Division 5. UP 1 – Bumped Kings III

M6

Wednesday: 9th in Division 6. UP 1 – Bumped Girton IV

As we waited at the start, a YOUNG BUNCH of 8 rowers, we knew we had the potential to bump. A jockey may use a CANE to make his horse go faster, but instead we had our cox (who is from Belfast, not from DERRY) to encourage us.

We were chasing Girton IV off the start, and they had a good start, but shortly after we started catching them and the whistles came. Rounding First Post CORNER, the Girton cox CUSD-IN her seat as we rapidly approached, and it was clear that we would get them, and sure enough we got them shortly after. WELLER it was a good first DAY for Pembroke M6, with a victory, just like the NORMAN forces at Hastings.

Elgon Corner

Thursday: 8th in Division 6. UP 1 – Bumped Clare IV

O-WEN shall we catch them today, was the question we were all asking before the start of the race, about the crew we were chasing; they CALL-‘UM Clare IV the boat in front. It was windy today, and we got off to a bit of an unbalanced start, but soon settled down into a rhythm. The boats behind us were EL-GONe a long way off in the distance with no danger of catching us, which was ‘ANDY as we could just focus on bumping the boat in front. We started gaining on them but still pushing hard; it took us a long time from one whistle to 2 whistles, but once we had 2 whistles they PETERed out. We quickly got the 3 whistles AN’-DREW level shortly after, before 2’s blade contacting their bow gave us the bump, after a great line from our cox at First Post Corner.

Today’s race was A-LANdmark victory, and we are now looking forward to TOMorrow when we’re chasing FaT. As a German rowing fan shouting on the bank put it “You guys could VIN-AY race against anyvone.”

Elgon Corner

Friday: 7th in Division 6. UP 1 – Bumped First and Third VI

Today we were chasing FaT VI, and after a good row down we were ready to race, but the start was delayed by half an hour. Anyway this gave us an opportunity to chat to our bank party, who we are very grateful for.

FaT’s boat was old, it had obviously been CHRIS-tened a long time ago, but that was still no excuse to steer it into the bank, which is what they did shortly after setting off. As the cox KIRST-‘Ymself about his mistake, he managed to steer his boat back into the middle of the river, but the damage was done. Like a CAT chasing a mouse, it was only a MATTer of time before we caught them, and sure enough we caught them before First Post Corner.

Rowing back, and not wanting to be PETTY, we gave our unfortunate victims the obligatory 3 cheers. The whole crU-GLOWed with excitement after 3 successive bumps. We are now nervous about tomorrow’s potential opportunity to become king of the CASTLE, and maybe win blades. The delayed start meant we were all hungry for lunch, and so rushed home for some well deserved MCKANE oven chips.

Elgon Corner

Saturday: 6th in Division 6. UP 1 – Bumped Downing IV

Today we were chasing Downing IV who had rowed over the previous 2 days, so we weren’t sure how good they would be. All we could tell was that they were not FAT, and seemed to have some degree of technique. With some of us having been to balls the previous evening, and having to be up at 9:30, we knew today would be tough. We set off well, and gained rapidly however, catching them in front of the early morning crowds on First Post Corner.

Just to CLAREify, our bump today was our 4th, meaning that we got blades – get in. That is definitely something to celebrate, and we will be DOWNING a drink or two to celebrate this evening. Mays have been great, I’m sure the memories of the past few days will linGIR-TONight, tomorrow, and for many months to come.

Elgon Corner

M7

Wednesday: 13th in Division 6. UP 1 – Bumped King’s IV

Thursday: 12th in Division 6. UP 1 – Bumped Downing V

Friday: 11th in Division 6. UP 1 – Bumped First and Third VII

Saturday: 10th in Division 6. UP 1 – Bumped Clare IV