News

Churchill Boat Club were out in the rain at Molesey this Easter. Despite the weather, the rowing was excellent and a great set up coming into Mays!

M1:  :-( Bumped by Caius M2
M2:  :-( Bumped by Hughs Hall M1


M1: :-( Bumped by Caius M2

So the final day. Now or never. We went into it knowing we didn't perform yesterday, and knowing that we were faster than the crew in front. Whilst sat on the start line, after the 4 minute canon, the Marshall told us that the Downing cox had turned up without a life-jacket, and if they didn't find one in the next 2 minutes they wouldn't be pushing out, and we were to row past them and pull into the bank and be awarded the bump. They found a life-jacket. So we would have to do it the hard way...

The start was good. A bit scrappy, but it got the job done. We gained a whistle on Downing coming into First Post, and (in compliance with our race plan) made a push almost as soon as our start was over. One whistle became 2, and we took Grassy well. Unfortunately, after 3 days of hard racing, we didn't have the stamina to sustain it, and they pulled it back to a length on the Plough Reach.

It was then that our cox box decided to play up. The high pitched whistling sound it was emanating meant that we couldn't hear what Evan was saying. We can't blame the bump on this, but it certainly didn't help. The "up 2" call coming out of Ditton resulted in stroke rowing at rate 36, and everyone else rating 34. But Caius took a fantastic line around Ditton, and were on top of us at the start of The Reach. The high winds took us a little by surprise. They slowly gained on us, and made contact about halfway down The Reach.

The past four days have been a steep learning curve for the crew, with 7 of the 9 people in the boat having never raced Bumps before, and most only starting rowing in October. Hopefully M1 can continue to build on these experiences and head into May Term with the desire for a good result.

Tom Heycock, Men's Captain



M2: :-( Bumped by Hughs Hall M1

It was the last day of Lents and we were determined to finish on a high. Unfortunately we also knew we were being chased by Hughes Hall I – an incredibly strong crew who easily secured blades. But we went out there with the sole intention of rowing our own race and challenging only ourselves to our limits.

The row down was perhaps the best of the competition with the boat well sat and some powerful starts. Our heads were clear and we were optimistic as the sun emerged.

We had, as ever, a strong start that held Hughes Hall I off not far from station - very impressive. As we strided it out though their size and power saw them rapidly gain on us. Despite the fast approaching threat we kept cool heads and remained relaxed and composed. A final call for a push for 10 was not enough to escape the bump before first post corner.

So we ended up with spoons. But we also close the competition knowing that those results are not representative of the effort we have put it, and in particular how rapidly we have progressed considering the very short time spent rowing together as a complete crew. All members of the crew should be extremely proud of their work. Considering the fact we were being chased by very strong crews each day, we put in some solid performances and imrpoved every day of the competition. That shows great grit and, in my eyes, is far more important than the story the results board tells.

Amidst it all, top work, guys. Very well done.

Josh Hodgson, Men's Vice Captain

M1:  :-( Bumped by Downing M2
M2:  :-( Bumped by Clare M2
W1:  :-( Bumped by Murray-Edwards W1

M1: :-( Bumped by Downing M2

Rowing down to the start, we were confident. Everything had gone well: the practice starts were good, and we had a full bank party. Our minds were set on the row-over.

But Downing were tremendously quick off the mark. They had a whistle by First Post corner, and were closing in fast. Coming around Grassy (which we took well) we made a push to get away from them, but by then it was too late. They had overlap for the majority of the Plough Reach, and we held them off valiantly, but eventually they made contact.

We didn't have the best of starts today, and we'll be looking for revenge tomorrow!

Tom Heycock, Men's Captain


W1: :-( Bumped by Murray-Edwards W1

Today, we found ourselves in the unfortunate position of being Sandwich Boat. However, the whole crew had exactly the right mind set as we prepared ourselves for the row over we were aiming for. Everything was in place – we had another good warm up, the bank party had turned up in force (perhaps in a little too much force, but the Marshals didn’t seem to notice!), and hopes were high as we were bushed out for the final time.

It was a different kind of race, as we were “head of the division” (albeit the 2nd division) and although the water was clean, we didn’t have anyone to chase. Our final start of the competition was probably one of our best, and we held station with Murray Edwards. They put in a big push just before Grassy corner and started to get whistles on us. We really put down the pressure, and made a lift around the corner. Some great steering from our cox meant that they didn’t catch us until we were just clear of the bend.

So that was bumps for Churchill W1. We have ended on -2 but I can confidently say that we have grown as crew throughout the week. The past 3 days have seen us chased by strong crews, and day on day we have put in a better performance and held them off for longer each time. I’m really proud of the girls for never giving in and can’t wait to go forward with them to May term where we can show everyone what we’re really made of.

Kat Wood, Women's Captain

M2: :-( Bumped by Clare M2

The row up today saw some very promising practice starts. The crew were completely focused and we were all hungry to chase back after Tit Hall II. We knew we had a strong crew chasing us though and it was gonna be tough. But as ever we were prepared to give it our all.

True to the practices, we had a really solid start - probably the best of the competition so far - and strode out to a nice race pace with the boat fairly well sat. We rapidly managed to gain 1/4 of a boat length on Tit Hall II which is a true testament to our ability. Unfortunately, in the meantime Clare II were pounding down on us just too quickly. They had at us canvas just before first post corner and a final push from us haltered their approach, but wasn't quite enough. They got the bump, true to form this week, at first post corner.

Another frustrating result, but probably the best performance (amongst some good ones) we've put in this Bumps. We rowed further being chased by the strongest crew we've faced and managed to gain on the crew that bumped us through some bad luck.

With Hughes Hall chasing us tomorrow we know it's going to be another tough one. But everyone's incredibly determined and we will lay out absolutely everything we have to offer.

Josh Hodgson, Men's Vice Captain

M1: :-( Bumped by Selwyn M1

W1:  :-( Bumped by Peterhouse W1

M2:  Rest day.

M1: :-( Bumped by Selwyn M1

Another fantastic start today saw us gain on Catz, and by First Post Corner we had a whistle. Halfway down The Gut that became 2 whistles. Coming into Grassy we practically had canvas, and hopes were building for the bump-back.

Unfortunately, Grassy corner is always an issue for us. A wide line meant we lost Catz, and the rest of the race became about holding off Selwyn. We almost made our escape when, in echoes of yesterday, the crew chasing us steered for the bump, and missed. They very nearly crashed into the outside of Ditton Corner, and we took the rating up to get away. But they managed to bring it back around, and were quicker over the distance. They made the bump halfway down The Reach.

Despite the bad outcome, this was another great row from a very inexperienced crew. We'll be looking to row over in front of Downing M2 tomorrow, and have a stab at Fitz on Saturday!

Tom Heycock, Men's Captain

W1: :-( Bumped by Peterhouse W1

Things were feeling positive today on the row down – the sun was out, we had fire in our bellies to get Kings back, and our warm up was going well. We had another good start today, holding station with Peterhouse behind and beginning to gain on Kings ahead. Unfortunately, we just weren’t gaining on Kings fast enough, and Peterhouse put in some impressive pushes. The pressure was really on as we passed under the motorway bridge and our final sit up and push off the bridge didn’t quite drive us away before they closed the bump.

A disappointing result again, but we certainly coped better than yesterday under pressure. We stayed together, and we remained focused. This term has been a steep learning curve for the whole crew, and we are still learning and progressing with every day of the competition. We need to prepare ourselves for rowing as sandwich boat tomorrow – a row over is not usually a pleasant thing, but we have to do it if we want the chance to get Peterhouse back later in the afternoon. The final day of Bumps is upon us, and we intend to go out in style...!

Kat Wood, Women’s Captain

M1:   REST DAY

W1:  :-( Bumped by King’s W1

M2:  :-( Bumped by Trinity Hall M2

W1: :-( Bumped by King’s W1

We knew Kings would be out for blood today, so there was an air of apprehension as we rowed down to the start. Unfortunately, tensions were running even higher when we realised that a dodgy connection in the boat’s wiring meant that bow IV could not hear Mark. We got back in on the 4 minute cannon, trying to stay calm and focused.

Then, during the start, the cox box failed completely. A wave of panic swept through the boat, but we tried to hold it together. Kings had a really great start, and were really putting the pressure on as we raced under the motorway bridge. It was a shame, but without direction from our cox we were unable to put a push in together to drive them away and so we got bumped.

So the boat is back on trestles, and will have its speakers fixed by tomorrow. We are hungry to get Kings back and prove that our bump on the first day was deserved. Forward!

Kat Wood, Women's Captain

M2: :-( Bumped by Trinity Hall M2

Near-silence in the May room before pushing off showed just how focused and determined the crew were to prove ourselves today. A reasonable row down with a couple of powerful starts saw us warm up and settle into a nice groove.

Unfortunately we were stuck with the dreaded 6 spot at the outflow. With rain overnight the outflow was quite strong and unfortunately led to us not being pushed out fully. As a result bow-side's blades grazed the bank during the wind. Just one of those things which is frustrating for us today, but we appreciate that it can happen to anybody and it is precisely things like this that make Bumps so exciting.

As we steered away from the bank we quickly recovered composure and that was really great to see. At this stage Tit Hall II already had canvas, but we managed to hold them there until first post corner where they closed the bump.

Despite the mishap, we recovered rapidly and held it together – just unfortunate that it was already too late. We saw today that we are of a standard that is a real threat to Tit Hall and will be chasing them like our lives depend on it come Friday.

Josh Hodgson, Men's Vice Captain