Lent Bumps: Day 2 Round Up

Day 2 promised the first chance to see the 1 show, with the top divisions in action for the first time. But, there was plenty of drama in every division.

In a day that warmed up slightly from the arctic-like conditions of yesterday, the rowing action still proved red-hot. See how it all unfolded HERE.

The Big Picture: Much of today was always going to be about Downing and FaT, and their race for the headship. Both of Downing womens’ boats bumped today, with the WI success more significant, taking them to the top. The men however enjoyed less success, FaT managing to hold off Downing in M1.

Aside from the top, the big headlines have to be Hughes Hall and Fitz. Hughes Hall now have an astonishing +7 score after bumping up yesterday in M4, today in M4 to become the sandwich boat in M3, then an incredible double over-bump on Fitz M2. Fitz meanwhile, had an awful time. Fitz M2 lie bottom of the M3 division, having lost six places. Their W2 lie stranded at the bottom of the bottom womens’ division, and W1 have work to do if they are to fulfil the pre-Bumps predictions after being bumped by Robinson yesterday.

————————————————————-

Division by division here’s our account of all the action today:

M1 Results

1 FaT
2 Downing
3 LMBC
4 Caius
5 Pembroke
6 Queens’
7 Jesus
8 Tit Hall
9 Clare
10 Emma
11 King’s
12 Peterhouse
13 Magdalene
14 Girton
15 Fitz
16 Robinson
17 Christ’s
18 Churchill

Analysis:

The most surprising result here was FaT retaining the headship. All credit must go to them, however, for defending a strong Downing charge that lasted the entire course. LMBC were slightly off the pace, and will have to up their game tomorrow if they want to remain in the top 3. Caius had Pembroke by The Plough, continuing their success this term with a well-earned bump. Elsewhere, Queens’ took no time at all showing Jesus up, while Clare will have to improve significantly to hold off Emma to avoid a repeat of last year’s spoons. At the bottom of the division, Christ’s cemented their place in the division by bumping Churchill.

Predictions:

Another race to the wire tomorrow for Downing and FaT. Whether FaT can hold off Downing for the rest of the week will be a race worth watching. LMBC will have to pull out their A game if they are to avoid being bumped by the Caius machine. Tit Hall will be set on taking down what looks to be a weak Jesus crew.

————————————————————-

M3 Results:

1 St Ed’s
2 ARU
3 Magdalene II
4 Peterhouse II
5 Selwyn II
6 FaT III
7 Churchill II
8 Clare II
9 Robinson II
10 King’s II
11 Jesus III
12 Tit Hall II
13 Hughes Hall (up from 18th)
14 St Catz II
15 LMBC III
16 Caius III
17 Girton II
18 Fitz II (down from 13th)

Analysis:

For Hughes Hall,their entry to division 3 has turned out to be a huge success. Bumping up from 18th to 13th today in a double over-bump, they have now gone up 7 over 2 days. It nearly didn’t happen though – LMBC were unfortunate not to get the bump on an extremely slow Fitz II, due to a coxing error that led to entanglement with the reeds, allowing Catz an easy bump. Caius have continued their charge up from division 4. Further up the division, Magdalene successfully over-bumped FaT, while Selwyn 2 lost out to a strong Peterhouse crew.

Predictions:

Hughes Hall look set to continue their domination of the lower divisions. Whether they can break into double figures for total bumps this week will have to be left up to the unpredictable bumps gods. Fitz II will do amazingly well to remain in division 3, being described by an onlooker as: “ridiculously slow”. Caius should bump LMBC too. Whether LMBC, and indeed Robinson, can avoid spoons this week will be a story worth watching. Magdalene look strong, and should be confident of bumping ARU.

————————————————————-

M4 Results:

1 Hughes Hall
2 Addenbrooke’s
3 Wolfson II
4 FaT IV
5 Queens’ III
6 Clare Hall
7 Sidney
8 Emma III
9 Christ’s
10 Pembroke III
11 Homerton II
12 Queens’ IV
13 Downing III
14 Tit Hall III
15 St Catz III
16 Jesus IV
17 Hughes Hall II
18 Magdalene III

Analysis:

Hughes Hall started their success story in this division, and have been quick to escape it, leaving FaT and Addies in their wake. An action packed division, the M4 lot are always guaranteed to throw up some entertaining viewing for the non-discerning boatie. Pembroke, Queens’ and Catz are leading the charge at the bottom of the division.

Predictions:

Predictions in this division are anyone’s guess. Wolfson, however, must be confident of bumping Addenbroke’s, who look set to continue their fall this week. Pembroke and Queens’ should be set to continue rising up the table, while Clare Hall will hope to bump Queens’ III before they snatch the slow moving FaT IV.

————————————————————-

1 Downing – New Head of the River

2 FaT
3 Emma
4 Christ’s
5 Pembroke
6 Jesus
7 Caius
8 Queens’
9 Clare
10 Tit Hall
11 Catz
12 LMBC
13 King’s
14 Newnham
15 Magdalene
16 Churchill
17 Selwyn
18 Peterhouse

Analysis:

As expected, Downing took the headship from FaT by storm, doing what their men failed to do. What was unexpected, however, was the ease with which they did so, bumping FaT by First Post corner. Tit Hall bumped Catz, while LMBC escaped a bump from Newnham after a rogue crab from the Newnham boat was converted into an adventure onto the bank in the gut. One LMBC W1 rower commented: “I guess it boils down to how many cans of paint buy you a proper rudder.” Referring to Newnham’s painting of the motorway bridge, suggestions that they were premature in their celebration of bumps success were evidently correct. Elsewhere, Emma took down Christ’s, Queens’ bumped Clare, and Selwyn and Magdalene both bumped up.

Predictions:

Downing must surely be set to stay head of the river, after getting there with such ease and dominating all races this term. Emma should bump the struggling FaT crew. Newnham will hope to bump King’s back before another disaster strikes them, and Tit Hall will have their eyes on Clare.

————————————————————-

W3 Results:

1 Addenbrooke’s
2 Christ’s II (up from 5th)
3 Newnham II
4 Darwin
5 Clare II (down from 2nd)
6 Wolfson
7 Downing II
8 Queens’ II
9 Selwyn II
10 Sidney II
11 Peterhouse II (up from 14th)
12 Tit Hall
13 Newnham III
14 Clare Hall (down from 11th)
15 Hughes Hall/Lucy Cav
16 Girton II
17 Murray Edwards
18 Fitz II

Analysis:

Like the M4 division, good over-bump action is always guaranteed here. We were not disappointed, with both Peterhouse and Christ’s taking the honours in advancing quickly up the table. Clare managed to crash into the bump from 2nd, leaving them to be an easy target as Christ’s gleefully rowed past them. Newnham II managed to at least bring some joy back to Newnham today, bumping Darwin. Peterhouse and Girton also managed to claw their way up the table.

Predictions:

Clare should make amends for their disaster today by bumping Darwin, while Christ’s II will be intent on bumping Addies and move up into the sandwich boat position, and so play with the W2 lot. Peterhouse II to continue their assent.

All in all, an exciting day, with over-bumps, double over-bumps, crashes and just plain old bumps galore. A memorable day for Downing W1 taking the women’s headship, but will their men repeat this feat in the men’s division tomorrow afternoon? The top half of the M1 division certainly looks to throw up some great racing. Check in on The Tab’s live updates for the latest from 2pm.

Check out the summary of Day 1 here.