Somerville’s Triple Blades at Summer Eights

Day 1: Wednesday 28th May

Racing in the first division of the day, W3 started strong. SCBC alumna, Lauren Keane, a former lightweight blue, had returned to W3’s seven seat to assist on the blades campaign so it was no surprise that they bumped Reuben W2 as they exited the gut. Next to race was W2, with SCBC’s very own Zoe Howell in stroke seat, coming all the way back from France to lead us to victory. W2 had a brief race, bumping Balliol W2 outside Falcon boat house. M1 began the day as the “sandwich boat” meaning they row twice, both at the top of division four and the bottom of division three. Unfortunately, they did not finish the day in that position. St. Anne’s was hot on their tail and eventually they were bumped at the head of the gut. Having been bumped from their position at the top of division four, M1 did not race again but could save their legs to claw back some ground on Thursday.

Next up was the hotly anticipated W1. Like the men, W1 were the “sandwich boat” between divisions two and three. The success of Torpids meant many eyes were on this crew and they were feeling the pressure. Captain Rozzie Weir and President Catherine Stephenson have both been training with the Blues rowing squad so brought some major wattage to the boat. Former lightweight blue, Rosie Thoroughgood, returned from her current college of residence, Christ Church, to SCBC’s W1 for her fifth attempt at winning blades. The aim of the day was to hold off St. Peter’s and secure their place in division two, escaping the dreaded “sandwich” position. The first race was tougher than expected; there were a couple of moments where it looked like Peter’s, with four blues in the boat, might get the bump. Each time Somerville held them off until they crossed the line. W1 were safe. But the day was not over yet; after a quick rest and a couple of sweets, W1 were making their way down to the bunglines again in the hope of dropping Peter’s once and for all. This time they were chasing Trinity W1, a crew rumoured to be full of novices, and an early bump was anticipated. Sure enough, Trinity conceded outside Falcon boat house.

This was a promising start for Somerville. There was still time for the men to make their way back up into division three and, having all achieved such early bumps, the women’s crews were looking like the ones to beat.

Day 2: Thursday 29th May

W3 started with an even speedier bump today, taking Keble W3 before Donnington Bridge. W2 were chasing Jesus W2 and got them so quickly that they bumped before the bunglines. Next up was a pretty remarkable race from M1. Having just finished her finals, SCBC’s Captain of Coxes, Allie Holtom returned to save M1 from the worst fate of all: spoons. There could not have been a better day to have SCBC’s most experienced cox in the boat. Balliol began closing in on M1 in the gut. Luckily for us, Balliol were simultaneously being caught by St. Hilda’s. Balliol, now stuck in a sandwich between Somerville and St. Hilda’s, were trying to bump Somerville before they were bumped themselves. In a feat of stunning fortitude and coxing skill, Allie refused to concede long enough for Balliol to be bumped by St. Hilda’s. With Balliol and St. Hilda’s now out of the race, Somerville were free to row over at a leisurely pace, saving their legs for Friday. W1 were chasing St Catherine’s today, who only conceded when their stroke’s blade was stuck under the bow of our boat.

All in all, Thursday was our best day yet: M1 were not going to get spoons, and all three women’s crews continued their upwards trajectory.