Oxford Rowing Takes To Calmer Waters
Despite shortage of water time for most college boat clubs, Oxford rowing still managed to put out a sizeable fleet of college and University boats at Bedford Head of the River, a 2km processional race, on Sunday 10th February.
Merton women's 1st VIII took first place in the Senior 2 category, completing the course in a time of 6 minutes 50 seconds, making them the second fastest women's crew of the day. In the less experienced Senior 4 women's VIIIs category, Oxford college crews dominated, if not through their speed then at least by sheer numbers of participants. Queen's came 5th in the Senior 4 pennant, followed one second later by St Hilda's, with Wolfson in 9th place and Merton 'A' and 'B' 12th and 13th respectively.
Crews from Oxford were similarly
successful in the men's categories. Nephthys Boat Club (Oxford Lightweights) produced the two fastest times of the day, winning both Senior 1 and Senior 2 pennants and completing the course in 5 minutes 36 seconds, 8 seconds ahead of the winner of the Elite category. Tim Foster, presenting the prizes, wished them luck for their Boat Race on 24th March.
Queen's 1st VIII took the Senior 4 pennant in 6 minutes 4 seconds, this being the quickest of their three runs at the course. Both Pembroke's 1st and 2nd VIIIs also raced the course three times, thereby covering all categories except Elite, their 1st VIII's fastest time being an impressive 5 minutes 57seconds. Univ and LMH also produced good times within their pennants.
Congratulations also to the Sons of the Isis/Bedford composite crew, consisting of the boatmen Jim, Pete and Terry, who won the Veteran C Coxless Four event.
21st Feb 2002