Torpids Roundup 2022
After achieving an incredible 17 bumps in Summer Torpids 2021, SEHBC were ready to take on their first full year of bumps racing since 2019. After a strong Michaelmas term of training in both Oxford and Abingdon, and recruiting a large cohort of novices, SEHBC were in a fantastic position to take on Torpids in 2022. This year we entered 6 boats into Torpids, 2 women’s crews, 3 men’s crews, and an M4 mixed beer boat. The divisions were back to 13 boats from 10 in 2021, and men’s division I were back to being the last to race in the day.
Wednesday
M4 started at footship, but tragedy struck and a klaxon sounded before they could get their bump. M3 started out strong by closing in on Hugh’s M2, but were bumped by Linacre M2 before they could catch Hugh’s.
Next up were W2 in women’s division V, they came in fast on Magdalen W2, however a klaxon due to an ejector crab meant Magdalen were penalty bumped and our W2 bumped up! M2 started in men’s division IV, and were bumped early on by GTC M1, they were closing the gap on Wadham M2 all the way down the course however, and will hopefully have another chance at them on Friday.
W1 raced in women’s division II and closed quickly on Catz, and when Catz bumped St Johns, W1 quickly followed suit and bumped just after Donnington Bridge. M1 finished the day in men’s division I and had very strong crews chasing them. They were bumped by Balliol and Wolfson, but closed the gap on Pembroke who were 3 crews ahead, and are hoping to get a bump later in the week…
Thursday
M4 were hungry for a bump after their early klaxon yesterday, and bumped within 20 strokes to get themselves out of the footship position.
M3 had a tough row with some very strong crews and were bumped 3 times, but are hoping to fend off Trinity M3 tomorrow. W2 were bumped quickly by Magdalen W2 and then bumped Pembroke W2 equally as quickly, and so stayed level. M2 were chased by quick crews and were bumped twice, but are hoping for a strong row over tomorrow!
W1 were chasing Catz again who quickly bumped Somerville in the gut, and W1 followed and bumped Somerville on Greenbanks. M1 had a strong row over today being chased by Keble, and put a lot of clear water between them. They’re hoping to come back and bump Pembroke tomorrow…
Friday
M4 started the day with a heroic row, but were sadly bumped by Wolfson M4 into the coveted footship position.
M3 also had a really strong row, but were unfortunately bumped into men’s division VI and will race an hour earlier tomorrow. W2 were on their way to bumping Lincoln W2, but sadly a crab meant that they were bumped twice. They’re hoping to catch Wolfson W3 tomorrow.
M2 rowed a great race but were not as quick as the crews behind them, so were bumped twice. W1 had a strong start and bumped Catz on Greenbanks, meaning that they are +3 and on for blades! M1 rowed strongly but were caught by the very fast Wadham M1. They’re hoping to hold off Keble again tomorrow.
Saturday
M4 came away victorious this week with footship! We couldn’t be happier for this crew full of Hall legends.
M3 had a good row, but were caught by some faster crews, meaning that they have won spoons this Torpids! W2 had a strong row, weren’t sure if they had overbumped Pembroke in the gut and so kept rowing and triple overbumped Mansfield on Greenbanks. It turns out they had bumped Pembroke and so went +1 and kept their position from Summer Torpids! M2 were caught by stronger crews and were bumped twice, meaning that they also win spoons this Torpids.
W1 bumped Lincoln in the gut and Lincoln went on to bump Balliol, meaning that they go +2 on the last day, and overall +5 with blades! This is the 4th time our W1 has won blades in Torpids, and follows on from last year’s Summer Torpids blades. This means our W1 have climbed 11 places in 2 years, and are back to the position they achieved in 2018. M1 had a good row over, holding off a strong Keble M1 and finishing the week at 8th on the river!
Here is an overview of SEHBC’s movement this Torpids:
M1 -3
W1 +5, BLADES
M2 -7
W2 0
M3 -9
M4 0