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Wed 28th February

Women's 2nd (by Tom Farley)

After being bumped by a technically superior Catz II yesterday, Ladies' 2nd Boat were looking to row over today, and then take out any debris left by Catz on Friday and Saturday. Fully prepared and psyched up, they got off to a storming start, taking 1/3 of a length off Catz within 20 strokes. However, Catz soon moved away, bumping Queens' around 1st Post corner and sending them up the bank. By this time all visible boats behind had bumped out, and our crew settled down for a comfortable row over.

However, coming into Grassy, 5 caught a crab and we drifted out towards the far bank - forcing an Easy and some rapid strokes from Bow and 3 to avoid the bank. Our girls were lucky that noone was close enough to pounce on their bad fortune - but that didn't stop Downing II tearing around Grassy after them looking for the double overbump. We were having none of that, winding up again and settling into a good rhythmn - Downing had closed to 3 lengths by halfway down Plough Reach but got no further. Cold, wet, miserable and having had to stop, our girls could have easily fallen - but they showed a lot of guts and determination putting everything they had into it, and finished 3-4 lengths clear of Downing.

It was a good race to watch, and friday's may be even better. Our girls are chasing Queens' II who have gone down 2, but are being chased by Pembroke II who have gone up 2 - what happens next will surely be interesting...

Also Women's 2nd (by Jeni Harper)

After a depressing start on Tue being bumped by St Caths (who are remarkably improved compared with last year) ladies 2nd were out to hold their position on Wed. With Clare II chasing them it was expected to be a close thing with a fight to the wire. But Bumps is never predictable and the cannon's boom heralded the start of an exciting race! In less than 3 strokes Clare II were doomed to be bumped by Pembroke as their bow person caught an irretrievable crab leaving only 7 rowing and the boat in disarray. Within 6 boat lengths of the start Clare II were out of it and the threat of Churchill being bumped was diminishing. However with the small worry of crews attempting over bumps, Churchill did not relax and rowed with full commitment urging the finish line to come soon!

But on rounding grassy corner near disaster struck with 5 catching a crab that she and 4 couldn't get back. The crew had to hold it up and in the confusion nearly came to grief - only narrowly missing the bank with some frantic paddling from bow and three. Once back in the middle of the river the crew set off again with Downing II steaming round the corner towards them, going for the DOUBLE OVER BUMP!!! With some great coxing and crew determination Churchill didn't let Downing close the gap and holding them at about 3 boat lengths completed an exciting and eventful row over!

Now the crew enjoys a day off to recover from the dramas and looks forward to more fun on Fri with the possibility of bumping Queens 2 who are on an unfortunate trip down the division.

Tue 27th February

Men's 2nd (by Tom Farley)

Men's 2nd Boat didn't do too well on the first day, getting bumped in 1st Post reach. However, in true Churchill style we made sure we didn't go down alone and inadvertently caused a 4 boat pile up with us at the front. We were hit by Tit Hall II, as they were about to be bumped by LMBC III, just before they got hit by Emma II. Tit Hall were late to easy and our Stroke's blade got stuck underneath their bows - which impeded our efforts to clear the river. Whilst we glided over to the far bank, they made an emergency dive to the near bank and rammed it full on. Last thing I saw was LMBC smacking into Tit Hall's stern and stopping dead - lovely. Tit Hall were fined for failing to clear the river and we got off free. It would have been really funny if we weren't so annoyed at getting Bumped...