Double blades victory
9 March 2015
Hertford rowers make college history as both Men’s and Women’s 1st boats win Division 1 blades in Torpids 2015
by Holly Redford-Jones
Torpids is a series of bumps races much like Summer Eights, held on consecutive days throughout 7th week of Hilary, where crews deliberately try to ‘bump’ into the crew in front in order to climb places in their division. Following the disastrous cancellation of Torpids 2014 due to bad weather, Hertford returned in full force this year entering six crews to compete with the other Oxford colleges on the Isis.
Hertford mounted up a total of 20 bumps over the four days of racing and emerged with its two top crews back in the first division and newly crowned blades champions!
The Women’s 1st VIII bumped Queens, Lady Margret Hall, St. Catz, Worcester and New College to win blades.
The Men’s 1st VIII bumped Lincoln, St. Johns, St. Catz and Trinity College to win blades.
On Saturday afternoon, the final day of racing, the sun was shining and the river banks lined with a sea of maroon-clad Hertford supporters – even the Principal managed to come down and bask in the glory of Hertford’s success. Celebrations kicked off soon after the women’s crew bumped New College underneath Donnington Bridge to the amplified cheers of Hertfordians lining the bank. Less than half an hour later the men’s crew had gained their final bump off Trinity College earning the second set of Hertford blades.
Boat club President, Emily Wilkes, expressed her delight with the achievements of the boat club this term:
I am thrilled to have been a part of such an amazing term of rowing for Hertford, not only have a record number of students been involved but we have shown that Hertford really is capable of excellence while at the same time encouraging all to take part.
For Women’s Vice Captain, Rosie Worster, the high point of the week came on Thursday evening when Hertford W1 became the most valuable crew on Fantasy Bumps (similar to fantasy football). With Summer Eights less than three months away it looks like Hertford crews may well be hot property in the future too! Chris Hughes, Men’s Captain, echoed the sentiment explaining that training for Summer Eights would begin on Monday morning.
Many months of hard work and training have been given over by all involved to make Torpids 2015 the best yet, from undergraduates learning to row for the first time, visiting Students acclimatising to the crisp English mornings to final year D.Phil. students squeezing outings in between labs. It has been a true college effort and long may it continue!
The wining Crews were:
| Joe Hitchen (Cox) S. Emily Wilkes (President) 7. Helen Carswell 6. Laura Hawkins 5. Marie Becker 4. Holly Redford-Jones (Captain) 3. Rosie Worster (V. Captain) 2. Calla Glavin B. Annie Taylor Coach. Connie Spoor |
Harriet-Rose Noons (Cox) S. Callum Watling 7. Ben Snodin 6. Chris Nicholls 5. Steven Crabb 4. Chris Jones 3. Chris Hughes (Captain) 2. James Jordon (V. Captain) B. Eoi Marin Coach. Graham Topping/ Chris Dalley |
Special thanks go to Boat Club coaches Connie Spoor, Graham Topping, Chris Dalley, Stuart Walter and Tom Oades. in addition to the many Hertford alumni for their on going support of the boat club, without whom the achievements of our students would not have been possible.
See you all in summer!