News

Hertford has been strongly represented in the university squads this year, with Jonathan Beckett coxing for OUBC, then moving to OUWBC in October to join Natalie McDaid and myself, and Emma Sykes rowing for OUWLRC. With two and half weeks to go before the Boat Race, Natalie McDaid and myself still remain in the squads. Natalie is rowing in Osiris, and myself in the two seat of the Blue Boat. Judging from results throughout the year, and various match racing that we have done, it looks like the races on March 25th are going to be very close indeed. Natalie, Emma and Jon all learnt to cox and row at Hertford, and although I had rowed before I came here, representing Hertford as President of OUWBC has been a huge honour.

Trialling is a hugely enjoyable but also tough experience, with highs such as training camps to Temple-sur-Lot in France for OUWBC, and to Coimbra, Portugal for OUWLRC over the Christmas break. Now that we can count the days until the race, we move to Henley to train there, where we see Cambridge training for the first time. It will be an exciting yet nerve-wracking few weeks, and hopefully our hard work will pay off in the final race. We would hugely appreciate any Hertford support in Henley on Sunday March 25th and would like to thank all the support that we have had from the Boat Club to get us into the position that we are now in.

Alexandra Dix

HCBCS will have an informal gathering at The Henley Boat Races this year, and hope that you will be able to join us.

Ben Snodin of Hertford has also been trialling again this year after representing Oxford in the Isis boat last year. Despite just missing out on the Blue boat we are eagerly awaiting to hear if he will be rowing in the Isis boat again, racing on the tideway just before the Boat race, so keep an eye out for him!

W1

With poor weather conditions and very busy 7th week schedules, despite our best efforts, the crew were unable to get any decent long-distance training in before the race on Saturday. However, this did not dampen our enthusiasm and everyone was excited to be travelling to London to race in this prestigious regatta. With a strong start, the crew was able to settle into a good rhythm coming under barnes bridge. We kept our composure as a very strong Durham crew pushed onto us, and managed to hold them off doing a bit of side-by-side rowing for much of the stretch through chiswick. The rough water did not do much to set the balance in the boat, and with a strong headwind pulling under Hammersmith bridge the pressure seemed to lapse; the lack of fully functional speakers in the boat did not do much to reset the crew and this lull will have cost us some time. Once we knew were well over half way, pulling past barn elms and fulham football club, the boat began to sit up again, and we were able to push through the finish in powerful style. The crew were happy with their performance: finishing 176th, but it is unfortunate that we were not able to get the adequate training in before the race which would have allowed us to perform to our full potential. 

After the race, and intensive showering (we all ended up rather wet and muddy!), W1 and W2 went to dinner in Chiswick, kindly sponsered by Terry. It was a really good chance to celebrate the successes of the term, get to know each other better, and get planning for summer VIIIs, so a big thank you to Terry from both crews for a highly enjoyable evening. 

W2

Determined to make the most of racing on the Thames, W2 completed the race in a good time climbing the racing order by two positions to be placed 268th overall – a victory to have finished ahead of both Keble and Teddy Hall W1 crews!  Thanks to Matt for stepping in to cox at last minute, the crew were able to enjoy the experience under great instruction, while, during the line-up, surrounding crews had to abandon ship and stand in the Thames to avoid getting stuck on the bank. The race began smoothly with good speed and technique enabling the girls to push on at the crew in front – almost resulting in their first overtake. Things then took an interesting twist… one minute into the race the cox-box stopped working and the crew relied on Matt’s strained shouts and exaggerated movements to guide them down the Thames. Nevertheless the race went well and cheers from the W1 crew and supporters on the bridge encouraged W2 to the finish line, ending with cheers of joy and smiles all around. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the experience of rowing in the Wehorr and are looking forward to the prospect of being able to do it again next year.

M1

The last day of racing was arguably the most exiting of the week for M1. We started with blade-hunters St Anne's behind us and Oriel in front. We had a decent start, managing to get to within a length off Oriel around Donny Bridge. At the same time we pushed comfortably away from St Anne's. Coming into the gut we kept closing on Oriel, getting to almost a quarter of a length outside Longbridges. Unlike Thursday we kept up the fight and stayed within half to quarter of a length off Oriel going down Green Banks and past Boathouse Island. Unfortunately we didn't have the extra concerted power to close the gap and get our bump. At the finish line there was more than three lengths between us and St Anne's.

Thanks a lot to all the cheering spectators who made it down yesterday and congratulations to W1 for their awesome accomplishment!

Overall result: Down 1

W1

The plan for saturday's race was much the same as that of the previous three days: bump, and do it quickly! With the Oriel crew ahead looking to avoid spoons, we knew that we would have a fight on our hands; we rowed our longest race yet, actually pulling under donny bridge at race pace! The bump eventually came at the start of the gut, with a timely concession from the oriel crew. After pulling back into the raft, and numerous appeals later, it became clear that St. Catz had crashed out ahead - meaning that Oriel had bumped them by default. Up two for the day and the proud owners of seven bump blades, Lizzy (cox) was definitely going for a swim (as were the entire crew and coach!)

Overall result: Up 7

M2

M2 (with the addition of sub Sarah Kelly) rowed well again today, although that might not translate exactly on to paper. Despite the setbacks of the previous days the crew kept composed to deliver a good race start, transitioning into the stride (having only learned this two days prior) smoothly. Alas, the Univ team had an even stronger start and caught us up near Donny Bridge, the boat conceding to avoid another unwanted collision with the bank. The M2 crew exhibited some great team cohesion in pulling away from the approaching Wolfson boat, but after a particularly aggressive push from the pursuing crew, we again were forced to concede. We then worked hard throughout the rest of the race to maintain the gap between us and the L.M.H boat, drawing away from them significantly over the course and delivering some coordinated power pushes. Overall, although the Torpids week might not look great on the Bumps chart for Hertford M2, the crew has all had a great time racing, improved greatly from day to day thanks to challenging and indefatigably positive coaching from Tom and Graham, and earned some pretty snazzy spoons.

Overall result: Down 8

W2

Although the crew was set on a good last day of Torpids, sadly wishes didn't materialise with Green Templeton chasing them for blades and Wolfson seeking revenge for our strong race yesterday. However, this gives the girls even more determination for some good training in the week leading up to WEHoRR and over next term. I am very proud of the fact that they never gave up, put up a strong fight and came off the water with smiles and cheerfulness. Well done W2!

Overall result: Down 7

M1

Today was very much a race of three thirds for M1. We had the best start of the term, comfortably hitting rate 46 with great connection and composure, this was followed by a solid stride down to race pace and some very nice initial racing. Somehow under Donny Bridge we seemed to loose connection slightly, and Wadham jumped on us very quickly. They closed the gap to a quarter of a length through the gut and went hard for the bump. With a big response to Jon's call for a high ten, we were able to increase the distance to Wadham. Not allowing ourselves to be flustered by the chasing crew, we found a very strong rhythm for the final third, with arguably our best race pace rowing of the term. We gradually increased the gap to Wadham, who were gobbled up by St Anne's just before the finish.

Tomorrow will be another exiting race where we will be chasing Oriel, who were bumped by LMH today, with blade-chasers St Anne's behind us. We hope to have a big crow egging us on for the bump outside Longbridges!

FTD!

Overall result:Down 1

W1

Today, W1 set off not entirely sure what to expect from the Worcester crew ahead. We planned to go off hard on the start, pull away from the pursuing Univ crew and aimed to catch Worcester at some point down the course. After a long wait on the bung-line (due to the arrest of a rowdy tramp, trying to assault people on the tow-path!) we were relieved to hear the one minute gun go off. Three powerful draw strokes and a rapid wind brought us up to rate 43 - our best start yet. A powerful 10 strokes after the call for backs in pulled us onto the worcester crew, and it wasn't long before we bumped (before the bridge again!). Having cleared the racing line, we then proceeded to sing happy birthday to Gen (our 5 girl) - what better present could there be...

Overall result: Up 5

M2

The revamped M2 crew (feautring three awesome substitutes for members who, alas, could not make it to the event) got off to a good start, but were unfortunately bumped by Oriel just after Donnington Bridge. Following some mayhem involving a bank and a couple more bumps, the crew kept their composure to row a steady course for the rest of the race. Looking forward to rowing over tomorrow!

Overall result: Down 6

W2

The odds were against Hertford W2 crew today, with a strong Wolfson II crew behind us, and an even stronger Green Templeton behind them. However, the girls were ready, more than ever, to give a good fight and really show what they are capable of. Starting strong, they were able to come within a length of Univ II. Although bumped in the gut, Wolfson II were looking fierce and coming up strong along Greenbanks. The race was super-exciting, as Hertford pushed away from an overlapping Wolfson crew in front of the boathouse, finishing quarter of a length ahead of them. This gives the girls the confidence of taking revenge on St. Antony's II tomorrow, opening the possibility of moving back up into Division III. What a fight!

Overall result: Down 3