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Easter term rowing with St Edmund’s College Boat Club M1 - more commonly known as the Beef Barge - was a joy. Our coach Angus departed for the final weeks of training to India, but we gratefully had a previous coach, George, step in. The M1 line up was largely the same as in Lent Bumps - Alannah (cox), Tom (stroke), Martin (7), Alex F (6), Alex M (5), Seppe (3), and Justin (2) all returned. We were also joined by Jack in the 4 seat who had previously been rowing for 99s, and Harry in bow who had returned from trialling with the CUBC Lightweights squad. Day One of May Bumps saw the Beef Barge being chased by Catz M2, fierce competition but we went in with a fighting attitude nonetheless. The crew took off after a speedy race start, but unfortunately was caught by Catz M2 on the reach, holding them off for around 1.7km.  Day Two saw Eddie’s M1 keen for a revenge bump after the previous day. The crew took off at great speed, motivated even further by hearing Angus’s whistles from the bank telling us that we were catching up to the crew in front and - perhaps - able to get the bump. Unfortunately a mishap in the boat meant that we lost Catz II and were caught by Sidney M2.  Day Three was a mission to catch Sidney M2, something that the Beef Barge has wanted since being bumped by them in Mays 2023. The attitude was a positive one on the bank, and the crew took off at great speed. Sadly for us, Sidney managed to catch Catz M2 who were in front of them. Fortunately, we were far speedier than Magdalene M2 and, without any fear of them catching us, the Beef Barge had an impressive row. Whilst disappointing to have not got a bump in, the attitude in the boat was altogether a happy one knowing that we were no longer set for spoons! Much cheering from the bank and crews that we rowed past meant that the row home was a joyous one.  The final day of Bumps brought much support from the bank which was absolutely brilliant to see - including our own bank party being double what is allowed. Armed with blue face paint done by the wonderful Liz, the Beef Barge rowed up to the starting line. We were once again chasing Catz M2 which felt like a full circle moment and we were hungry for the bump. Unfortunately, once again, the crew that we were chasing managed to bump the crew in front. This time, though, we fought to get the over-bump. This meant that it was a race all the way to the finish line. Although we didn’t manage to get it, we finished on one whistle - and insist that we would have caught them by top finish!  I’d like to extend a huge congratulations and well done to all of those who rowed in May Bumps, and especially to Eddie’s M1 who have had a wonderful year. Half of our May Bumps crew noviced in Michaelmas of this year, and to see how far they have come has been absolutely wonderful. The dedication and commitment has been really admirable, despite the horrible weather that we’ve faced for most of the year. We went from super-spoons last year to -2 this year, and whilst it’s not the result that we would have hoped for, things are going up for Eddie’s M1 - watch this space! A massive congratulations to the Women’s and AFAB crew who got blades this year, we absolutely loved rowing past you on the way to the starting line every day and being able to cheer your massive accomplishments. Yeah Eddie’s!
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Day 1 - The first day of Bumps saw the return of the Beef Barge, debuting as the sandwich boat between Divisions 2 and 3. Our first race was from Station 1 of Division 2, being chased by Queens’ M2. The boys put in a good fight against Queens’ who eventually got bumped by Magdalene M2 leaving us to settle into a rate 19 paddle to the finish, warranting some high praise from CamFM. Our second race was at the bottom of Division 2, chasing Clare M2. After an incredible start and huge determination from the boys, we caught Clare within 750m, Eddie’s Men’s first Lent term bump in recent memory! Day 2 - Rest day. Day 3 - After a day of rest, the Beef Barge returned ready to bump FaT M2, chased by sandwich boat Magdalene M2. With another excellent race start, we pulled away from Magdalene and closed on FaT by half a length before carnage ensued ahead. Alannah having to slam rudder, carnage also ensued inside the boat and eventually we were caught by Magdalene M2 and returned as the sandwich boat. Day 4 - M1 were back and determined for another rower and bump scenario. First race of the day and Eddie’s had an incredible row over. It looked like Clare M2 were going to return the favour and bump us, but determination from the boat meant that we prevailed and Clare M2 got bumped by Fitz M2. From then on, Queens’ M2 went for the over bump but the Beef Barge didn’t give up and raced it all the way to the finish - definitely one of the more exciting races we’ve done. Back to the bottom of Div 2 chasing Magdalene M2 for the next race. Unfortunately more carnage up ahead and we had to hold it up, resulting in both crews getting a technical row over and ruining our chances of playing the long game and bumping them on the reach. Day 5 - Last minute cox change due to me being struck by illness. The incredible Shannon took over at the P&E after bumping with W1. Again, we were going for a row over, knowing it would be a tough job against Fitz M2 who were going for blades. The boys put in a good fight but eventually got bumped - Fitz, you’re welcome for the blades.  Eddie’s M1 took to the Cam on Saturday morning for Newnham Head, battling hangovers, flu, and a dodgy shoulder. The crew took off at a scrappy rate 30 which was maintained throughout the race, and made a huge effort to keep the power on throughout and empty the tank at the end. We finished a respectable middle (ish) in our category, and celebrated at Eddie’s brunch after. A huge thank you to our 4 seat sub from LCCBC, Timo! Written by Alannah Atherton  Race report written by Alannah The final race of Michaelmas for the Eddie’s men and it was a great one. I put together an amazing scratch crew, which included the infamous 2 seat of the 22/23 season making his long awaited return to Eddie’s rowing. What we lacked in costume we made up for with rowing. Despite being a scratch crew, set was better than last year’s M1 and vibes were definitely high. When the race began, we flew off at a very respectable rate 28, slowed only by Alberto’s incessant crabbing which eventually sent us into a bush in front of a very entertained audience. Huge recovery from the boys and dynamic coxing from me, we got straight back on track even faster than we had before. Overall, we gained on the (very slow) crew in front, finishing only a few seconds after them, and left the peas behind us in the dust. Overall was a huge W for the boys, topping our category (sorry Lucy Cav) and celebrating at the pub after. Expect big things from Eddie’s men this year x Race report by Alannah Atherton The Eddie’s senior men have spent the term training with the lovely Hughes Hall rowers, creating a hybrid M1 lovingly deemed ‘HEddies’. Senior Fairbairns was the first race of term for the Eddie’s boys, coxed by me with my notoriously dodgy chat down the mic. The gents did their best row of the term over the 4.3km course, keeping clean catches and huuuuuge legs, with a of 17:11 placing them second last, beating out Sidney Sussex with a DNS. Possibly the most enjoyable part of the day was post-race marshaling, where Alex had a nice lie down and Tom and I engaged in riveting discussion and pineapple biscuit sharing with the Corpus crew we were parked on top of. Note for next year: bring post-race tinnies. After gaining vital race experience at Clare Novice Regatta, the novice men were keen to display their true rowing talents at The Fairbairn Cup. Sadly, race conditions meant their usual cox (and captain) Alannah was unable to cox them for the race. So, the week before I was given the task! I put on my coxing hat and adopted one of my favourite phrases “fake it, ‘till ya make it!!!”. After a couple of good sessions battling the traffic of the cam I was feeling confident going into the race. With my trusty race plan strapped to my legs and a sneaky plan to keep the boys calm, off we went! Aim for a long & strong rate 24 I said….and the perfect rate 26 off the start we got! Being far too preoccupied with getting the correct lines and giving encouraging calls at the right times I forgot to press start and had no idea how far the boys had gone. I gave them my best guess “pretty sure you’re halfway but haven’t actually got a clue”. Showing me some of their best rowing – beautifully in time and balanced I elected not to inform them that they were now rating at 30 and just left them to it! As we turned onto the reach the crew firmly “pushed that bridge away” and powered on to my unrelenting pressure calls until that beautiful horn to signal the end of the race. Coach Jan was seen shrieking in delight running alongside, bursting with pride at their excellent performance. When he asked me what rate they raced at, and I informed him it was r30, he asked me again - refusing to believe that it could be so high when it looked so controlled. As the results came in, the proof was right there – second in their division and the fastest college crew! Outstanding effort. Watch this space….we are well and truly on the BLADE HUNT! Watch out Cambridge! The novice men were in the first division of the day and after their first two competitors held a HUGE lead. Sadly they couldn't hold onto this lead all the way through but ended up coming a very respectable 5th in their division with an average split of 1:44.0. The novice women (aka eddies eaglets) soon followed racing in the second division. Their LBC's were all away at Ely so Alannah kindly looked after them for us. She clearly did a fantastic job motivating them because they put on an outstanding display to finish in joint third place and progress to the final! They completed the final with an average split only 1 second slower than their qualifying round and finished 11th overall - great effort!! Now we just need the weather to play ball so we can transfer all this ERG work into the water! W1: Rowover (+0) On day 4 Eddie’s W1 were chasing Newnham to reclaim their favourite station 7 under the motorway bridge. Chased for a third time but Catz II, Eddie’s Eagles left them in the dust but were unable to catch the formidable Newnham and rowed over for a third day. Ending up on -1 the women were happy with their performance and eager to reclaim station 7 next year. M1: Bumped (-1) Concluding their eventful bumps campaign, the M1 Spice Boys were chasing Sidney M1 and looked to get them back for their bump on Day 1. With a strong start, the Spice Boys reached within striking distance Sidney, only for the speedy Jesus M2 to catch them before they could secure the bump. Ending the campaign - 6, the Spice Boys will be starting next year eager to improve. Nonetheless, they did well, displaying incredible spirit and endurance in the face of unexpected challenges. We commend both crews for their dedication and hard work over the last few months and for demonstrating their commitment to the club and the college. We are confident that they will be back stronger next year W1: bumped by Newnham W3 (-1) On day 3 the W1 Eagles were in full spirits as the first bump of the campaign approached after 2 days of row overs. Sandwiched between a catch-able Emmanuelle III in front, and a speedy Newnham III behind, the race was going to be an exciting one. After a speedy race start the women quickly got a whistle (within one boat length of Emma), then 2 whistles (within half a boat length of Emma), all whilst keeping Newham a station (1.5 boat lengths) behind them. The Eagles kept this distance for around a kilometre. When they rounded onto the reach however the Newnham crew sped up, and after another 500 meters caught the exhausted Eddie’s crew. An impressive display of effort from the women, they are left vengeful, and ready to reclaim station 7 tomorrow. They will be chasing Newnham III and will be chased by St. Catharines II. M1: Over-bumped by Downing M2 Starting their row with high spirits, the M1 Spice Boys were looking forward to a good day of racing after having to contend with rigger difficulties in the last two days. Chasing Homerton M1, they exploded off their station with a blistering start that saw them avoid a bump by Sidney M1. Despite putting up a valiant row that saw them get close to Homerton, they were unable to keep the Downing M2 juggernaut at bay and conceded an over bump. Nonetheless, having displayed some of their best rowing this year, the Spice Boys will be looking to return the favour as they chase Sidney M1 on the last day. W1: row-over (+0) On the first day of bumps, the W1 Eagles flew down the full length of the bumps course hunting Hughes Hall W1. After gaining a little ground with a speedy race start, the Eagles maintained a station (1.5 boat lengths) for the majority of the bumps course. The Eagles were chased by St. Catharine’s W2, who flew at them off the start and then dropped several boat lengths by the end of the reach. All three crews ‘rowed over’, i.e didn’t bump or get bumped, and so the Eagles, perpetually station 7 (and next to the canon) will have a repeat of today’s race tomorrow, but with renewed confidence after significantly holding off Catz and keeping up with Hughes down the whole course. M1: Bumped (-1) Concluding an eventful first day of bumps, the M1 Spice Boys are one down after giving Sidney M1 a tough challenge. Facing a snapped Rigger right before the start of the race, the Spice Boys' hopes of racing were kept alive by the heroic actions of wonder bank party Robert, which saw him race to and from the boat house to perform an emergency re-rigging operation just as the 4-minute cannon went off. Rigger fitted and crisis averted, the Spice Boys kept Sidney M1 away for a significant while before conceding a bump to them. All things considered, the Spice Boys are raring to go and will be looking to return the favour to Sidney tomorrow. |
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