St Catharine's College Boat Club

I think it would be fair to say that M2 have had a good term leading up to May Bumps - victories in our division in the Spring Head to Head, Head of the Cam and Nines Regatta have left us reasonably optimistic for a good week. Certainly a good first day anyway, given that we were chasing Emma II, who we beat at Nines Regatta. Having said that, Emma have been out on the river a lot since then, and it was very windy, so we knew it wouldn't be easy. Besides, you should never write off a University Challenge champion in the 6 seat.

The combination of the wind and the sewage outlet made the start tricky, but Alistair handled it well and we went off strongly. The stride didn't really occur, but remarkably it all seemed quite neat, if not very sustainable, at rate 38. As we began to relax though the rate came down and we held a solid 34 for most of the rest of the race.

We got our whistle for one length on Emma at about the same time as Peterhouse got theirs for us. Either Peterhouse's boat lengths are based on ocean liners, or their bank party was just a bit optimistic, but they never really threatened. Emma held us at a length for a good while, with both crews battling against the headwind. Nonetheless By Ditton we had started to close the gap. The two whistles for half a length really spurred us on and from there it was only a matter of time. Once on the reach there was the usual courting as Emma tried to duck and weave, but a solid push closed the final inches and we got the bump about halfway up the reach.

All in all not our best, but still a solid row, and certainly good building point for the week. Tomorrow sees us chasing another previously vanquished foe from Nines Regatta in the form of First and Third III.

A photo of us (sporting our dashing new zephyrs) is attached.