The men’s fixture of the day saw the Light Blues from Cambridge University Boat Club take on the Dutch development crew. With the full Championship Course being split into two pieces for the day, the air was filled with apprehension and excitement as both crews approached the start.
First Piece
As the first piece got underway the crews remained level up to the minute mark, at which point Cambridge started to creep ahead. However, tapping into their slight advantage rowing on the Middlesex station, the Dutch were able to move back on Cambridge as they came past Craven Cottage. It was there that the crews first clashed, with Cambridge managing to come out of the collision on top and gain a two seat advantage. The crews continued to be warned as they repeatedly came together, but it was the Dutch specifically being warned as the crews again clashed at around four minutes into the piece, leading to a crab in the Dutch boat. As Cambridge rowed clear, umpire Matthew Pinsent decided to halt the piece to allow for a restart. Given a chance to reset, both crews set off again from Harrods with Cambridge jumping out to a half length lead almost immediately. Coming under Hammersmith Bridge, Cambridge were ¾ of a length up, and continued to move clear. Ultimately, Cambridge won the piece by three lengths.
Second Piece
From the start of the second piece the Dutch made clear their thirst for revenge, jumping Cambridge off the start. However, with typical Rob Baker-esque stoicism, Cambridge stayed relaxed, finding their rhythm to inch back on the Dutch, whose lead was eroded to only a single seat as they raced past the Bandstand. As with the first piece, the crews began to move together as they approached Barnes Bridge, with both coxes warned as they clashed. Cambridge were able to ride out the clashes and secure the advantage, moving out to a ⅓ of a length lead. With the Dutch tiring, Cambridge were able to continue to move out to win the second piece by two and a half lengths.
Conclusions
This Cambridge crew look like the real deal, and if today is anything to go by certainly aren’t fazed by clashing, or being led out and having to break through their opposition. What is yet to be seen is how this year’s Dark Blue outfit will perform on the Championship Course.
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