May Bumps Day 4 – W3

The tension was high as the sun rose on the final day of bumps, as we found ourselves chasing our boathousemates – Peterhouse W2. The row-up was strong and resolute, fuelled by our epic chase and bump of Queens’ W3 the day before. Nerves were high; though soothed during marshalling by attempts to finish off all the Haribo we had accumulated over the week, they were refounded as we pulled in at our starting station.
In due course though, the cannon had sounded and we were racing off the start with grim determination. This transferred into a powerful start, and we quickly gained a whistle on Peterhouse. We continued to gain on them, and a good line by our cox Christina around First Post Corner led to a second whistle as we entered the gut – we were half a boat length away and still gaining!
Alas, it was not to be. We continued to gain as we raced up to Grassy Corner, but as we came round I saw the panicked look on Christina’s face – Peterhouse were significantly gaining on St Ed’s W1. A burst of energy pushed us on as we came onto Plough Reach, triggered by our coaches’ screams of “Now or never, girls!” but it was not enough, and Peterhouse bumped St Ed’s just after the Plough.
Despite the disappointment, we held our heads high and rowed the rest of the course with similar drive. The row home was similarly determined though slightly more relaxed as we fulfilled our namesake of the banterous boat with a cheerful rendition of the Lion King soundtrack. Congrats to Peterhouse, and perhaps we will find ourselves with a rematch next Mays!
Katie, Stroke, W3