{italic}Bumped by Clare III{enditalic}
Losing Rachel to W2 meant Sophie B and Dan were the only members of the crew with bumps experience, so the girls were understandably nervous. Jesus IV and Clare III behind had both come through the Getting on Race, so we knew things would be pretty tight.
A good start kept the girls on station with both crews, and a Clare III crab just before the motorway bridge opened up an extra length behind us. Spurred on by the shouts from W2 (who for once had had to row past the motorway bridge for their bump!), the girls pushed on into the corners. Clare III were inching closer, and coming into Grassy there was only about half a length between the boats.
For a moment it looked as though we might claim a bump on Jesus, who took such a wide line into Grassy they were lucky not to hit the outside bank, but coming into Plough Reach Clare III found the overlap and Dan was soon forced to concede the bump.
A disappointing end to a first bumps race for most of the crew, but it was a gutsy performance and the girls held Clare well for quite a long time. Hopefully we can look forward to success later in the week.
