1 Headship crew, 41 bumps, 6 sets of blades, 4 sets of tankards, 2 medals.

This year has been a successful one for Balliol College Boat Club. Michalemas started with an impressive intake of 52 novices, forming 3 men’s and 3 women’s crews. The weather appeared to be on our side for most of Michaelmas, allowing the novices to train properly in preparation for Christ Church regatta. This included entry into Nephthys head and regatta, where the Women’s novice A crew managed to race all the way into the semi finals and the Men’s B into the quarter finals. Unfortunately, at the last minute, the weather turned against us, and once again, Christ Church Regattawas cancelled. However, encouraged, the majority of novices returned in Hilary, for another chance to prove what they had trained for.

In the meanwhile, the seniors continued their training to maintain the hard work put in the previous years. The women decided to challenge themselves, entering two fours into the New College Indoor Regatta. The A team, went on to win by an impressive margin, with the B’s putting in a great effort. The strength of Balliol was supported by their skill when they won their division in Nephthys Regatta.

Hilary term saw the usual increase in erg based training, as river levels hit some impressive highs. However, this did not seem to affect the Boat Club, as come Torpids we went out in force. The first two days saw M1 bumping University and St John’s, and entering the first division for the first time in twenty yearsby bumping LMH. In the next two days, they climbed a further 4 places, to finish 8th in top division. M2 started strong, bumping Oriel II and Hertford II. Although Hertford II managed to bump back the following day, M2 went out on the last day to gain their revenge, and successfully sent Hertford back down. The women had a fantastic week, with all 3 crews winning blades. Both W2 and W3 went up a division. W3 bumped Brasenose II, Linacre II, Jesus II, Trinity II and Exeter II, to end 7th in 4th division, and W2 bumped Linacre II, St Anne’s II, Queens II, Wadham II and Pembroke II, to reside 12th in 3rd Division. W1 secured the hat-trick of women’s blades by bumping Wolfson, St Hugh’s, Exeter and Hertford and are now placed 2nd in the 2nd Division.

With good weather and a determination to keep up the good work, the crews hit the water hard in Trinity. For M1, the pressure was mounting, with the race for the Headship as competitive as ever this year.. The women were determined to keep their unbeaten record. In preparation for Eights week, M1, M2, W1 and W2 attended Bedford regatta. M1 won the Senior 3 division, and W1 won S4 for the second year in a row. With the tankards resting on our shelves, we entered Summer Eights with quiet confidence. A confidence well deserved.

W3 got drawn bottom of the 6th division, and with no where to go but up, they were determined to do so. The first two days saw them row over, that by the time the third day came, they took that step up and bumped Hertford V. W2 were the blade winning crew who bumped Osler-Green II, Queens II, New II and Keble II. They currently reside top of division V, with their sights set on entering the fixed divisions next year. W1 started the competition with a slight lack of luck, where they were offered a technical row over following carnage in the gut. However, the following three days allowed them to prove their skill. Bumping Hertford and Somerville, they entered the top half of the top division, and on the last day, they went out with Gordouli blades and bumped Pembroke.

The men’s divisions continued to provide suspense. Despite facing troubles with rudders, banks and klaxons, M3 managed to gain a bump on Somerville II. M2 started the week as sandwich boat, entering the 4th division in style with an over bump on Osler-Green. They went on to bump Hertford II and Worcester II, and are currently 8th in 4th division.

M1 took the week in style. Starting 3rd in top division, Headship was in their reach. And it only got closer. With quick bumps on Pembroke and Magdalen, M1 moved up to Head on Thursday evening. Friday saw them row over in their stride. However, Saturday held the best rowing seen all week. With Oriel on their tails, the race started. As they raced past Boathouse Island, they had the support of the entire crowd, who watched in suspense as they held of and succeeded in twice pushing away from the overlapping Oriel crew. Skillful coxing and powerful determination allowed M1 to become the first Balliol Headship crew in 52 years. This momentous occasion was celebrated by all present, including members of the glorious 50’s crews. It was a well earned and fitting culmination to a successful year for the boat club.