Knowing that they had a fast Merton crew starting behind them, the 1st VIII went out to row a defensive piece, with a steely determination to row over, realising that Univ were likely to hit the plummeting Trinity crew ahead of them. Despite a good start, Merton had (as foreseen) taken water off John's coming into the settle. In came the first wind, and the Merton crew fell back. This game of cat and mouse was played twice more, with John's equal to Merton's challenge each time. However, coming into the gut, as John's had stretched their lead to a good 3/4 length, Trinity, having been hit by Univ, crashed into the bank on the racing line and John's were forced to hold it up. The division was klaxonned, and John's rowed back in knowing that they had stuck to the race plan, performed it to perfection, and could do so again. Unfortunately, a rather unpleasant incident marred the post-race analysis, as John's were called to the race desk, where the Merton coach had registered a complaint, along with members of his crew. After an hour of wrangling, with Merton clutching at straws (such as claiming that John's had conceded when all else had appeared not to work), the rowover was awarded.

At last the weeks of preparation had come to an end, and the Women's 2nd and 3rd VIIIs were set to attempt to qualify for Eights. The 2nd VIII set off first, at 2.30, and despite being forced to row with the Croker smoothie blades (which they had never used before) owing to their usual sticks being en route to Coate Water, they rowed over in the 3rd fastest time in 3:04. A fairly good row, but with the odd spell where the power declined slightly. So there is room for improvement, especially once the crew rows with blades they are used to. Thus all signs point to a successful crew for Eights. Starting 10th in Women's Division V, they chase Queen's II (16s slower in Rowing On).
Sadly the Women's 3rd VIII failed to row on, posting a time of 3:49 and missing out by 23s. Despite a hard term's training, they were hampered by a lack of experience and water time. Full results can be found here, and the final start order for Wednesday's racing here.

In the first race of the season for the 1st VIII, the stress of racing told on the crew, who, although capable of producing some very good pieces in training, fell apart a little under the pressure of another boat alongside. Losing to a highly-polished Radley school crew in S4, and to Pembroke in S3, the crew came away empty-handed, without the satisfaction of a first victory under their belts. Despite an improvement between the two races, they were unable to peform to their potential. Back on the Oratory reach the following day, things were back to normal, and some fast pieces ensued. With another week's training, the crew goes eagerly to Coate Water on the 18th with something to prove. More information can be found on the Bedford website.