Catz M1 and Christs W1 won their divisions on the Cam this weekend as Newnham hosted their annual Short Course race. In the womens side of the 1.6km head race, Christs W1 (7:22.34) managed a 5 second victory over bumps rivals Pembroke W1, with Magdalene W1 a further 3 seconds back in third. Catz M1 (6:08.59) beat Division 2 rivals Robinson M1 by just 1.2 seconds in a tight finish in the men’s first division, with Sidney M1 in third, and Caius M1, strongest on the bumps charts, a surprising 4th.

Results were as to be expected for the Women in the top divisions, though Caius W1 (4th, 7:39.28) may be concerned about their bumps position if this race is anything to go by, with Christs only two places behind. With FaT, Queens, Downing and LMBC staying away from the men’s division, the opportunity was there for Caius M1 to prove their racing credentials, yet they lost to three second division boats in a baffling fall from last week’s 5th in City Head to Head.

Looking lower down the divisions, Emmanuel W2 impressively swept to victory in the second division, posting 7:48.8, over 20 seconds ahead of their nearest challengers, Christs W2. Newnham W3 also posted a very impressive time that bodes well for the getting on race for bumps. Worringly, St Edmunds W1 were slower than Newnham W3, which could promise yet another year of spoons come bumps. Magdalene M2 (6:31.52) won the men’s second division in another tight finish over Pembroke M2 (6:33.00), which bodes well for their bumps campaign, with blades a great possibility as they look to move up the men’s 3rd division.

However, with many of the best crews staying away from this race in the Women’s and Men’s categories, much of the intrigue was taken out of the event. Jesus W1 have still not been racing on the Cam this term so their challenge to a faltering Emmanuel and a strong FaT has yet to be seen in the race for the Women’s headship. FaT M1 and Downing M1 still have yet to prove their strength against each other, though the upcoming Robinson Head and Head of the Nene this weekend may prove the first chance to see the two lock horns.