MCBC have had a promising start to this academic year, which began with a great turn out at the freshers’ fair, where the club had over 70 sign-ups for taster sessions. This success continued into term, with the club getting in some regular novice training for the first time in around two years due to Covid and weather disruption.
On the Women’s side, we have three new novice coxes with us and around 30 keen rowers from all three undergraduate years, master’s programmes, and visiting students. They competed in both Isis winter league races, getting used to the length and strength needed to complete the course. Some of our returners also competed in the New Indoor Regatta where our 4-woman team made it to the final. Two boats were entered into Christ Church Regatta – a Women’s A and B. Our Women’s B beat St Anthony’s by a length on their first day, with a friendly loss to Lincoln’s A the next day, but an amazing effort from our novices. Our Women’s A also put in an amazing performance on the river. Despite a loss on Wednesday to Oriel A they came back strong on Thursday, beating Christ Church B in the repechage. While they lost to New College B on the Friday, everyone left in high spirits and looking forward to the next term of rowing
On the men’s side, we have gained a new cox and around 20 new novices. They also competed in the Isis Inter League races, and our novice four made it to the final in New Indoor regatta. We entered one men’s boat into Christ Church Regatta, and they put in a stunning performance across all three days. They beat St Hugh’s A by quite some length on the first day. However due to attempting to bumps race a term early, we didn’t compete on the final Friday of racing. Everyone on the men’s side is excited for what is to come and are in great shape for a very strong M1 for Torpids in their shiny new boat!
Socially, MCBC has again been able to host its welcome drinks for the incoming novices from last year who missed out due to Covid. We have been on many infamous ‘Crew Dates’ and hosted a wonderful Oxmas drinks for the whole college in the JCR. We’re very much looking forward to the year ahead and are working towards for a strong performance in Torpids 2022.
Emily Thornton
MCBC Alumni Officer
