Girton had been caught by Magdalene on Wednesday and Wolfson would have caught them in the Gut yesterday had we not caught Wolfson on First Post, so we had every reason to be confident. However, 2 out of 2 and looking set for a bump on day 3 is when it starts to get rather serious. We were terrified of complacency but couldn't honestly expect a long battle today. The crew were unusually quiet, the b word (blades) had been banned and our voluntary drinking limit had become strict abstinance.

Problems with St John's Ambulance earlier in the day meant we marshalled in an odd place and for a very long time, which didn't help irrational superstitions about keeping everything the same. Although the crew would like to thank Fiona for overcoming her superstitions and changing her pants!!

Pressure and anxiety showed in the rowing. It wasn't our tidiest - I apologise for forgetting to join in with the second stroke. However, we were the more powerful crew on each stroke and the video shows we were taking many more of them.

The rudder was not yet on for First Post when the Girton cox's hand went up.

Chris cleared the racing water deftly by hiding us in the bushes on the far side of the river, giving us a chance to demonstrate how good at bumping we were getting; collecting our own foliage and forming a conveyor belt of branches down the boat.

C: C. Clark S: L. Tate 7: N. Dickson 6: A. Davies 5: J. Milne 4: F. Gillanders 3: G. Hu 2: A. Smitton B: S. Brooke

 After being bumped yesterday we knew that today should be a reasonably comfortable row over as there was nothing really of threat behind us.

However what was expected to be very simple turned out not to be so as 3 strokes into our start, the bow man Tom came off his seat and his seat fell off completely, knowing there was no possible way to stop he cried out to the crew to inform us of this situation but no one in the stern heard!

This left Tom with a dilemma, and giving himself huge amounts of man points he decided that he would row without a seat i.e. using his arse.  The pain on his face people on the bank observed is said to have been epic and surprisingly with Tom only being able to row at quarter slide max the balance of the boat was reasonable and we headed on.  Unsurprisingly the speed wasn't as great as we would have wished but we rowed over without mishap.

It was only at the end Tom's predicament was explained to the rest of the crew and when we came off the water, the friction burns through his shorts, boxers and skin were testament to his effort.  At least he had provided us with a sepia photo come bumps dinner.

C: E. Thompson S: M. Jones 7: E. Kwong 6: M. Clark 5: M. Varley 4: D. Pattinson 3: R. Blencowe 2: C. Hansford B: T. Mitchell-Williams Coach: C. Adams Coach: K. Coventry

Came out hopeful this morning, knowing that Robinson had sent us down a talented, but definitely catchable crew in the form of Girton III. This wasn't going to be a pushover, but a target made all the more interesting by the head-to-head between first year Vets in both boats.

Again, we rowed up early, impressing all (including Newnham W2) with our Boatie banter, and had a good chat on the banks. This included an attempt to stare Girton out, which failed. We headed for the lock.

Our ever improving start again was solid, and we made headway straight away. Girton were not slow, and we had to work for all the ground we gained. Everyone in the boat wanted it, and Laurence kept the rate high, while the rest of us delivered the results. Every man put heart and soul into it, and we were flying as we came round towards the reach. Amid the calls of encouragement from everyone as we emerged past the crowds, the moment was incredible and we were feet away. One final massive push from Rachel gave us overlap, not that any of us realised this. So Rachel called another, and we ensured the bump by physically mounting Girton, fortunately with no casualties.

A swift move to the bank, and we could celebrate. I know personally this was one of the most gratifying and pleasing moments of my life, having worked so hard for a win. Certainly, the oversized bits of tree we gathered were testament to the feeling of the boat. A strong row back, and a good day. Success and congratulations M3.

C: R. Brown S: L. Bargery 7: B. Srigengan 6: G. Steele 5: B. Wright 4: T. Moore 3: K. Lim 2: N. Bookbinder-Ryan B: A. Lepper