May Bumps 2024: Headship glory for Lady Margaret and Caius crews on the River Cam

The men’s and women’s headships changed hands during an entertaining edition of last week’s May Bumps on the River Cam.

Twelve months ago there was stalemate at the summit of the men’s Division One, with Caius, Lady Margaret and Magdalene unchanged on the podium.

However, this time around it was far less predictable with Caius – winners in 2019, 2022 and 2023 – being bumped by both Lady Margaret and Magdalene.

The Lady Margaret boat held on for top honours, followed by Magdalene as runners-up.

Elsewhere, Hughes Hall and Fitzwilliam got a bump on each of the four evenings to earn their blades – and moved up from Division Two to One in the process.

Churchill, Clare Hall, Peterhouse II, Fitzwilliam II, Lucy Cavendish, St Catharine’s III and Lucy Cavendish II also earned blades across the men’s divisions.

In the women’s top division, Caius started second and swiftly found themselves third after being bumped by Lady Margaret.

However, not only did they gain revenge to move themselves back into the top two, they then reeled in leaders Jesus to finish in first place.

After being bumped on four occasions last year, the slide continued for 2022 winners Newnham and they now sit eighth going into 2025.

First and Third caught the eye to earn their blades by moving up from 14th to 10th position, while that feat was matched across the women’s divisions by Hughes Hall, St Edmund’s, Sidney Sussex II, First and Third II and Homerton III.