Rowing

As there were no 1st or 2nd IV Colours left from last year, or any 3rd IV " caps," it appeared that we should have an almost helpless set of crews. Far from being helpless, the crews were remarkably successful. G. E. Shepherd, with last year's 1st IV Coxing Colours, was appointed Captain of Boats and stroked the 1st IV. Mr. Ping and Mr. Rhodes are to be congratulated on their superb coaching of the several crews. A 1st IV victory over Nottingham High School, a good attempt by the 3rd IV at York Regatta, a splendid capture of the Mason Challenge Cup at Tees Regatta and an exciting VIII race are fine tributes to their inspiring efforts.

The first fixture was against Nottingham High School at home on June 12th. It was not too warm, and the weather was about the best it can be for boating. The 1st IV's raced first, or at least started first. Just before York City Boathouse, Nottingham, who were half a length in the lead, suffered a series of mishaps, the result of which was the complete immersion of their boat. It was decided to race them again when they had changed. The 2nd IV's now raced, and although Atkinson tried his best with a spurt between the bridges it was of no avail, and our opponents won by two lengths. When it is remembered that each of the winning crew weighed two stone heavier than any of our 2nd IV, it will be realised that this was no mean effort. The 1st IV's were ready to race again within half an hour. The School drew to race on the slightly inferior Station side of the river. Nottingham were a length in the lead at Scarborough Bridge. However, Shepherd, with a magnificent spurt, caught them up, and about thirty yards from the end the School were two feet in front. Here the time of the Nottingham crew became rather ragged and we drew ahead to win by half a length. This was a triumph indeed, for our inexperienced crew against their old 1st and 2nd IV Colours.

Last year's new fixture with Leeds University Maiden Crews was partially cancelled. A crew arrived to race against the 2nd IV. This was a good race from beginning to end, first one crew and then the other taking the lead. Our opponents finished the winners by a length.

YORK REGATTA.

York Regatta was held on June 19th. The weather was dreadful, for it rained continuously. The 1st IV was entered for the Regatta Cup, and the 2nd and 3rd IV's for the John E. Gibb Challenge Cup.

The 2nd IV raced an Agecroft R.C. crew, who eventually won the final. Our opponents took the lead from the start and were a length in front at the first bridge. This lead was momentarily reduced to half a length by a spurt from Atkinson; but he had shot his bolt and the School lost by a length.

The 3rd IV were drawn to race against a Leeds University crew. The School got a good start, were three lengths in the lead at Scarborough Bridge and increased this to win by four lengths. Their next race was against a Manchester University crew. This was a thrilling race from start to finish. The result was in the balance until the very end, where the School forged ahead to win by half a length. In the semi-final the 3rd IV raced York City R.C. Maiden Four. This too was an exciting race, the crews being level as far as Marygate. Although Taylor tried hard to keep up, the School was beaten by half a length.

The 1st IV were drawn to race Oundle B.C. in the Junior Fours. Our opponents got a good lead at the start and were four lengths ahead at Scarborough Bridge. Between the bridges, Shepherd managed to reduce the lead to three lengths, by which margin we finally lost. Oundle B.C. eventually won the final by three lengths, so this was not a bad show by any means.

Crews : 1st IV—C. J. Lynch (bow), R. Bower (2), H. D. F. Amor (3) , G. E. Shepherd (stroke), G. D. Jefferson (cox) . 2nd IV—J. A. Dent (bow), L. Telfor (2), M. G. Sproulle (3) , J. C. Atkinson (stroke) , J. M. Inglis (cox). 3rd IV—J. T. Brockbank (bow) , M. C. Robson (2), J. T. Harding (3), H. L. Taylor (stroke), T. A. Cato (cox) .

In the midst of all the excitement of York Regatta, two new clinkers arrived. These are not yet paid for, and the Boat Club will not refuse any offer towards their purchase, however small or big. We can assure any doubting benefactor that his money would not be wasted, for these boats are really good.

TEES REGATTA, JULY 10th.

For the first time, the Boat Club sent the 1st IV to Stockton-on-Tees to compete for the Mason Challenge Bowl at Tees Regatta. Our first race was against Tynemouth B.C. 57

The School gained slightly at the start, but were soon three lengths in the rear, because of a wretched motor that got in the way. Undaunted by this bad luck, we " gave her tens " and had reduced the lead to two lengths at Victoria Bridge. The School continued to gain, and at the " take in " succeeded in passing Tynemouth, to win by quarter of a length.

In the final, the School were drawn to race against Tees A.R.C. Both crews got quite good starts, but at the end of half a minute Tees had drawn away by half a length. The School soon caught up. Now followed a yelling match between the coxes, each one striving to get the centre of the river, where the current was strongest. Jefferson eventually won, but not before oars had clashed. By Victoria Bridge we were a length ahead, and we increased this lead to win by the good margin of two lengths. Ours was a wily cox. 1st VIII v. YORK CITY.

The annual fixture took place on Wednesday, July 21st. From the very beginning this was an exciting race. Both crews got good starts and first one and then the other crew would take the lead. Past the L.N.E.R. diving boards, through Scarborough Bridge and beyond Marygate, the boats were level. Our opponents' "take her in" was better than ours however, and the School lost by the extremely narrow margin of eight feet. The School did not seem to be able to make their usual spurt at the end, although Shepherd put the stroke up well. We had won for the seven preceding years, and next year we mean to beat them again. 1st VIII—M. I. Sproulle, M. C. Robson, J. T. Harding, J. C. Atkinson, C. J. Lynch, R. Bower, H. D. F. Amor, G. E. Shepherd, G. D. Jefferson (cox).

O.P. RACES.

On July 24th the first two School crews rowed two O.P. crews. The new centre-seated clinkers were used, and praise of these was far from lacking.

The O.P. 1st IV were all heavy and experienced oarsmen. The School on the far side of the river were half a length behind after the first twenty strokes, but we soon caught up and passed the L.N.E.R. diving boards -three-quarters of a length ahead.

Crews : O.P.—J. M. Dickenson (bow), N. B. Corner (2), M. P. L. Wall (3), C. H. Vasey (stroke), A. Boy (cox). School—C. J. Lynch (bow), R. Bower (2), H. D. F. Amor (3) , G. E. Shepherd (stroke), G. D. Jefferson (cox). 5$

In the 2nd IV's race a mishap occurred in the O.P. boat opposite the Boathouse. It was decided to race again, starting from the Boathouse. The School took the lead quite soon and slowly drew farther away to win by two lengths. In both O.P. crews T. A. Cato was the cox, as no O.P. cox was forthcoming.

Crews- O.P.—R. S. Currie (bow), J. P. Farrow (2), D. Lund (3), N. L. Colbeck (stroke) , A. Boy (cox). School—J. A. Dent (bow) , L. Telfor (2), M. I. • Sproulle (3), J. C. Atkinson (stroke), J. M. Inglis (cox).

1st FOUR CHARACTERS.

C. J. Lynch (bow) . A very hard-working though rather stiff oarsman. He improved considerably during the term and now swings almost straight. 2. R. Bower. A much improved oar, who rows his best in races. His weight and length have been very useful, but he needs to remember not to shorten his swing. 3. H. D. F. Amor. A very useful (if sometimes pessimistic) oar. He combines his slidework and body work very well and invariably backed up Stroke in all his efforts. G. E. Shepherd (stroke) . In spite of his lack of weight, he has proved himself an excellent stroke. He has given life and length to the crew and showed very good judgment in timing his spurts in races. A hard-working and keen captain. G. D. Jefferson (cox) . A cox of great determination, who had a good idea of the right course to take and who stuck to it. Stone deaf !

2nd FOUR CHARACTERS.

J. A. Dent (bow) . A hard-working and very keen oar, who was rather handicapped by his shortness. Needs to learn more slide control. 2. L. Telfor. Showed a good deal of improvement during the term. Is rather inclined to rush forward in his anxiety to do more work. Is very stiff in the ankles. 3. M. I. H. Sproulle. A useful oar with an awkward finish.

He does a tremendous amount of work and rows his best in races. Tries to do too much with his arms.