The Boat Club

The boating history of last term was, from the point of view of the School Fours, a series of disappointments. This does not mean that we were entirely without success; indeed, there were several notable performances culminating in a very fine effort by the 1st IV at York Regatta when they raced the winners to within three feet in the final of the White Rose event. The disappointments were the result of frequent alterations due to illness and examinations. It is a fact that, from the start of the racing season until York Regatta, only one crew had as much as a fortnight's continuous practice as a crew and some had less than a week. Our sympathy went out to A. N. C. Smith who, having won his place in the 1st IV in time for Newark Regatta—when the 1st IV was really showing great promise—was assailed by boils in a delicate spot, which affected his efficiency at Leeds Regatta and finally caused his retirement for the rest of the season. His place in the 1st IV was filled admirably at short notice by C. W. Thompson, who had been stroking the 4th IV, so admirably that, as stated above, the crew were within three feet of winning the White Rose Cup.

Another notable performance worth mentioning was that of X crew at Tyne Regatta in the Maiden event. They had three hard races to reach the final and were there beaten by Durham School by about half a length, the final being rowed about half an hour after the semi-final.

The acquisition by the School of the former Swimming Club premises proved its value in providing the Boat Club with a changing room and workshop. In the latter Mr. K. H. Rhodes was frequently to be seen re-leathering oars with skill and vigour. An artistic piece of designing and execution by R. Hawkins produced a painted sh'eld for the new premises and a squad of volunteers soon had new roofing felt on a leaky roof.

M. G. Goodburn, as Captain of Boats, filled the position with enthusiasm at all times. One may have had occasional doubts of his ability to organise the correct number of oarsmen, coxes, oars and coaches into the given number of boats (no light matter at the best of times), but of his energy and keenness, never. After the end of his examinations he undertook the re-making of some of the steps of the slipway and the re-painting of many oars; indeed, he repaired several oars and the least one can say about the success of this difficult task is that the repairs held.

The master-in-charge of boating must at all times depend on the co-operation of the Captain of Boats and no degree of efficiency can compensate for a lack of enthusiasm; thus, on consideration, it is abundantly clear that Goodburn was a worthy successor to the long line of Captains of Boats.

Mention must here be made of the part played by E. Robinson who, possessel of unusually large stature and a marked stiffness in his shoulders, could not be worked into a School crew. Not allowing this disappointment to upset him, he devoted all his energies to coaching the junior boats. Perhaps he will be able to represent the School again this year.

Much of the smooth running and efficiency of the Boat Club has been due to the regular presence of Mr. J. Lavender, who has played a full part in the arduous task of coaching, crew-changing and boat repairs.

The School Regatta, known now for better or for worse as the Domestic Regatta, has again brought to light much hidden talent in the lower boats. Congratulations to E crew who won the Senior Division and to I crew who were successful in the Junior Division.

There is a tendency to think that success in rowing depends on (i) the speed with which a crew slides forward and (ii) upon the number of courses rowed prior to a race. A very little experience teaches that the first thing for the junior oarsman to achieve is a complete mastery over the boat in which he is rowing, which is known in the world of boating as "balance", and the rest will come as skill and strength develop. Many crews never really achieve this balance, and their rowing is never very skilful and is certainly not a pretty sight. In the Domestic Regatta the spectators saw good crews and bad crews and a very keen spirit of competition; and after all is said and done keenness compensates for many deficiencies.

1st IV CHARACTERS

Bow : N. E. V. MARSHALL. A very reliable oar, developing in strength, who will be an asset to any boat club. 2: A. N. C. SMITH. Though not a boater in the Easter Term he worked his way by his skill into the 1st IV and was rowing well until indispositions called a halt to his rowing. 2 (substitute): C. W. THOMPSON. His style was not polished but he achieved the knack of being able to fit into this crew and he pulled every ounce of his considerable weight. 3: R. HAWKINS. Like Bow he was very reliable. His blade work was neat and unhurried and he gave good support to Stroke. Stroke : M. G. GOODBURN. Captain. A good racing stroke who had the confidence of his crew and obtained immediate response from them. His style suffered from unsteadiness over his stretcher and fussiness with his blade as it entered the water. Cox : T. A. Fov. Made very few mistakes and gave real encouragement to the crew.

SCHOOL CREWS. 2nd IV : Rhead, Hilton, Whittaker, Smithson; Seaton. 3rd IV : Lochore, Roe, Weightman, Murray; Macdonald. 4th IV : Webster, R. W., Cobham, Dwyer or Humble, Thompson or Haw; Walsh, J. M.

VIII: Ahead, Smithson, Lochore, Murray, Marshall, Roe, Hawkins,

Goodburn; Haxby. X Crew (at Tyne Regatta): Whittaker, Hilton, Weightman, Thompson;

Foy. E Crew (and 5th IV against 0.P.$): Sharp, Herring, Collins, I., Oldroyd. I Crew : Wheatley, J. P., Gardner, Jackson, R. A., Griffiths.

OLD PETERITE CREWS which rowed in the Commemoration races :-

P. R. Sykes (bow), J. D. Dench (2), C. S. Shepherd (3), T. F. Morris (Str.). Cox, E. G. Brown.

F. N. Newdick (bow), D. Hardisty (2), R. J. Gibson (3), J. Amos (Str.). Cox, M. I. Daniels.

C. D. Green (bow), C. C. Clement (2), A. M. Kendell (3), P. C. Newhouse (Str.). Cox, L. E. Shenker.

J. D. Ward (bow), R. D. Watson (2), W. H. W. Ping (3), J. M. Ryder (Str.). Cox, M. I. Daniels.

J. B. Crabtree (bow), G. W. Smith (2), J. A. Hannon (3), M. Wye (Str.). Cox, E. G. Brown.

v. DURHAM SCHOOL, 26th May, at York.

Results : 1st IV lost by 2f lengths. 2nd IV lost by 3 lengths. 3rd IV won by 1f lengths. 1st IV. This race over seven furlongs was rowed in fine boats, Durham using a swivel-pinned boat kindly loaned by York B.C. At the start Durham drew away and were two lengths up at Love Lane. They held this lead until between bridges when they increased their stroke to win by 2i lengths. 2nd IV. This was a five furlong race in clinkers. The School took the lead at the start but failed to lengthen out and were soon overtaken by Durham, who went on to win without serious challenge. 3rd IV. Thompson took his crew away with a fast stroke which he maintained over this short course of four furlongs to give the School its one victory of the day.

v. ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE, York, 30th May, at York.

Results : 1st IV won easily. 2nd IV won by 2 lengths. 3rd IV won by 3 lengths. 1st IV. After a good start the School led by a length at Love Lane. Later an accident caused the St. John's stroke to lose his seat and the School won easily. 2nd IV. After a very close start the School crew gained a lead of a canvas by the boat-house. A good "ten" gave them a further advantage and between bridges the distance opened out to two lengths. 3rd IV. The School took the lead at the start and went steadily ahead.

NEWARK REGATTA, 2nd June, at Newark.

Owing to the kindness of Mr. Goodburn and Mr. Rhodes, who provided transport, and to Mr. Shardlow who treated us to a royal repast at the Robin Hood Hotel and made us free of his launch, the School was represented in the Junior event by the 1st IV. The crew was rowing with great promise and won two very good races to be beaten in the final by a very good opponent.

Results : 1st IV beat Manchester University by 1 length; beat Burton Leander by 2 lengths; lost to Northwich by 2 lengths. v. NOTTINGHAM HIGH SCHOOL, 2nd June, at Nottingham.

Results : 2nd IV lost to N.H.S. 1st IV by 6 feet. 3rd IV lost to N.H.S. 2nd IV by 4 lengths. 2nd IV. At the start the School were down but Smithson gradual worked the stroke up and with a fine take-in almost drew level IA Nottingham. 3rd IV. Rowed over four furlongs the race soon became procession.

LEEDS REGATTA, 9th June, at Leeds.

Results : 1st IV lost to Manchester University in the Senior IVs. 2nd IV beat Leeds University by half a length; beat Royal Grammar School, Lancaster, by length; lost to Nottingham and Union B.C. by 3 len 3rd IV lost to Manchester University by 2 lengths. v LEEDS UNIVERSITY, 13th June, at York.

Results : 1st IV dead heat with Leeds 1st IV. 2nd IV lost to Leeds 3rd IV. 3rd IV beat Leeds 4th IV by 4 lengths. 1st IV. In a fine four kindly loaned by York City B.C., and with Thompson at 2 instead of Smith, who was indisposed, the 1st IV turned out without before having rowed a course as a crew. The start was fast and both crews got away well with the School soon a canvas up. This lead was maintained until Scarborough Bridge, where Leeds took the lead. The School rallied and by Marygate had drawn level. A grand finish now ensued with the crews holding each other stroke for stroke until the finish.

YORK REGATTA, 16th June, at York. Results : 1st IV beat Talkin Tarn by 2i lengths; lost to Chester R.C. by 3 feet. 2nd IV lost to Northwich R.C. easily. 3rd IV lost to King's College B.C. by 2 lengths. 4th IV lost to St. John's College by 2 lengths. 76

1st W. In the first round of the White Rose Challenge Cup the 1st IV started well and were soon a length up. A good ten at York City Boat-house gave them a comfortable lead which they maintained. In the final they were against a heavy crew. Losing ground at the start the School had to row hard to keep to within half a length. At the diving board Chester were further ahead. Once through Scarborough Bridge, however, the School started to "take it in" and caught up the Chester crew. The crews rowed dead level, but Chester got the winning stroke in at the finishing post.

TYNE REGATTA, 14th July, at Blaydon.

Results : The School VIII lost to Durham School VIII by 2 lengths. X Crew beat Durham Constabulary B Crew. beat Tyne A.R.C.; beat Durham Constabulary A Crew; lost to Durham School.

The VIII. The Secretary of Tyne Regatta dropped a bombshell by informing us at the last moment that the VIII's race would be with swivel pins. A hasty rush round proved the co-operation of York City B.C., for they lent us for the last two practices their best four, which is equipped with swivels. Practising in two halves the VIII had this brief chance of becoming familiar with the action of swivels. Mr. de Winton, of Durham School, also arranged for us to borrow some of their oars.

In the race the School started badly and were down. They were unable to make any impression on Durham School, who won by two lengths.

X Crew. This crew of next year's possibles had a hard day of it. Each of their three preliminary races was to within a length, and the final had to be rowed very soon after the semi-final in order to catch the train in Newcastle. It was disappointing to lose the final but the experience gained will be of great value next season.

v. YORK CITY B.C., 25th July, at York.

Result : The VIII beat York City VIII by a canvas.

The race was rowed in the evening after supper in order to enable the School to line the river bank to give their support. It was a race exciting enough to thrill the most hardened spectator. The School were a canvas up at the boat-house but York City, on the inside of the bend, reversed the positions and went about half a length up. Once through Scarborough Bridge the School crew, rowing very well, recovered this lost ground and were able to spurt at the finish to obtain the small lead.