The Boat Club

17. Open Dive. 1st R. J. De Little, 2nd R. Nelson, 3rd M. J. F. Everitt. 18. Under 16-k Obstacle Race-50 yds. 1st R. M. Kirkus, 2nd M. J. McCallum, 3rd J. 0. R. Penman. Time : 44.0 secs. 19. Open Obstacle Race-50 yds. 1st C. W. Thompson, 2nd M. J. F. Everitt, 3rd M. S. Milne. Time : 47.0 secs. 20. Under 15 Obstacle Race-25 yds. 1st P. S. Roe, 2nd N. J. Magson, 3rd J. C. Armstrong. Time : 21.5 secs. 21. Open Plunge. 1st C. W. Thompson, 2nd P. D. F. James, 3rd J. Whittaker. Distance : 51 ft. 10 ins. 22. Under 15 Free Style-25 yds. 1st W. B. Crosskill, .2nd P. S. Roe, 3rd R. B. Wilson. Time : 15.6 secs. 23. Under 161 Back-stroke-50 yds. 1st A. J. Isherwood, 2nd A. E. Wick, 3rd F. J. Pacey. Time: 37.8 secs. (School record). 24. Under 15 Dive. 1st W. B. Crosskill, 2nd P. S. Roe, 3rd J. C. Armstrong. 25. Under 16-i Relay (4 x 25 yds.). 1st Rise, 2nd School House, 3rd Temple. Time : 62.2 secs. 26. Under 15 Relay (4 x 25 yds). 1st School House, 2nd Rise, 3rd Temple. Time : 73.2 secs. 27. Open Relay (4 x 25 yds.). 1st Manor, 2nd Grove, 3rd School House. Time : 64.0 secs.

Award of points 1st— 5 pts. 2nd-3 pts. 3rd-1 pt.

Relays ... 1st-10 pts. 2nd-6 pts. 3rd-2 pts. Rise 79 points School House 76 points Manor ... 631 points Grove 36 points Temple ... 151 points

At the conclusion of the Swimming Sports Mrs. Dronfield kindly presented the Kazerooni Cup to D. Coverdale, the Captain of the Rise Swimming Team.

An innovation in administration instituted last term which provided a Captain and a Secretary—though the latter designation was unofficial—fully justified itself, and no term has passed with so few worries about periods of rowing and the change-over of crews. Whittaker was as good a Captain as one could wish for. It is never an easy task to be a Captain of Boats and the responsibility cannot be undertaken in a haphazard or blustering manner. Whittaker obtained his results by force of example, though he could be firm when the occasion required it. He was respected as much for his captaincy as for his oarsmanship.

Robinson, as Secretary, was obviously just the man for the job, and he evolved a splendid system of staggered outings which it would be well to keep in operation in future years. Much responsibility fell on his broad shoulders and they were more than strong enough to carry it.

School rowing in general reached a high level. It was, however, interesting to note that only the first two crews had had any previous

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racing experience, and this year must in some ways be regarded as a period of training for next year. Very few members of the Boat Club are leaving and future prospects are rosy. The first two boats rowed very well and fell victims only to more mature and physically stronger crews. It is most gratifying to record the double success against Durham School; and the narrow defeat in the final of the White Rose Cup at York Regatta, sad though it was, was something to be proud of.

The Old Peterite races at Commemoration were attended by a goodly gathering. Much interest was centred on the race of the School 1st crew against a crew containing three members of last year's crew and a fourth, Murray, who has rowed all the year at Oxford. But the School crew won after a very interesting and exciting race. Four other races were also rowed, and all but one were won by the School.

A word of thanks should once again be given to all who have assisted in the coaching and also to those boys who spent a considerable time at the end of the term in repainting the shield on the boathouse and on the very urgent repairs to various portions of the woodwork.

Outside the Boat Club our thanks must also be given to Mr. Whittaker who, at a time when he feared the loss of his brother (who did, in fact, pass away that same evening), drove the 1st boat to Newark in his car and provided another car for the 2nd boat. We appreciate this act of kindness very much.

The senior oarsmen of the Boat Club will be anticipating the pleasure of the first outing in the new fine four which is now being built for us by Messrs. Sims, of Hammersmith. It is being built with a plywood skin, which is both lighter and less prone to those cracks which so often appear and let in the enemy, water.

1st IV CHARACTERS

Bow : WHITTAKER (Captain). A strong and dependable oar, whose only fault was a tendency to move the oar before putting it into the water. 2: HILTON. In stature rather the odd man out, but he managed to fit in with the crew and move a lot of water. 3: WEIGHTMAN. A long, unhurried oar and a good support to stroke. He could pull very hard when he desired, but seemed occasionally to be under the weather, Very good style. Stroke : THOMPSON. He has developed his racing capacities well, but must guard against the little rush up to the front stop. Cox : FOY. Consistently able. A true cox with ability to coach his crew along. 2nd IV : Humble, Jackson, R. A., Dick, Dent; Pattison. 3rd IV—Jackson, J. A., Dunn, Saville, Oldroyd; Howat, C. G.

OLD PETERITE CREWS. 1st Crew : N. E. V. Marshall (bow), H. Murray (2), R. Hawkins (3), M. G. Goodburn (stroke).

2nd Crew : P. J. Rhead (bow), J. D. Dench (2), F. N. Newdick (3), P. C.

Knowlson (stroke). 3rd Crew : M. J. Everitt (bow), R. D. Watson (2), J. N. Roe (3), R. G.

Emmett (stroke). 4th Crew : R. A. Relton (bow), D. C. Thompson (2), E. Robinson (3),

G. E. Shepherd (stroke). 5th Crew : C. D. Green (bow), J. M. Ryder (2), J. F. Lavender (3), J. M.

Graham (stroke). Coxes : E. G. Brown and M. I. Daniel.

REPORTS OF RACES 1st and 2nd IVs v. NOTTINGHAM HIGH SCHOOL Rowed at York on 17th May, 1952.

The races against Nottingham were rowed this year on the day of the York Spring Regatta. In the first's race both crews were off to a good start and stayed level all the way to Scarborough Bridge. At the take-in, however, Nottingham's No. 2 caught a crab, and it took quite a time for the crew to recover—long enough for the School to gain a lead of about 6 lengths, which they maintained to the finish. The time was 4 minutes 37 seconds, which was fast under the conditions.

Of the two second boats the Nottingham crew, on the Minster side, had a faster rate of striking and were soon almost a length ahead. Approaching the diving-boards the Nottingham No. 2 caught a crab, and this gave the School a chance to draw level. Before any real advantage could be gained, however, the two crews, trying to avoid pleasure boats, collided; the race had therefore to be restarted and once again Nottingham went ahead, only to catch another crab at Marygate. The School rowed on to win by lengths.

1st, 2nd, and 3rd IVs v. ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE, YORK Rowed on 24th 'May, 1952.

It was unfortunate that this fixture should coincide with the weekend when some of the St. John's oarsmen were away on field studies. Our opponents' 1st crew was therefore not available and we rowed St. John's 2nd, 3rd and 4th boats.

In the first two races, the School had little difficulty in beating their opponents, but the 3rd race developed into a very exciting finish with only a canvas separating two well-balanced crews. The first and seconds both went ahead at the beginning and were never challenged. The senior crew won by 4 lengths in 4 minutes 41 seconds, and the seconds "easily" in 4 minutes 53.5 seconds.

The beginning of the third race saw St. John's going ahead but the School soon drew level, and the crews rowed almost stroke for stroke until Scarborough Bridge, when the School were a canvas up. The School at this point drew ahead a little more, but their lead was again shortened to a canvas at the take-in. The time was 4 minutes 45 seconds.

1st, 2nd, and 3rd IVs v. DURHAM SCHOOL Rowed at Durham on 31st May, 1952.

In this, our annual fixture with Durham, our first two crews were both successful; to beat Durham's first boat is always an achievement, for they rarely fail to produce a fine crew. This year the School won the toss and chose the boat-house side, which, while carrying no advantage in distance, has an undoubted psychological effect due to the very sharp bridge turn. Both crews, rowing in swivels, went off strongly, and soon the School took the lead, increasing it to a length at the bridge. Durham, on the inside of the long bend, then began to overhaul us steadily, but the School, rowing strongly, managed to hold off the challenge to win, at the staggered finish, by two feet.

The second crews raced over four furlongs, half the distance covered by the firsts. At the start Durham took the lead, but the School came up strongly and finished half a length ahead. The third crew had a re-row after a broken stretcher had handicapped the School in the first race. The Durham boat, however, proved too good for us and, with both crews rowing smoothly, they won by 1i lengths, thus depriving the School of the coveted triple victory.

1st and 2nd IVs at NEWARK REGATTA, 7th June, 1952.

This year both first and second crews travelled to Newark, and it eventually turned out to be the second's day. Entered for the maiden event, they won their first two races in good style, beating University College, Hull, by 2 lengths and Loughborough by of a length after a strong "take-in". In the quarter-final, however, they were unable to hold a powerful Nottingham Britannia crew, and they lost by a length.

The first crew, in the Junior event, were not so successful, and after suffering the misfortune of breaking an oar on the way up to the start, lost by a length to the Building Apprentices' B.A.S.A. Club. Although, of course, we were able to borrow an oar, the incident obviously upset the School crew, whose rowing thereafter was steady but uninspired. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd IVs at LEEDS REGATTA, 14th June, 1952.

Despite the inclemency of the weather the School enjoyed one of its best days this term at Leeds Regatta. The first crew was entered in the Junior Fours event and the 2nd and 3rd fours in the Maidens.

The first boat was drawn against Liverpool University in their first race and led from the start to gain entry into the semi-final by a 2-length victory. In the semi-final they met King's College B.C., Newcastle, who led for the first 2 furlongs by a I of a length. Then, 77

however, although on the outside of the first bend, the School crept up so that on reaching the second bend (in their favour) they were a length up and rowing very well. They eventually won by lengths. The final saw them rowing against Manchester University, who were the much stronger crew, and led from the beginning, being able to take advantage of both bends and win by 2 lengths.

The maiden crews both reached the semi-final, the 2nds beating a Leeds University crew by 2 lengths and the 3rds beating another King's College crew by 1 length. Both, however, lost their second race, the 2nds just failing by a canvas against Liverpool University, while the thirds lost to the eventual winners, Lancaster Royal Grammar School, by 21 lengths.

3rd and 4th IVs v. LEEDS UNIVERSITY I Rowed at York on 18th June, 1952.

Leeds were only able to provide two scratch fours, unfortunately, and so they rowed against our 3rd and 4th fours. The 3rd IV led all the way and won by 4 lengths, while in the other race the School passed the finishing line 1 minute ahead of their opponents.

1st, 2nd, and 3rd IVs at YORK REGATTA, 21st June, 1952.

The 2nd and 3rd fours were unable to repeat their success of the previous week, both crews losing in their first race. The 3rds were entered in the maiden event and met their match in Newark Rowing Club, who, having won this race by 1 length, eventually won the Cup. The 2nds, in the Junior Fours event, were equally unsuccessful, losing to Kingston (Hull) R.C. by 11 lengths.

The 1st four, for the third year in succession, reached the final of the White Rose Challenge Cup for Junior-Senior Fours, but, like the crews of the past two years, were beaten. In the first round they met Hollingsworth Lake, who gave them a very close race and, although never actually leading, were at one point (York City boathouse) level, but the School won by 3 feet. In the semi-final the School rowed exceptionally well and won by 1 length, their opponents, Durham A.R.C., being unable to make up the distance lost by being coxed into the bay between Love Lane and the diving-boards. Thus, for the second time in eight days we met a Manchester University crew in a final; and once again the 'varsity crew proved too strong for the School and won by 1 length, a lead which they had gained before Scarborough Bridge but which they did not increase from that point. 78

THE DOMESTIC REGATTA, 9th July, 1952.

Once more, to provide encouragement for better rowing among the more junior crews, a domestic regatta was held towards the end of term and provided a very pleasant afternoon's programme.

There were 10 races, three preliminaries having been rowed on the previous Monday. The crews were divided into two divisions, Senior and Junior, four crews being in the former and 11 in the other.

In the Senior division amusement was provided, apparently for the rest of the crew as well as spectators, when one of the members of "E" crew became entangled with his seat, thus allowing their opponents to win by 4 lengths in a time which will, of necessity, remain a secret. The other semi-final saw a well-polished crew stroked by Haxby lose to a much heavier crew by 3 lengths. In the final, Herring's boat won from a crew, much handicapped by injury and actually containing one cricketer, ably stroked by Smith, C. K., by 1f lengths.

The Junior division provided more interest as the potentialities of the various crews were really unknown. Of the beginners the crew , stroked by Welsh, J. M., was very promising, although knocked out in the quarter finals. "G" were without their stroke owing to illness, and Ibberson kindly took his place. Such was his effect upon the crew that they won the final, but only after an exciting race in the semi-final when they beat "H", stroked by Heap, in the fastest time of the afternoon (2 minutes 18 seconds from Wall-end to diving-boards). They beat "K" in the final, the latter finding three hard races in one afternoon a little too exhausting. WINNING CREW'S :

Senior Division : Atkinson, Simpson, A. E., Coates, M. N., Herring.

Junior Division : Sheriff, Wheatley, R. D., Simpson, C. B., Ibberson. RESULTS OF THE DOMESTIC REGATTA

JUNIOR DIVISION

Preliminary Round Second Round Semi Final Final

K l K P f 1. J — bye J K 11.

K

L l L N f easily 1 1 I — bye 1.

3} 1.

M O f G — M bye f G 2/. 1.

G easily

bye l H H — bye f 41. lf 1.

SENIOR DIVISION Semi Final Final B 1 B E f 41.

C C D f 31.

C 4 1.