The Boat Club

As was foreseen, the large number of boaters who left last year caused a hiatus in the Boat Club, and in consequence our Senior crews this year have not won any cups. This might not have applied to the 1st IV had not the Captain of Boats been a Senior oar and

thus compelled the crew to enter only for senior events in regattas.

However, the three School crews made excellent progress in their rowing, and this fact, combined with the emergence from the lower

end of the Boat Club of some very promising oarsmen, holds more than a little hope for better results next year. Indeed, if it were required to find some simple expression to cover the term's rowing, it would be to comment on the enthusiasm displayed by many of

the younger members.

The 1st IV met some fine senior crews in their races, and these

proved too good for them, but only against Leeds University in a

10 furlong race did they lose by a heavy margin. A criticism which has been justly made about the 1st IV has been its lack of staying power. Time after time they have obtained a lead, only to lose the race by a considerable amount. This was particularly noticeable against Durham School and against the Old Peterite 1st IV. In the latter race the crews were well matched as far as Scarborough Bridge, and yet the O.P. crew won by 11 lengths at Marygate.

This is a disturbing feature and one which must be eradicated.

In all probability it is due to an inability to reduce the rate of striking after a start in order to let the rowing settle down into a powerful pull with a reserve of energy for the finish. The lesson which has to be learnt is how to pull a strong stroke after an easy swing forward.

In this the 1st IV has not yet been successful.

The 2nd IV was by no means polished but, nevertheless, did very well in the Maiden event at York Regatta and were one of three crews any one of which might have won the event, which did, in fact, go to St. John's College. The 3rd IV made excellent progress

and lacked only the weight and power which is essential when competing with mature crews.

Our races with Durham School did not go the way we would have liked, and we look forward to next year to have our revenge.

The visit of a Shooting VIII to Bisley makes a boater think of

the time when St. Peter's will be represented at Henley. There are many obstacles to be overcome in order to realise this dream, including the dates of examinations, the state of our boats and, of course, the heavy costs. But these difficulties can be overcome. What we must

concentrate on, however, is to produce a Boat Club with such a high standard of rowing that we shall have a crew worthy of racing at Henley, then we shall be able to consider ways and means. 88

The retirement of Mr. Ping from St. Olave's reminds us of his long connection with the Boat Club, and a rumour is abroad that with the cessation of his routine duties his interest in the Boat Club may increase, and it is not impossible that he will be heard again in a tub keeping his voice in good trim. Be that as it may, his interest in the river will never decline and he may even have a say in deciding how much water shall pass the Waterworks.

For the last six weeks we have been delighted to have Mr. D. B. Read's help with coaching—and coxing—and his enthusiasm has done not a little to encourage some junior oarsmen.

The building of the new York City Boathouse has now begun, and we wish them good luck with it. We have been very happy in offering them our simple hospitality, but we did it in the certain knowledge that if the same misfortune had happened to us they would have done the same for us.

The Old Peterite races at Commemoration were a great success, and it is pleasing to find so many Old Peterites who are still rowing. We feel we would like to mention the names of Mr. V. B. Gregory, who has given a great stimulus to York City's 1st IV and stroked them to a magnificent win over Leeds University's intended Henley IV, and also that of R. A. Jackson, who has been rowing for a highly successful Durham University Eight this season after being Captain of Boats last year.

RESULTS OF RACES

v. R.A.F. CRANWELL, 21st May.

This was rowed in clinker boats and our crew consisted of one from the 1st IV and three of the 2nd IV. Cranwell showed the advantage of a long, steady stroke and led by 4- length at the half-way mark and increased this lead to 2i lengths. They were a clearly superior crew in all ways. NEWARK REGATTA, 4th June.

The 1st IV were drawn against Nottingham Union B.C. in the 1st round, and after a poor start were lengths down. This distance was reduced to II lengths at the finish. The 2nd IV lost to Deacon's School in the Schoolboy Fours by length. LEEDS REGATTA, 1 1 th June.

In the 1st round of the Senior Fours, the 1st IV lost to Leeds University by 4 lengths over a 10 furlong course. The 2nd IV lost to St. John's College 1st IV in the Maiden Fours by length, and the 3rd IV, after beating Hatfield College comfortably, lost to Leicester R.C. YORK REGATTA, 18th June.

In the Senior Fours the 1st IV lost to Durham School. This was a disappointing draw as it provided a preview to the friendly race three weeks later. The School led up to Scarborough Bridge but Durham School pulled away to win by 11 lengths. The 2nd IV reached the semi-final after winning two races in the Maiden Fours and then lost to St. John's College. The 3rd IV lost to a Durham School crew.

SCHOOL REGATTA, 2nd July.

For the purpose of racing, crews were divided into three divisions. In the finals, B crew beat C crew by I length; E beat F by 21 lengths; and N beat M easily. The three divisions were rowed over 5, 4 and 3 furlongs and these distances proved very suitable.

Winning crews : "B"—Burden, Stubbs, Coates, R. F., Moore, J. E. "E"—Franklin, Forster, Collinson, Plester. "N"—Baines, Bagshaw, House, Cook.

v. DURHAM SCHOOL, 6th July.

It was hoped that after losing in York Regatta by only 11 lengths the School 1st IV would put up a better performance and perhaps reverse the decision. After a start which put Durham a little ahead, the School caught up but had not the reserve for a finish and lost by 3 lengths. The 2nd IV held Durham to 1 length for half the course and then lost by 21 lengths. The 3rd IV lost by the smallest margin of 11 lengths.

OLD PETERITE RACES, 23rd July. 1st IV. O.P.s won by 11 lengths. 2nd IV. School won by 2 lengths. 3rd IV. School won by 2 lengths. 4th IV. School won by 14 lengths. 5th IV. School won by 4 lengths. 6th IV. O.P.s won by 3 feet.

OLD PETERITE CREWS :

J. M. Saville, R. A. Jackson, R. J. Gibson, V. B. Gregory.

M. C. M. Lochore, V. B. Gregory, J. A. Jackson, C. W. Thompson.

D. N. Simmons, E. Robinson, D. C. Jackson, G. M. Herring.

J. B. Claydon, D. A. Haxby, C. S. Elston, J. E. Smith.

C. W. D. Green, A. M. Carr, W. H. W. Ping, J. M. Welsh.

J. M. Saville, M. J. Kent, A. D. G. Staines, J. C. Dent.

Coxes : J. W. Rudd, D. A. Haxby, R. D. J. Pattison.

SCHOOL CREWS:

Bolton, Beckitt, Welsh, Heap.

Strike, Stephenson, Birch, Moore, J. E.

Bryce, King, Kirkus, Howat, C. G.

Clemons, Stubbs, Staines, Walker, D. H.

Kirby, Sedman, Hopwood, Handler.

Turner, Whitmore, Bywater, Wilson, M. B.

1st IV CHARACTERS

Stroke and Captain of Boats. B. A. Heap. A powerful and hard-working oar with general ability to control his crew but still needing experience in racing tactics. An excellent Captain who has had the respect of all. 3. M. Welch. A strong oar who, after a shaky start, settled down to a greatly improved style. 2. D. G. Beckitt. A competent oar who has yet to discover the right way of putting the blade into the water.

Bow. M. J. Bolton. A greatly improved oar but lacking a steadiness on the front stop.

Cox. J. R. U. Leishman. In the encouragement he gave he was worth the little extra weight his crew had to carry and was always successful in the courses he had to steer.