Boat Club

Styx H.C.: Lost 1-5

This year the Styx had a strong team and inevitably they produced some very good hockey. To begin with the game was tight and although the Styx went into a one goal lead the School immediately equalised against the run of play. From then until the end of the first half the Styx dominated play and recaptured the lead. After the interval they consolidated their lead with three more well-taken goals. The remainder of the School team were awarded their colours for the season and Hall and Hepworth were both given their caps.

Pandas H.C.: Lost 1-6

This match was played at a fast pace and the two teams seemed evenly matched at the start. However, the greater experience of the Pandas eventually began to tell and they produced some good hockey towards the end of the first half. After the interval the School were under strong pressure and although they pulled one goal back from a short corner, the Pandas went on to win by a considerable margin. Old Peterites : Cancelled. 1st XI from : *R. C. Spence, *M. G. B. Hepworth, *B. J. Avison, *J. W. Gillgrass, *S. P. Coverdale, *D. M. Dempsey, *I. Robinson, *P. L. Hall (Capt.), *M. J. Jones, *R. T. S. Young, *R. F. Atkinson, *A. D. A. Smith, R. C. M. Dickenson. 2nd XI results:

York University, Lost 2-5.

Bootham School, Won 2-1.

Scarborough College, Won 2-1.

York H.C. 4th XI, Rained Off 1-1.

Worksop College, Lost 1-4. P.L.H.

BOAT CLUB 1971

In retrospect the '71 season is dominated by the outstanding achievement of an VIII and three reserves rowing in two days (211 hours on the water) from Oxford to London. That story is told elsewhere. It marks out this as another 'building' season since the £400 raised from that row goes to the provision of new craft—in this case 4 fine sculling boats on order for October. With funds raised last year the club has equipped itself with four adjustable riggers, a full set of weights, and been enabled to fibre-glass and so bring into commission two old shell eights. Speech Day saw two fours and five eights manned for the now established procession of boats, and old friends will like to know that 'Sally' is also in use.

But 'building' at a deeper level, too. There has been a great spirit, stemming perhaps from those 'nowt's too hard if you're daft enough to try it' days of the Long Row, welling in the members. None have been more thrilled at the advances being made at Colts and Junior Colts levels than the senior rowers—and that's generous from chaps about to leave the school and club. Work shifts in these last days of term have borne it out; most notably Neville Turton's splendidly conceived and executed lettering over the Boathouse, freely given. 27

Technically, club rowing is still behind what some may think it to

be, and we must confess that it has not been the strikingly successful regatta season it might have been. The 1st IV strode over the Yorkshire Head Course to win by 25 seconds; but as a crew which at one time and with the right equipment might have contemplated Senior standard, it was disappointing in the hard edge of short-course regatta competition. It subsequently took the Junior IV's trophy at Bradford. The 2nd IV emerging as such only very late in the season, were technically poor and won, after no less than 2 finals earlier in the season, by sheer guts. Robert Taylor, for his rowing as a novice in this crew, was awarded the Shackleton Cup for the most improved boater, awarded posthumously, one might say, last year to David Broom. Elsewhere there was many a near miss; with a total of 5 unsuccessful finalists and 5 semi-finalists, St. Peter's was at any rate in the running.

It is worth observing that long distance rowing (one has in mind the sponsored rows of these past two years and the fine achievement of the Colts in rowing over 15th out of 17 crews—and surely the youngest ever crew at that—in the Yorkshire Head of the River VIII's) does not add to the potential for regatta racing—unless in one respect, that it marks a willingness to row hard. So we were walloped by Durham and Lancaster in the Triangular, fresh from the Thames row . . . but, grooved to a rating of 12, what could one expect? The 1st IV never gained conviction with a high rating; the others got it at the expense of poor technique. Only if that technique is assured beforehand will a long row pay dividends other than financial.

There were sunny regattas and cold ones, with a wind which cut

like a knife; there were beery moments of success and depressing ones of resignation, as when an unparalleled severity in Nottingham Regatta committee disqualified our Colts VIII for being two minutes late to the start after watching them row up-70 miles of trailer bashing down the M1 and tortuous detours through the city, was it worth it? Above all we smarted from poor performances from the seniors at York Summer , Regatta, whilst delighting that again a colts IV reached Cadets final.

Weighing it all up, one sees a technical improvement of note, but

not distinction; brightest at the Colts and Junior Colts end, where weight training is now firmly established and where sculling will make its most marked effect next year. All this dominated by an esprit de corps which has been the most significant feature of the club's rowing and which will surely bear fruit. Robert Carson led it with vivacious humour and a never-say-die attitude as a fine captain; Dick Hamshaw never spoke about it but exuded it in every moment in and out of the boat, as vice captain; Andrew Sherris steered with it as one of our very best coxes; 14 Ricard Bell willed it into his crew . . . and John Slater put it into the new

conception of 'boatswain'.

The future? We look ahead on two fronts. In the building of club

facilities we shall not be complete without a sectional shell IV. Sophisti-

cated equipment is no use without being able to take it with you and use it where it's most needed—in races. If that implies a higher standard of entry, we accept it. It is unlikely that the school will see a really good eight (for which we do have the craft) for a few years yet; but a good competitive junior /senior four we can expect. And on a wider front,

influenced by the growing expense of regatta events and their inadequacy to provide racing for more than a few good crews, we look to creatin a 28

a framework of 'at home' events based on the north east rivers. Here, within a repechage system and a requirement to state the current racing condition of each crew (perhaps based on timed 500 metre distances), we could expect to create a better opportunity for schools racing of all grades.

I would like particularly to thank Trevor Ward among Old Peterites for getting together an eight for Speech Day, parents who gave their support at racing and have pledged future interest by the promise of trophies to the club, Peter Rivers for his interest in our photography; and all the many who gave their support to a sponsored row which has helped put the club on the map. Not least do we owe gratitude to Norcraft Marine who so speedily filled the gap left by our stolen dinghy. And nearer home D.R.D.C. has brought us tireless energy in coaching and administration and the sound standards of an ex-captain of Trinity, Cambridge.

C.P.M.D.

Club Officers:

Capt.—R. J. Carson (G), Vice-Captain--R. G. W. Hamshaw (G),

Boatswain—J. R. Slater (S), Senior Coxswain—A. B. L. Sherris (S). 1st IV R. G. W. Hamshaw, A. N. Lawrence, R. J. Carson, T. J. Morley, Cox— A. B. L. Sherris. Winners Yorkshire Head of River IV's, Junior IV's Bradford. 2nd IV D.P. Atkinson, N. J. M. Turton, R. E. Taylor, S. R. Bell, Cox--M. A. J. Ferguson. Winners Novice IV's Leeds. 3rd IV E. C. S. Fry, M. P. Tree, J. A. Croft, J. R. Slater, Cox—W. S. Mcllroy. 4th IV A. T. Sykes, M. J. S. Muncer, S. R. Batchelor, R. G. D. Oldham, Cox—J. B. Littlefield.

Cc1ts VIII P. A. E. Challis, A. J. Sargent, T. M. Bloom, M. S. Ray, S. K. Grant, A. T. Vickers, A. R. Hornby, S. J. Warren, J. R. Woodcock, Cox—J. P. Terry.

"NOW I'D LIKE TWO OR THREE DAYS IN BED . . ."

Oxford to Westminster Row-14th and 15th April, 1971

The idea was born in the Christmas term and boosted by the York 19th Centenary celebrations, in which it was felt that we might do a spot of flag flying in the south. Sponsorship for the row had priority, money for equipment and in particular for sculling boats being the aim. Each crew member (there were too many enthusiasts for a single '8' and reserves were wanted) made his own bid for backing in the three weeks holiday at home, during which he also kept to a fitness programme. Joint coaches, Mr. Duncan and Mr. Du Croz worked on firms in the York district and raised much interest from the Press. The crew was Carson, Hamshaw, Morley, Lawrence, Slater, Bell, Atkinson, Turton, Taylor, Steadman, Fry, and coxes Sherris and Terry. 29

The minibus with Celia in tow left school on the morning of 13th April and arrived in Oxford at 4 p.m. to drop off bedding at St. Edward's School cricket pavilion and rendezvous at Christ Church with Mr. Du Croz. Track-suited in the spring sunshine we launched from the University boathouse (a tear shed for Oxford's Italian built craft dormant

in the sheds). Twenty minutes on the water and then the reception of

`George' at the House boathouse, who settled Celia for the night. All was well and we relaxed on prime food in the comfortable eating lounges of the Golden Cross.

The row was in six stages : Oxford to Wallingford, Wallingford to

Caversham, Caversham to Marlow (DAY ONE). Marlow to Staines, Staines to Twickenham, Twickenham to Westminster (DAY TWO). Early

starts were the order of the day. We were awakened at 5.30 a.m. to rustling Complan packets; a sense of foreboding uncertainty in the fine

morning light as we got into rowing gear and packed polythene-protected reserves of clothing. The porter slid us by the side gate into the Meadows;

Celia was launched and the Press photographed. 6.40 a.m. and off ! the support party already running for the first lock gates (no locks are manned before nine and swinging those gates by hand is like pulling a thousand pints of beer). Iffley was the first of a total of 33 and we entered nervously. If the fears of the rowers were soon dispersed by the various charms of each lock setting, the reserves were quick to learn the arduousness of each crucial lock rendezvous, counting the seconds to swing the crew through and replenish fluid sweated out on the water. After 7 locks and a chill wind, the end of the first four hour shift was near. R.A.F. Wallingford's jetty served for the pull-in and the crew could

relax and breakfast on cheese, hot lemon and the brick-like Mapleton

Fruit Bars which were to become famous during the row. Each main stop lasted about an hour, diminishing slightly the second day as stiffness threatened to interfere with rhythm. During the break there was much discussion as to the best technique to adopt because the first section had proved too tiring and morale was low. This was put down to lack of concentration and the high rating of 26. We had learnt that if we were to keep our energy we must hold a rating of around 15. We knew now

what was involved.

We left in high spirits to row the next 17 miles; a stretch particularly

beautiful, through valley gaps and plains, silent except for the oars on

the water and the sounds of moorhens, ducks and swans, soon familiar.

As each lock was approached, we could hear the thunder of water cascading down the weir steps. There was a never-ending number of things to look at. This section took in the Pangbourne reach where the National Schools event takes place annually. The last section of it was extremely exhausting, the Reading Head of the River course, but Caversham was reached at approx 4.30 and we had our lunch of sardines, bread, tea, lemon and Guinness. Our first day's objective was now only 17 miles distant. A style and rhythm had been found and after a short

rest we resumed our 8" by 4" seats.

This row was particularly pleasing as the boat travelled quickly and we reeled the miles away. Henley with its beautiful regatta reach slid past with slanting sunlight on riverside lawns and noble trees, and with it the 50 mile mark. Moments like these made one glad to be rowing, past the last lock gates of Temple Lock and into Marlow in the dusk. Eighteen locks were passed and the half way stage reached as we accepted 30

the hospitality of Marlow R.C. and berthed Celia. We passed the night at Sir William Borlase's School after a very late and expensive meal at the Anchor Inn in town. Grateful of hot showers, we collapsed into bed; a classroom floor, but who cared? Oxford seemed already a remote memory.

Unforgettable Thursday saw us awake and breakfasting on Complan shortly after 5.30. An hour later the first twenty strokes took us to Marlow lock. The first section was 25 miles and perhaps the most beautiful of all as the early morning mist hung over the river. We passed Eton and the splendid sight of Windsor Castle. At Boulters Lock half the crew had to step out and work the gates by very lowgeared handles. Staines was to be our breakfast stop and when we arrived everyone was surprised at how quickly the journey had gone. Breakfast was eaten while basking in glorious sunshine on the riverside lawn of Staines R.C. but the stop was a short one as we had to be on the tideway in order to have the current with us for the last reach. Timing was becoming critical.

Twickenham R.C. was to be the next stop and so with a new combination of crew members (indeed, at every staging point the crew in the bows was switched) we started on the 19 mile stretch of outer London suburbia. This row was by far the best, with the boat easily balanced and running smoothly, and it was also the hottest, the temperature being very near to 70°F. In one reach we had a short sprint to the next lock with a hire cruiser and beat it! At each lock the procedure was to down as much drink as possible and so moisten one's handfuls of `scroggin' (a family Duncan concoction of chocolate, mint, nuts and dried fruit ad-libbed to instil maximum calories). Salt tablets had been unanimously discarded by this stage, though were taken earlier.

At Twickenham, tired we knew the goal was near. The last of the locks was passed at Teddington (the Richmond lock is only used at low water) and we now had an open stretch of 17 miles to row. Firmly resolved, the last crew assembles after their Guinness and sandwiches; the Pirelli inflatable is manned by Mr. Du Croz, petrol an uncertain factor. The water is sinking fast and we must hold the ebb for the whole distance if we are not to compete with six knots of tidal flood. There is some nervousness as we settle into the now familiar stride. The river widens noticeably; we feel the change of tide now firmly established as the stages of the Boat Race course move by. This was the climax of our journey. As we passed under Putney Bridge the surface of the water, which had been flat calm, suddenly became rough and dangerous and Celia began to ship water. Most of us became soaked but calmer water was to be found nearer the bank. When we looked across from one side of the river to the other, the vastness of the river compared with our home stretch on the Ouse was frightening. Somewhere ahead the support party must be arranging for the landing.

Daylight was coming to an end, heightening the tension as we forged ahead. Coasters were moving out in large washes down the half ebb. Would we make it by dark? At last Big Ben and our destination, Westminster Bridge, could be seen. In the last few strokes, our victorious feelings were brusquely interrupted by the shouts of the shore crew from the bridge. We were being warned off the inside arch where the sluicing current and a tumbling under-eddy made fatally dangerous conditions 31