Rowing

The Christmas term continued the pattern set up last year. As a fulltime activity a number of sixth-formers were doing sculling, and fifthand fourth-formers had a twice weekly rowing option. All third forms had a three-week package tour of the Club on Saturday afternoons; the final shift was too unpleasant climatically to get anywhere. Principal excitement was the new "Jollyon Smith Sculls", raced on Saturday, 18th November over a course from the Boathouse to Lendal and back (using a rounding mark under Lendal Bridge); a very taxing 12-minute course, calling for strategy as well as technique. William Mcllroy won the handsome cup presented by Mrs. Smith and took home also a personal trophy. Mcllroy was still technically a junior colt (under 16), which makes his victory the more remarkable; he had notched up 14 miles in one training outing. Martin Tree was the other finalist. Sadly, Philip Challis, Captain of Boats and likely finalist, capsized from a leading position in the semi-final—in freezing conditions! The standard of sculling was encouragingly high.

This event was timed to happen alongside another "first", the opening meeting of our Supporters Club, when 17 families met for sherry and lunch at the School, appropriately enough in the Rhodes Room, which has become a sort of Club H.Q. Since then we've been gratefully conscious of much tangible support. Among other things there was a coffee morning at Mrs. Davidson's home in January and a second gathering at School for the Yorkshire Head of the River on 10th March, when 18 families were represented and many of them lunched with Mr. and Mrs. Du Croz in Westminster Road. This was also the occasion of the launching of the St. Peter's Boat Club Draw—a lottery membership of 200 being the intention, to run for one year; three prizes of £100 to be drawn on the sixth and twelfth months and three of £5, i10 and £15 in each month ordinarily. Dr. G. E. L. Graham is acting as Secretary; we take off our hat (or dip a blade) to him!

On 10th March the 1st IV rowed over seventh out of 12 entries in the Fine Fours; a rough but determined row for this first venture into club fours competition. Durham School were the only other school entry and beat us by 51 secs.: our time 21.08 mins. The 2nd IV came second in the Schools Fours, 10 seconds behind Bradford G.S.: our time 14.43. Our cox was steering his first race. McIlroy sculled over seventh out of 13, beating his only other school rivals (three boys from Bradford G.S.) in what was a poor time for him. But best of all was the Colts VIII, equalling York University and beating all University "B" crews: position 1 1 th out of 19, time 19.48.

One week later at Tyne the 2nd IV won the Junior Division of restricted fours, coming fourth in a field of 22 boats and first out of 12 junior crews. The 1st IV were seventh out of nine in the open field of Fine Fours, but second (again to Durham; distance slightly narrowed since York) in the four Junior entries.

These were all our competitive events and it remains to mention the Junior Colts who have rowed since the end of February. With last term also behind them, they look strong contenders for this season. We have all profited from having bought two sectional fours since last July; one fine shell and one lightweight clinker construction. We've also been 41