EERC Regatta 1924

Transcript

Fine weather, for the most part, favoured the annual regatta of the Eton Excelsior R.C. (the oldest up-river club, it having been founded in the year 1851), which was held on Saturday on the Reach above Windsor Bridge. The Eton College authorities kindly lent their commodious boat premises to the executive, and the raft used as a subscribers’ enclosure, while the dressing rooms were also available. The Eton College B.C. fast motor boat, Etona, was used for umpiring purposes.

There was a good attendance of subscribers and friends of the Club, and a long and interesting programme was carried through successfully. The racing was keen, and there were some excellent finishes.

A very smart junior crew represented Evesham R.C. in the open four-oar race, and they defeated the Eton Excelsior Four rather easily. In the Open Maiden Four-oar event, the Eton Excelsior were seen to advantage, and they beat the Maidenhead crew by over two lengths after a capital race. The final of the Senior Sculls resulted in a splendid race, V. H. Hobbs winning by half-a-length only from M. R. Burgoyne, who, in turn defeated G. A. Gould by a length-and-a-half for second place. G. W. Bayley won the Junior Sculls and also the Handicap Sculls, and he is a very promising sculler. The Open Double-Sculling race, with lady cox, was won by the Staines pair, by a narrow margin after a capital set-to with the Eton Excelsior representatives.

The other races were well contested, the Scratch Eights, as usual, producing some splendid struggles. In the second heat of the Double Canoe race, J. W. Croft was seized with cramp after capsizing, and Mr. F. L. P. Webb at once plunged in from the raft and swam to his assistance. He got Croft into a boat, and he soon recovered. The course for the various events was as usual.

The President (Sir George Peters) and Lady Peters were among those present during the afternoon. The Captain (Mr. A. H. Baker) superintended the arrangements, and the Hon. Sec. (Mr. J. W. Tull), Assistant Hon. Sec. (Mr. T. Luff), with the help of Mr. T. South, worked hard during the afternoon in carrying through the Secretarial work. The officials were as follows: Starters and Umpires – Messrs. L. F. Blane, S. Blane, A. H. Baker, W. Hope-Jones, S. G. Moss, and F. Wilkinson. Judges – Messrs. A. E. Barber, T. Boswell, C. F. Brunsdon, T. J. Cartland, F. L. Ellen, H. J. Hetherington, S. Herbert, and F. G. Saunders. Clerks of the Course – Messrs. B. N. Bettridge, L. W. S. Howard, A. F. Hobbs, S. E. Little, C. McDonald, T. South, C. D. Smith, and the Committee. Captain – Mr. H. A. Baker; Vice-Captain – Mr. V. H. Hobbs; Treasurer – Mr. R. H. Edridge. Auditors – Messrs. A. H. Dyson and M. Lightfoot.

At the conclusion of the programme Lady Peters presented the handsome prizes to the successful competitors, and Master R. V. Husted presented her with a handsome bouquet from the Club.
The CAPTAIN (Mr. H. A. Baker), in thanking Lady Peters on behalf of the Club, said they were also indebted to a number of people who kindly attended the regatta and gave encouragement to the members; to the subscribers and those who presented the prizes; and to the Eton Brocas Boat Company for kindly loaning their premises and the fast launch Etona for umpiring purposes.

The staff had also helped them in every possible way. He thanked Sir George and Lady Peters for their attendance, and hoped that all had derived enjoyment from the regatta during the afternoon (applause).
LADY PETERS thanked the Club for their kind vote, which she very much appreciated. They all knew, she said, that Sir George and herself took the greatest interest in the Club, and they had done what they could for it. They hoped to always do so, and it was a great pleasure to them to come down that afternoon to witness their excellent regatta (applause).

Sir GEORGE PETERS also returned thanks, and congratulated the Club upon providing such an excellent afternoon’s sport. As President, he was extremely proud of the Club, and both Lady Peters and himself would always do all they could for it (applause).

On the call of the CAPTAIN, three hearty cheers were given for Lady Peters.
Mr. T. Kendall’s string band played a pleasing selection of music during the afternoon. Teas were served at the Club’s Headquarters, the Bridge House Hotel.

The events resulted as follows:-

PAIR-OAR OUTRIGGERS

For the Husted Challenge Cup

Final: J. W. Croft and W. Dowsett, rowed over.

CLUB FOUR-OAR RACE

For Challenge Cup

First Heat: Bucks Station: G. Newton (bow), A. J. Merson, V. J. Pottow, J. W. Croft (stroke), R. F. C. Wheeler (cox), (1); Berks Station: C. L. Andrews (bow), A. Bellringer, H. Luff, D. B. King (stroke), R. V. Husted (cox), (2). Won by a length.

Second Heat: Berks: R. C. Mills (bow), T. Luff, R. J. Box, H. Kendall (stroke), J. G. White (cox), (1): Bucks: F. L. P. Webb (bow), G. W. Bayley, H. W. Mayo, V. H. Hobbs (stroke), A. Purser (cox), (2). Won by one and a half lengths.

Final: Berks: H. Kendall’s crew, (1): Bucks: J. W. Croft’s crew, (2). Good race: won by three-quarters of a length.

JUNIOR SCULLS

For Silver Challenge Sculls ~ prize presented by Lady Peters

First Heat: Bucks: D. B. King, (1); Berks: A. J. Merson, (2). Won easily.

Second Heat: Berks: G. W. Bayley, (1); Bucks: N. A. Bradley, (2). Won by three lengths.

Final: Berks: G. W. Bayley, (1); D. B. King, disq. Bayley won on a foul. King passed the winning post three lengths ahead.

SENIOR SCULLS

For Challenge Cup ~ prize presented by Sir George Peters

Final: Berks: V. H. Hobbs, (1); Centre: M. R. Burgoyne, (2); Bucks: G. A. Gould, (3). Splendid race; won by half-a-length, one and a half lengths between second and third.

DOUBLE CANOE RACE

Prize presented by Lieut. Colonel J. T. Halligan

First Heat: Berks: J. G. White and L. G. Robertson, (1); Bucks: C. L. Andrews and R. V. Husted, (2); Centre: H. Kendall and A. Bellringer, (3). Won by two lengths.

Second Heat: Bucks: V. H. Hobbs and F. L. P. Webb, (1); Centre: A. Purser and J. W. Croft, (2); Berks: D. B. King and H. W. Mayo, (0). Won easily. Croft and Purser upset their canoe at the winning post, and Croft was seized with cramp. F. L. P. Webb at once swam to the rescue, and successfully got Croft into a boat.

Final: Centre: V. H. Hobbs and F. L. P. Webb, (1); Bucks: J. G. White and L. G. Robertson, (2); Berks: V. J. Pottow and R. J. Box. Won by a length. Pottow and Box capsized.

PAIR-OAR GIG RACE

For the Richardson Gardner Challenge Cups

Final: Bucks: R. C. Mills, G. Newton, L. G. Robertson (cox), (1); Berks: F. L. P. Webb, H. W. Mayo, R. V. Husted (cox), (2); Centre: G. W Bayley, J. W. Scott, J. W. Tull (cox), (3). Splendid race, won by inches.

OPEN JUNIOR FOURS

For the Ruthven Challenge Cup

This Cup was presented by Lord Ruthven, and re-presented by the Eton Excelsior Rowing Club in 1893, to be competed for annually.

First Heat: Berks: Eton Excelsior R.C. C. L. Andrews, L. Barratt, R. J. Box, H. Kendall (stroke), R. F. C. Wheeler (cox), (1); Bucks: Reading R.C. L. Travers, G. Grey, F. J. Morgan, R. Downing (stroke), A. Ilsley (cox), (2). Good race; won by three-quarters of a length.

Final: Bucks: Evesham R.C. F. C. Brotherton, A. C. Barnard, P. W. Boulton, H. E. Fletcher (stroke), Gill Meadows (cox), (1); Berks: Eton Excelsior R.C., (2). Evesham proved a very smart four, and won by three lengths.

OPEN DOUBLE SCULLING

(Lady cox) for the Wakefield Challenge Cup

Final: Centre: Staines: C. F. Tims, D. J. Cartledge, Mrs. Cartledge (cox), (1); Bucks: Maidenhead: J. G. Barley, W. Boulton, Mrs. Batt-Rawden (cox), (2); Berks: E.E.R.C. J. W. Croft, W. Dowsett, Miss Shuck (cox), (3). Good race; won by a quarter of a length.

OPEN MAIDEN FOUR-OAR RACE

For Challenge Cup presented by Mr. A. Jacobs and presentation prizes)

First Heat: Bucks: Eton Excelsior R.C. W. Brown, L. G. Robertson, R. C. Mills, L. Barratt (stroke), R. V. Husted (cox), (1): Berks: Reading R.C. E. F. B. Burnes, R. E. Belcher, W. F. Fuller, H. P. Austin (stroke), A. Ilsley (cox), (2). Won by three-quarters of a length.

Final: Berks: Eton Excelsior R.C., (1); Bucks: Maidenhead R.C. F. Smith, N. Colley, W. Bartlett, F. Stuchbery (stroke), H. Tessien (cox), (2). It was an excellent race to the Railway Bridge, when the Excelsior, well stroked by Barratt, went away and won comfortably by two and a half lengths.

HANDICAP SCULLS

For the Wise Challenge Cup ~ prizes presented by Mr. R. Cross and Club

Final: G. W. Bayley (15 secs.), (1); N. A. Bradley (40 secs.), (2); C. D. Dyson (30 secs.), (3); D. B. King (8 secs.), (4); V. H. Hobbs (5 secs.), (5); M. R. Burgoyne (5 secs.), (6); G. A. Gould (scratch), (7); A. J. Merson (90 secs.), (8). Bayley gained a popular victory by three lengths; good third. Winner’s time, 10 min. 11 secs.

SCRATCH DONGOLAS

First Heat: Bucks: A. Purser, F. L. P. Webb, C. D. Dyson, G. W. Bayley, R. Wheeler, (1); Berks: G. Newton, W. Pottow, A. J. Merson, H. M. Abbett, M. R. Burgoyne, (2): Centre: D. R. Dack, G. G. Shuck, R. C. Mills, H. Kendall, L. W. S. Howard, (3). Won easily.

Second Heat: Berks: A. Bellringer, N. A. Bradley, L. G. Robertson, V. H. Hobbs, H. Long, (1); Centre: J. C. White, H. Luff, G. A. Gould, H. W. Mayo, C. L. Andrews, (2); Bucks: V. J. Pottow, R. V. Husted, C. Howlett, R. J. Box, D. B. King, (3). Won easily.

Final: Bucks: Winner of Heat II., (1) Berks: Winner of Heat I, (2). Won easily.

SCRATCH EIGHTS

Heat 1: Bucks: F. L. P. Webb, W. Bennett, N. A. Bradley, H. P. Austin, V. J. Pottow, L. W. S. Howard, D. B. King, C. Dyson (stroke), R. Wheeler (cox), (1); Berks: A. J. Merson, G. A. Gould, G. G. Shuck, H. Luff, T. Luff, D. R. Dack, – Travers, V. H. Hobbs (stroke), R. V. Husted (cox), (2). Splendid race; won by a quarter of a length.

Heat 2: Berks: A. Purser, A. Bellringer, J. W. Croft, S. Gray, G. W. Bayley, J. C. Jackson, G. Newton, L. Barratt (stroke), C. Howlett (cox); (1); Bucks: M. P. Burgoyne, S. Blane, C. L. Andrews, W. Pottow, R. E. Belcher, P. H. Forbes, C. Smith, H. Kendall (stroke), J. G. White (cox), (2). Won by one and a quarter lengths.

Final: Bucks: L. Barratt’s crew, (1); Berks: C. Dyson’s crew, (2). Fine race, won by a quarter of a length.

WINNERS OF CLUB RACES, 1924

Trial Junior Four-Oar Race for the Devereux Challenge Cup:
R. F. C. Wheeler, A. J. Merson, L. G. Robertson, H. Kendall.

Robert William King Cup (Open Fours): A. J. Merson, H. W. Mayo, V. J. Pottow. J. Youhill, J. G. White.

Swimming Race for the Herbert Challenge Cup: L. G. Robertson.

Club Monthly Fours: L. G. Robertson, N. A. Bradley, H. Luff, M. R. Burgoyne, R. F. C. Wheeler.

WINDSOR V. ETON EIGHT-OAR RACE (for the Peters Challenge Cup)
Eton: R. G. King (bow), R. F. C. Wheeler, R. C. Mills, L. G. Robertson, R. J. Box, L. Barratt, F. L. P. Webb, D. B. King (stroke), J. G. White (cox): Windsor: W. G. Brown (bow), A. J. Merson, C. L. Andrews, C. D. Dyson, A. Bellringer, J. W. Croft, H. Luff, H. Kendall (stroke), M. R. Burgoyne (cox), (2).

Presentation to Mr. V. J. Pottow.

At the conclusion of the regatta some forty members and friends sat down to an excellent supper at the Bridge House Hotel. During the evening the Captain (Mr. H. A. BAKER), in a few well-chosen words, asked one of the members, Mr. V. J. Pottow, to accept a little present from the members of the Club on the occasion of his forthcoming marriage, and said he hoped Mr. Pottow would continue to be an active member of the Club for many years to come.

Mr. POTTOW, in accepting the gift, said he hardly knew how to thank the members sufficiently enough for their kind thought, and said although he was getting married he still hoped to continue as an active member.
The latter part of the evening was devoted to music, and songs were excellently rendered by Mr. P. H. Forbes, Mr. V. H. Hobbs, Capt. Flatman Mr. Hugh Kendall, and others.

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