Fine Eight-Oar Race for The Peters Cup 1925

Transcript

Rowing: Windsor v Eton

The suggestion made by Sir G. H. Peters, when presenting his Challenge Cup last year, “that the race should be rowed on a Saturday afternoon next year,” proved a great success, and the Committee of the Eton Excelsior Rowing Club intend to make this a permanent fixture.

The weather was beautifully fine, and a splendid race was witnessed, with Windsor winning by four feet. The course was kept very clear, and seeing that it was Windsor Races, this was very satisfactory. A full course from Clewer Point to Firework Eyot was rowed. Sir George started the race shortly after 3.30 p.m.

Both crews got off well and kept together for a long while. Near the Etonian Club Windsor held about a three-quarter length lead, but a fine spurt by Eton reduced this, and a ding-dong race resulted down the Brocas. In a splendid finish Windsor just got the verdict by four feet.

The success of the Windsor crew was more creditable, as the Eton crew is getting stronger on each occasion. This time they were able to include V. J. Pottow, who for many years has held the Windsor qualification. The Eton crew show great promise and includes several promising oarsmen. The Windsor boat included several new members, but for the most part are now well-known members of the Club, to which they have given excellent service. It was a pleasure to see S. Blane again rowing, and his return to this locality would be welcomed by the Club.

The race was umpired by Sir G. H. Peters from the motor launch Welbeck (kindly lent by Councillor A. Jacobs). He was accompanied by his son, Mr. R. H. Peters, Miss I. Peters and Master G. Peters (his grandchildren), Mr. A. H. Baker (captain) and Mrs. Baker, Mr. T. J. Cartland (hon. treasurer), and Mr. T. Boswell, who acted as Clerk of the Course. Mr. T. South and Mr. H. Luff acted as clerks of the course on the towing path, Mr. T. Luff as judge, and Mr. J. W. Tull carried out all the secretarial duties with his usual ability.

A large number of people witnessed the race on both the river and its banks. The Committee are indebted to Eton College Authorities for the loan of the fixed-seat eights for the race, to Councillor A. Jacobs for the Welbeck, the use of which was very much appreciated by all, and to Mr. Odell for his valuable assistance at the College rafts. The river public must also be thanked for keeping the course so clear and so preventing the race from being spoilt.

After the race, Sir G. H. Peters presented the cup to V. H. Hobbs, the stroke of the winning crew, at the Club Boat House.

Before the presentation, the CAPTAIN (Mr. A. H. Baker) thanked Sir George for his great interest in the Club and this race, and assured him that it was very much appreciated by all the members. He was glad that the suggestion made by their President last year had been carried into effect, and he was sure it would become a regular fixture.

Sir George PETERS said he was only too pleased to help the Eton Excelsior Club in any way, and he always followed their races with great interest. He had kept a record of the finishes of this race in particular, and for the last three years they had all been very close, which showed that the composition of the crews was very equal, and always provided a good finish and a race worth watching.

The cup was then filled, and Sir George proposed the health of the Eton Excelsior R.C. and the two crews of that day.

Mr. T. BOSWELL said that it was always a pleasure for the old members to come amongst the present ones.

Mr. T. J. CARTLAND remarked that Windsor had won by “four feet,” so Eton had “forfeited’? (‘four-feet-ed‘) the cup this year.

The VICE-CAPTAIN of the Club (V. H. Hobbs) and stroke of the winning crew then called for three cheers for the President, which were given in a very hearty manner.
Sir GEORGE, in response, said he was pleased to note that although they had had a hard race, it had in no way affected their vocal powers.

It is interesting to note that the Cup was presented in 1889, and first rowed for in 1890, when Eton won, their crew being: H. R. Taylor (bow), W. W. B. Hill, F. Halliday, W. G. Clark, G. Dugdale, E. Willis, W. L. Herbert, F. Wilkinson (stroke), L. Hill (cox).

The crews for this year’s race were as follows:-

Windsor (Berks Station): A. J. Merson (bow), H. E. F. Saunders, C. Frost, C. D. Dyson, S. Blane, G. Newton, J. W. Croft, V. H. Hobbs (str.), A. H. Clelland (cox).

Eton (Bucks Station): C. L. Andrews (bow), L. Barratt, R. F. C. Wheller, D. L. Andrews, R. C. Mills, V. J. Pottow, H. J. Matthews, D. B. King (str.), J. G. White (cox).

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