EERC Regatta 1938

Transcript

RECORD ENTRIES IN A RECORD YEAR

Grand Finale to a Successful Season

After a season in which Eton Excelsior Rowing Club has earned a reputation among river clubs up and down the Thames, which has never been equalled by them before, it was not surprising that on Saturday there was a record entry for the eighty-seventh annual regatta.  All that was wanted to make the occasion a red-letter day in the annals of the oldest up-river club, was a fine day.  This was enjoyed, except for one short interval of a few minutes during which a few spots of rain fell.  The organizers are to be complimented on the organization.  There was not a hitch and the end came within reasonable distance of the scheduled time, leaving the way clear for the regatta dance which followed, at the Castle Hotel.

The regatta, as usual, took place from the Eton College boathouse premises, placed at the disposal of the Club by the College authorities; this is a privilege enjoyed for many years.  The officials of the club, and members of the College staff worked with amazing energy to produce that rhythm which counts for much.

The entries topped those of any previous year and came from Marlow, Mortlake, Henley, Maidenhead, Reading, Quintin, Wraysbury and Worcester Union.

Some fine racing was witnessed, a number of heats producing some thrilling struggles in which the result depended on the last pull.  This was seen in the Open Maiden Four-Oar race, where Eton Excelsior, in the final, just got home by 1 ft. from Henley R.C., to win the Jacobs Challenge Cup.

In the first heat of the Junior Four-Oar race the Excelsior crew had to row hard against Quinton (sic), and here again only 1 ft. secured the verdict of the judge.  Marlow, in their heat, beat Worcester Union comfortably, but the losers a blind crew were given a special ovation for their plucky display against a crew which proved the eventual winners.  Henley, giving a particularly good account of themselves, won the Ruthven Challenge Cup from Excelsior in the final by a length and a half.

B. J. Cork won the Wise Challenge Cup for the handicap sculls, the points cup is held jointly by R. Cork and P. Watson, the junior sculls went to P. Watson, coxswains sculls to B. J. Cork and the senior sculls to R. J. Cork.

As is not uncommon, the Scratch Fours produced some of the best sport of the day and a large number of entries set the officials a big task in arranging the many heats.  Race followed race in quick succession and in one instance a win by 1 ft. and in another by 3 ft. showed how well the draw for the crews worked out.

The Wraysbury Club is making very good headway and from it crews won both the Wakefield Memorial Challenge Cup for the Gentlemen’s Double-Sculling (with lady cox), and the Mixed Doubling Sculling events, no mean achievement seeing the strong company in which they appeared.

On both the Windsor and Eton banks of the river there were hundreds of spectators, who had a good view of all that was going on and to add to the enjoyment Messrs. Fenemore, Howlett and Co. Ltd. provided excellent music from their Marconi sound equipment, which served also to announce clearly the results of the races as they were concluded.

There was no more enthusiastic a helper and spectator than the popular president (Mr. A. H. Dyson) and from early on the Mayor (Mrs. Carteret Carey) favoured the meeting with her presence.

While all the officials deserve thanks for their work, a special tribute is due to the hon. secretary of the Club (Mr. C. D. Dyson), the hon. treasurer (Mr. A. Bellringer), the hon. Regatta Secretaries (Messrs. C. D. Dyson and P. Watson), the captain (Mr. V. H. Hobbs), vice-captain (Mr. F. W. Buck), deputy-captain (Mr. V. A. C. Wood) and the committee.

The officials were: Umpires: Mr. C. L. Andrews (M.R.C.), Mr. E. M. Hall (M.R.C.), Mr. H. L. Huggins (S.B.C.) and Mr. V. H. Hobbs (E.E.R.C.). Starter: Mr. T. Boswell. Judges: Mr. B. N. Betteridge and Mr. F. W. Wilkinson. Raft and Competitors’ Stewards: Mr. H. Brooks, Mr. A. T. Watson and Mr. H. G. Prescott. Secretaries’ Office: Mr. A. Bellringer and Mr. F. W. Buck. Launch Steward: Mr. H. J. Cork.

The Prize Distribution

There was a large attendance at the concluding ceremony when the Mayor (Mrs-Carteret Carey) handed the prizes to the winners.

Mr. C. D. Dyson introduced Mrs. Carteret Carey whom he described as “our wonderful Mayor”.  He congratulated her on having spent the afternoon and evening with them, and said how much her presence had been appreciated by the members and visitors.  He thanked all the stewards, all the officials, the committee, the donors of prizes and subscribers, and Mr. Claret and his men, who had worked so hard throughout the day.

Before the Mayor presented the awards she was handed a bouquet from the members of the Club by Miss Patricia, Hobbs, daughter of the captain of the Eton Excelsior R.C.

Mr. V. H. Hobbs thanked the Mayor for her attendance and for giving away the prizes, especially in view of the busy time she had experienced during her year of office.  He called for three cheers and they were heartily accorded.

The Mayor congratulated the Club.  The day was one she had enjoyed very much.  The organization of the regatta had been wonderful “Anything to do with sport interests me very much“, she said.  One thing had amused her tremendously; that was when Peter Watson and his companion went into the water.  She thanked the company for the reception they had given her.

The Prize List

The prize list is as follows:

Open Maiden Four-Oar

For the “Jacobs” Challenge Cup and Presentation Prizes.

Heat 1: 1 Henley R.C. W. Clarke (bow), G. Lovell, A. J. Bennett, D. Jones (stroke), and P. J. Reade cox, (Bucks); 2, Reading R.C. F. Povey (bow), J. C. Blackmore, R. J. Griffen, A. G. Towndrow (stroke), and B. D. Walters (cox), (Berks).

Two lengths; time, 4 min. 34 sec.

Heat 2: 1, Eton Excelsior R.C. E. Chasty (bow), B. J. Cork, T. G. Hill, F. C. Brunsden (stroke) and J. Randall (cox), (Berks): 2, Maidenhead R.C. W. R. Brown (bow), P. P. Aspinall, R. Kimber, R. Attwood (stroke), and F. H. Burgess (cox), (Bucks).

Easily time, 4 min. 22 sec.

Final: 1, Eton Excelsior R.C.; 2, Henley R.C..  Most exciting race, Eton winning on the last pull by 1 ft.

Open Junior Four-Oar

For the “Ruthven” Challenge Cup and Presentation Prizes.

Heat 1: Eton Excelsior: T. J. Marrs (bow), J. Lawson, J. J. Sowerby, G. C. Morgan (stroke) and T. J. Jones (cox) (Bucks); 2, Quintin: M. Purser (bow), S. Hill, W. Hancock, P. Warren (stroke), and T. Lea Rayner (cox) (Berks).

Won by a foot; time, 3 min. 45 sec.

Heat 2: 1, Marlow R.C. T. A. Tibbetts (bow), D. G. Grimmett, C. I. Oaten, P. C. Mogford (stroke) and F. G. Secker (cox) (Bucks); 2, Worcester, Union B.C. J. D. Dawlings (bow), R. H. Pettifer, E. Leary, R. J. Randall (stroke) and D. J. Cordwell (cox) (Berks).

Won easily; time, 4 min. 4 sec.

Final: 1, Marlow R.C.; 2, Eton Excelsior R.C.

One and a half lengths time, 4 min. 4 sec.

Handicap Sculls

For the “Wise” Challenge Cup.

1, B. J. Cork; 2, R. J. Cork; 3, A. G. Blake; 4. R. Watson; 5. D. S. Harrison 6, A. G. Sharratt 7, P. Fitzgerald 8, R. Bodilly.  A close finish, handicapping good.

Gents’ Invitation Double-Sculling. (lady cox)

For the “Wakefield” Memorial Challenge Cup and Presentation Prizes.

Heat 1: 1, A. G. Blake, R. J. Cork and Miss E. B. Cork (Bucks); 2, R. Luddington, A. W. Currie and Miss O. Cogger (Berks).  One foot.

Heat 2: 1, V. A. C. Wood, N. Miroy and Miss B. Poulton (Bucks); 2, D. J. Cordwell, J. A. R. Clark and Miss G. Harrison (Berks).  One length.

Heat 3: 1, A. O. Gofton-Salmond, H. W. Gibbs, and Mrs. Gibbs (Bucks); 2, L. D. Habbitts, S. W. Latham and Mrs. Latham (Berks).  Quarter of a length.

Heat 4: 1, A. G. Blake, R. J. Cork and Miss E. B. Cork (Bucks); 2, R. J. Tucker, R. L. Sugden and Miss Herries (Berks).  Half a length.

Heat 5: 1, V. А. С. Wood, N. Miroy and Miss B. Poulton (Berks); 2, A. O. Gofton-Salmond, H. W. Gibbs and Mrs. Gibbs (Bucks).  Half a length.

Final: 1, Heat 2 winners; 2, Heat 1 winners.

Mixed Double Sculling

Heat 1: 1, Miss G. A. Harrison, A. W. Currie and Miss D. Cogger (Bucks); 2, Miss Yates, H. G. Secker and Miss V. Bodilly.  Two lengths.

Heat 2: 1, Miss Broughton, A. O. Gofton-Salmond and Miss B. Poulton (Bucks), 2-Miss Laird, A. Sharratt and Miss J. M. Harring, ton (Berks).  Easily.

Final: 1, Heat 2 winners; 2, Heat 1 winners.  Half a length.

Mixed Dinghy

Heat 1: 1, Miss Yates and S. Latham (Bucks); 2, Miss Laird and G. Bayley (Centre); 3, Miss Keith and P. Watson (Berks).

Heat 2: 1, Miss Clark and L. D. Habbitss (Centre); 2, Mrs. Carr and A. Peace (Bucks).

Heat 3: 1, Mrs. Gibbs and W. Gibbs (Berks); 2, Miss Cork and H. O. C. Boret (Bucks); 3, Mrs. Boret and D. S. Harrison (Centre).

Final: 1, Mrs. Gibbs and W. Gibbs; 2, Miss Clark and L. D. Habbitts; 3, Miss Yates and S. Latham.

Men’s Dongolas

Heat 1: H. Brooks, F. C. Brunsdon, D. Bond, B. J. Cork and G. Bayley (Bucks); 2, P. Watson, A. G. Hill, J. White, E. Watson and D. G. Grimmett (Berks).

Heat 2: 1, R. Bennett, V. A. C. Wood, D. Harrison, A. Woodley and S. Latham (Berks); 2, G. Secker, V. H. Hobbs, C. D. Dyson, M. A. Smart and A. Sharratt (Bucks).

Final: 1, Heat 1 winners; 2, Heat 2 winners.

Ladies’ Dinghy

Heat 1: 1, Miss Funnell and Miss Harrington (Centre); 2, Miss Laird and Miss Yates (Berks); 3, Miss K. Saunders and Miss J. Fox (Bucks).

Heat 2: 1, the Misses Stibbs (Centre); 2, Miss Clark and Mrs. Carr (Berks); 3, Miss Cork and Miss Shepherd (Bucks).

Final: 1, the Misses Stibbs (Berks); 2, Miss Funnell and Miss Harrington (Bucks).

Canoe

Heat 1: 1, H. Brooks and F. Hodgson (Bucks); 2, A. G. Hill and P. Harrison (Centre); 3, P. Watson and A. Currie (Berks).

Heat 2: 1, V. A. C. Wood and D. Harrison.

Final: 1, V. A. C. Wood and D. Harrison (Bucks); 2, H. Brooks and F. Hodgson (Centre).

Ladies’ Dongola

Final: 1: Miss Harrington, Miss Clark, Miss Shepherd, Mrs. Carr, Miss Martin and Miss Cork (Bucks); 2, Miss Laird, Mrs. Gibbs, Miss Yates, Miss Harrison, Miss Funnell and Mrs. Street (Berks).

Scratch Fours

Heat 1: 1, E. T. Watson, R. A. Derry, A. J. Hill, A. Towndrow and C. Secker (Berks), 2, P. Warren, W. Handcock, H. J. Mossman, W. Frazer and F. Secker (Bucks).  Half a length.

Heat 2: 1, P. Watson, J. Hutchings, D. J. Cordwell, D. G. Grimmett and T. Jones (Berks); 2, D. W. Dunstall, Huckles, J. Blackmore, J. White and O. Furnival (Bucks).  Easily.

Heat 3: 1, J. B. Ashby, C. Windebank, S. Latham, A. Woodley and A. Peace (Bucks); 2, J. R. Randall, V. A. C. Wood, P. Fitzgerald, M. J. Purser and G. Crabb (Berks).  Two lengths.

Heat 4: 1, Tibbetts, L. D. Habbitts, A. W. Currie, A. O. Gofton-Salmoud and J. T. Marrs (Bucks); 2, J. F. Derry, F. C. Brunsden, S. A. Hill, N. Miroy, and D. Harrison (Berks).  One foot.

Heat 5: 1, J. Lawson, D. Bond, J. Sowersby, R. Luddington and W. L. Thompson (Bucks); 2, C. E. Wilson, V. H. Hobbs, J. A. P. Clark, A. Sharratt and G. Secker (Berks).  Three-quarters of a length.

Heat 6: 1, P. Watson, J. Hutchings, D. J. Cordwell, D. G. Grimmett and T. Jones (Bucks); 2, E. T. Watson, R. A. Derry, A. J. Hill, A. Towndrow and C. Secker (Berks).  Three-quarters of a length.

Heat 7: 1, Tibbetts, L. D. Habbitts, A. W. Currie, A. Ο. Gofton-Salmond and J. T. Marts (Bucks); 2, J. B. Ashby, C. Windebank, S. Latham, A. Woodley, and A. Peace (Berks).  Three feet.

Heat 8: 1, T. Jones, P. Watson, J. Hutchings, D. J. Cordwell and D. G. Grimmett (Berks); 2, J. Lawson, D. Bond, J. Sowerby, R. Luddington and W. L. Thompson (Bucks).  Two lengths.

Final: 1, Heat 8 winners; 2, Heat 7 winners.  One length.

Points Cup.

Points cup: 1, R. Cork and P. Watson hold jointly.

Previously Decided.

Junior Sculls

Heat 1: 1, B. J. Cork (Berks); 2, T. G. Hill (Bucks).  Easily.

Final: 1, P. Watson (Bucks); 2, B. J. Cork (Bucks).  Three-quarters of a length.

Pair-Oar Outrigger

For the “Husted” Challenge Cup and Presentation Prizes.

Heat 1: 1, A. G. Blake and R. J. Cork (Bucks); 2, P. Watson and V. A. C. Wood (Berks).

Quarter of a length.

Heat 2: 1, D. S. Harrison and R. A. Derry (Bucks); 2, P. Fitzgerald and A. E. Sharratt (Berks).

Easily.

Final: Blake and Cork beat Harrison and Derry.  One length.

Senior Sculls

Prize presented by Mr. A. H. Dyson.

Heat 1: 1, R. J. Cork (Bucks); 2, A. G. Blake (Berks).  Two lengths.

Heat 2: 1, P. Watson (Berks); 2, D. S. Harrison (Bucks). Two lengths.

Final: Cork beat Watson by one and a quarter lengths.

Coxswain’s Sculls

Final: Cork beat Dunstall easily.

Windsor and Eton Match

In the Windsor v. Eton Eight-oar race, as stated last week, Eton won by three-quarters of a length.

Pair-Oar Gig Race

For the “Richardson Gardiner” Challenge Cup.

Heat 1: 1, P. Watson, R. Cork and A. Ε. Sharratt (Berks); 2, V. H. Hobbs, D. S. Harrison and B. J. Cork (Bucks).

One length.

Heat 2: 1, V. A. C. Wood, A. G. Blake and J. T. Marrs (Berks); 2, J. Lawson, A. J. Hill and T. G. Hill (Bucks).  Half a length:

Final: 1, Heat 1 winners; 2, Heat 2 winners.  One length.

Club Fours

Heat 1: 1, D. S. Harrison, R. A. Derry, J. Dawson and E. Chasty (Berks); 2, V. А. С. Wood, R. J. Cork, F. C. Brunsden and J. T. Marrs (Bucks).  One length.

Heat 2: 1, P Watson, J. J. Sowerby, G. C. Morgan and J. G, White (Bucks); 2. A. G. Blake, W. Frazer, T. G. Hill and B. J. Cork (Berks).  Two lengths.

Heat 3: 1, D. S. Harrison, R. A. Derry, J. Lawson and E. Chasty (Bucks); 2, V. H. Hobbs, P. Fitzgerald, R. Bodilly and A. E. Sharratt (Berks).  Two lengths.

Final: 1, Heat 1 winners 2 Heat 2 winners.  Three-quarters of a length.

Club Races

“Devereux” Cup Fours (for challenge cup presented by the late Mr. E. C. Devereux).

Winners: J. M. Fraser (bow), J. Lawson, A. J. Hill, H. Duxbury (stroke), G. Cullum (cox).

“King” Cup Fours (for challenge cup presented by Mr. W. G. King).

Winners: E. C. Chasty (bow), A. G. Blake, W. Frazer, P. Watson (stroke), G. Cullum (cox).

“Herbert” Swimming Cup (for challenge cup presented by the late Mr. J. O. Herbert).

B. J. Cork.

The Dance

The dance at the Castle Hotel, attended by a company of 200, commenced at 8 p.m. and ended close on midnight.  A very happy time was spent.  Music was provided by the Queries Dance Band.  The M.C’s were Messrs. V. H. Hobbs and A. Bellringer.

Images

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