Successes Reviewed at the Annual Meeting

Transcript

ETON EXCELSIOR ROWING CLUB

Their Successes Reviewed at the Annual Meeting

Cost of Sending the Crew to Henley

The annual meeting of the Eton Excelsior R.C. was held in the Club room at the boat-house on Tuesday evening, when Mr. A. Н. Dyson, the president, was the chairman, supported by Mr. V. Hobbs (captain).  Mr. C. D. Dyson (hon, secretary), Mr. A. Bellringer (hon. treasurer) and a good gathering of members.

The SECRETARY in his annual report, stated:

Although not a record year as regards trophies won, compared with last year, 1938 will be remembered not only by the members, but by the Club’s followers in Windsor and District, as a record year in the fact that the Eight (coached by Mr. H. O. C. Boret) reached the semi-final in the “Thames” Cup at Henley.  During the winter, the Captain (Mr. V. H. Hobbs), the Vice-Captain (Mr. F. W. Buck) and the Coach (Mr. H. O. C. Boret) were faced with the problem of replacing three members of the Eight, as E. Watson, P. Watson and H. C. Gough expressed their inability to give the necessary time to rowing.  They succeeded by the inclusion of J. C. Cox, J. H. Frampton and R. A. Derry, and by Easter Mr. Boret had the crew settling down into a powerful combination again, and with the long gruelling Henley course in mind, he recommended the change over from swivels to the “Lowe” patent rowlocks, which the Club adopted.

At Reading, the Eight made a very fine start for the season by winning the “Grand Challenge Cup in 5 mins. 10 secs.  They beat Quintin B.C. by two lengths in the first heat, Thames by three lengths in the semi-final and Lensbury by one and a quarter lengths in the final.  The crew was as follows: R. A. Derry (bow), D. S. Harrison, N. J. W. Nicholls, D. A. Bond, J. C. Fox, J. B. Frampton, R. J. Cork. A. G. Blake (stroke) and B. J. Cork (cox).

A Junior Four was also sent to Reading, but were beaten by Marlow R.C. by 6 ft.  The crew was: W. Fraser (bow), F. G. Hill, G. C Morgan, J. Lawson (stroke) and T. Jones (cox).

The Eight’s performance at Reading was so outstanding that the rowing world spoke of them as one of the chief hopes of England for the “Thames” Cup at Henley.  These expectations must have added to the anxieties of the Coach, but following his well-planned programme, the Eight took up residence at Henley a week before the regatta began, where their form at practice upheld the hopes of the rowing critics.

In their first race at Henley Royal Regatta, the crew had no difficulty in beating Civil Service B.C. by one and a quarter lengths in 7 mins. 32 secs.

On Thursday, the second day, they were drawn against Emmanuel College, Cambridge.  Eton got off the mark very fast and in twenty strokes were one length up, going on to win easily in 7 mins. 34 secs.

Friday brought anxious moments, as the crew were to meet Reading University B.C., who had provided the sensation of Thursday’s racing by beating a powerful Thames R.C. crew by three-quarters of a length in the very fast time of 7 mins. 25 secs.  Once again Eton were well off the mark, two lengths up at Fawley, winning by one length in 7 mins. 33 secs.  The numerous Club supporters went home with high hopes of the ensuing race with London R.C., in the semi-final, on Saturday morning.

In the semi-final, after a false start, Eton led by three-quarters of a length in the first quarter of a mile; after the mile post, London, spurting strongly, forged ahead and from there onwards it was a gruelling race, but London were just too good for us and won by three-quarters of a length.

Many members and supporters thought this to be the Club’s first appearance in the semi-final at Henley, but on searching records we find that in 1893, Eton Excelsior were beaten by one length in the final of the “Thames” Challenge Cup by Thames R.C. in 7 mins. 30 secs., Eton having beaten London R.C. in the semi-final by three lengths in 7 mins. 25 secs.  The crew was coached by W. A. Ellison (O.U.B.C.) and was as follows: F. W. Wilkinson (bow), R. W. Moon (2), W. G. Clarke (3), H. Husted (4), F. E. Goddard (5), E. Willis (6), W. L. Herbert (7), H. R. Taylor (stroke) and A. M. Leamon (cox).  It is interesting to note that the average weight of this crew was 10 st. 4 lb.  P. L. Fanning, who stroked Radley College so splendidly last year, was stated to be the lightest stroke ever to row at Henley, but as he weighed 9 st. 11 lb. to H. R. Taylor’s 8 st. 13 lb. Eton Excelsior can claim another record.

The members thanked the President for the keen interest he has taken in all the activities of the Club during the past season; the subscribers and donors of prizes at the regatta; the officials and ladies who willingly gave up their time to assist the Eton College Authorities for their help and co-operation throughout the season; Messrs. Grove and Spearman for allowing us to moor our boats in front of their premises: our non-active members and all the honorary officials for their continued support.

The Balance Sheet

The financial statement showed that on the expenditure side one of the chief items was the sending of the crew to Henley, which amounted to £61 18s., but this was considerably offset by the contribution of the crew which amounted to £42.  On the receipts side the Social Committee raised £95 and the subscriptions from members was £69 5s. 6d.  The year finished with a balance in hand of £18 11s. 2d.  The report and balance sheet were both adopted.

The following officers were elected for the year: President, Mr. A. H. Dyson; Vice-Presidents en bloc; Captain, Mr. V. Hobbs; Deputy-Captain, Mr. D. S. Harrison; Vice-Captain Mr. F. W. Buck; Hon. Treasurer, Mr. A. Bellringer; Hon. Secretary, Mr. C.D. Dyson; Assistant Hon. Secretary, Mr. W. Fraser; Hon. Auditors, Messrs. A. H. Dyson and T. H. Powers. Committee: Messrs. D. A. Bond, V. A. C. Wood, J. Lawson, A. J. Baker, G. W. Bayley, A. E. Sharratt, J. B. Powell and J. C. Fox.

It was decided to purchase a new “eight”, the total cost of which will be in the region of £130 towards which the Club have a grant of £50.  Various schemes were suggested for raising the remainder of the amount.

The meeting closed with a hearty vote of thanks to the Chairman for presiding.

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