The “Peters” Cup 1938

Transcript

RACE FOR THE “PETERS” CUP

Eton Defeat Windsor

The President Entertains Crews and Friends

That hardy annual, the race for the “Peters” Cup, in which two eights of the Eton Excelsior Rowing Club take part, one drawn from members on the Bucks side of the river and the other from those on the Berks side, took place on Wednesday evening from Clewer Point to Eton College boat-houses. The Eton crew won by three-quarters of a length.

The officials were : Timekeepers and Umpires the President (Mr. A. H. Dyson), and Mr. T. H. Boswell; Judge, Mr. J. W. Tull.

Eton drew Bucks shore and Windsor Berks side.  At the start Windsor led by a few feet, but at the G.W.R. bridge Eton had a lead of about a quarter of a length.  From there to the finish Eton held the supremacy and forging ahead in the last stage won the laurels.

The crews were:

Eton R. A. Derry (bow), J. Lawson, W. Frazer, G. C. Morgan, R. J. Cork, V. A. C. Wood, N. J. Nicholls, A. G. Blake (stroke) and J. B. Cork (cox).

Windsor P. Fitzgerald (bow), A. Sharratt, J. J. Sowerby, V. H. Hobbs, F. W. Buck, D. S. Harrison, J. C. Fox, P. Watson (stroke), and J. G. White (cox).

In the Windsor crew those who rowed at Henley were D. S. Harrison and P. Watson, and in the Eton crew R. A. Derry. R. J. Cork, N. J. Nicholls, A. G. Blake and J. B. Cork (cox).

The President Entertains

After the race the President entertained the crews, members, friends and supporters to an excellent supper at the Royal Oak Hotel.  In doing so he was carrying out a custom which has been his for many years and has kept the members together in good comradeship.  He was supported by among others: Messrs. T. Н. Boswell, W. J. Blane and L. F. Blane (vice-presidents), G. S. Harrison, T. Watson, H. J. Cork, J. H. L. Blake, R. G. Radnor, J. W. Tull, J. G. Tull, the Captain of the Club (Mr. V. H. Hobbs), Vice-Captain (Mr. F. W. Bucks), Deputy-Captain (Mr. V. A. C. Wood), Hon. Secretary (Mr. C. Dyson). Assistant Hon. Secretary (Mr. J. Powell), Hon. Treasurer (Mr. A. Bellringer), etc.  Upwards of forty-five sat down to an enjoyable evening.  The PRESIDENT proposed the royal toast, with musical honours.

The Cup was filled and the President was the first to drink to the good health and prosperity of the winning crew.  He then honoured the losers by drinking to their good health.  The cup was handed round and every one toasted victors and vanquished.

The Club

Proposing the health of the Club, the President spoke of the wonderful season they had enjoyed.  He had been a member for sixty years, during which he had never known the Club do so well.  He was proud to be their president.  The successes they had achieved had put Eton Excelsior on the map.  He paid tribute to the sterling services of their Hon. Coach (Mr. H. O. C. Boret). and to the good work of the Captain, Vice-captain, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer, and others, all of whom put in their quota of work.  Speaking of Henley, Mr. Dyson said it was good to see the crew there and to listen to the remarks as they went along the course.  “What a splendid crew” was heard on every side.  He trusted next season would be as good successful.

Mr. BOSWELL remarked that it gave him pride to be one of their vice-presidents and Mr. Boret must be exceedingly pleased with the crew’s performance.

The President

Мr. V. Н. HOBBS said all owed a very hearty vote of thanks to the President for entertaining them. They were very fortunate in having a man who studied so closely the interests of the Club, especially, if he might say so, for a man of his years.  They appreciated his help in this and many other ways during the past and many seasons prior to it.  He asked the company to drink to the President’s health.

The toast was received with musical honours and cheers, the President acknowledging.

Old Members and Supporters

The PRESIDENT proposed the health of old members and supporters, mentioning the presence of Messrs. Blane, Mr. Cork, Mr. Harrison and Mr. Blake.

The toast was received with enthusiasm.

Mr. Billy BLANE returned thanks.  This year, he said, the Club had “bowled out” the old members, had completely taken the ground from under their feet, for generally they had got up and had spoken of “what we did in the old days”.  “You have beaten us at last”, he continued, “so what is there left for us to say?”  The success of the Club had been remarkable and he affirmed that this had come about since Mr. Dyson had been their president.  Since then they had never looked back.  He attributed it in no small way to these suppers for the Windsor and Eton crews, which Mr. Dyson started after the war.  It had helped to keep the members together.  Their President had been the backbone of the Club and he thought they really had to thank him for the fact that they were still in existence (hear, hear).

Mr. BLAKE was called upon, and on rising said he had never made a speech in his life.  He proceeded, however, to make one of the best little orations of the evening, in which he said it gave him great pleasure to be in such joyful company.  It was a great satisfaction to his wife, his friends and himself, that his own son was a member.  He had been delighted to follow their victories from time to time at the various regattas.  He must not be thought to be blowing his own trumpet when he mentioned how proud he was of the position his son occupied in the crew.  He hoped he would be spared to see them row to victory next year.

Mr. J. G. TULL, speaking as “one of the younger of the older members” said he certainly represented the Club back to 1914 but the time came when he had to choose between two things, his activities for the Rowing Club and the Windsor Fire Brigade.  With rowing as with fire brigade work one had to put heart and soul into it and he chose the fire service.

Before the close of a jolly evening Mr. Cyril DYSON spoke of the record entries for Saturday’s regatta and appealed to all to be “up to time” in order to complete a long programme.

After the singing of “Auld Lang Syne” and the National Anthem the party concluded.

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