The “Peters” Cup 1939

Transcript

THE “PETERS” CUP

Windsor Win a Fine Race after Interruption

The Annual Supper

The annual eight-oar race for the “Peters” Cup between two crews, one representing Windsor and the other Eton, composed of members of Eton Excelsior Rowing Club, took place on Wednesday evening over the course from Clewer Point to Eton College boathouses, a distance of about a mile.  The trophy was first rowed for in 1890 and was given by the late Sir George Peters, who was president for many years.

The race was an exciting one in spite of the fact that when both crews were going strong just below the Great Western Railway Bridge a punt was crossing the path of the Windsor boat forcing the coxswain to steer over to the Bucks shore too close to the Eton crew to avoid a stoppage.  The race was restarted from this point, the Windsor crew then having a lead of half a length.  The closing stages provided a great thrill with Eton spurting to get in front by a very small margin.  Then Windsor spurted magnificently to win by 4 ft., a grand finish.  Last year Eton won.  In accordance with the usual custom Windsor rowed next to the Berks shore.

The crews were:

Windsor: A. Sharratt (bow), R. Bodilly, D. S. Harrison, A. G. Blake, J. J. Sowerby. D. A. Bond, E. Chasty, V. H. Hobbs (stroke) and J. B. W. Turner (cox).

Eton: W. Fraser (bow), J. Lawson, T. Marrs, E. Blore, N. T. Nicholls, A. Jones, R. J. Cork, B. J. Cork (stroke) and J. Randall (cox).

The officials were: Starter, Mr. T. Н. Boswell; Judge, Mr. J. W. Tull.  With them in the launch which followed the race was the President (Mr. A. H. Dyson) than whom there was no more interested spectators.

The Supper

Following the contest the President, as in many former years, entertained the crews and other members of the Club, together with old members and supporters, to supper at the Royal Oak Hotel, where a jolly time was spent.  Mr. Dyson was supported by, among others: Messrs. T. H. Boswell, H. J. Cork, E. C. Hetherington, H. L. Blake, J. W. Tull, W. Blane, V. H. Hobbs (captain), F. W. Buck (vice-captain), D. S. Harrison (deputy captain), C. D. Dyson (hon. secretary), A. Bellringer (hon. treasurer), L. Blane, T. Luff, H. Luff, C. R. B. Howlett, R. Long, H. Long, J. White, J. Powell, etc.

After an excellent supper the PRESIDENT proposed the Royal Toast, loyally honoured.

The Winning Crew

The President proposing the health of the Windsor crew described the race as one of the best he could remember, though in the past there had been some splendid contests.  He explained how the “Peters” Cup came to be presented to the Club.  It was in the year of the silver wedding of King Edward VII, then the Prince of Wales.  At that time the Eton Excelsior Rowing Club arranged a wonderful river carnival, similar to that at the recent Coronation festivities, and Mr. Peters was so pleased that he gave the cup to be rowed for annually.  For many years it was for eights.  Then because they could not get enough members, it was rowed for by fours.  The war followed and afterwards he remembered a little gathering, like the one that night, held at the Bridge House Hotel, when they welcomed back the boys who were fortunate to return from the war; but some, he was sorry to say, were left on the other side of the water.  They had a very enjoyable evening and ever since he had tried to keep the annual supper going (applause).  He mentioned the names of some attending the supper that night who had consistently helped to support the Club and he thanked them sincerely for their valuable assistance.  He coupled with the toast the name of Mr. V. H. Hobbs.

The toast having been very cordially received, Mr. HOBBS said while there had to be a captain of the Club, they also required a President and in Mr. Dyson they had been exceedingly fortunate.  From the day when he first persuaded him to accept the office, he had been a real hard worker.  He paid warm tributes to the Hon. Secretary (Mr. Cyril Dyson) and his wife and urged that it was up to them to back them up in connexion with the regatta on the following Saturday that it might prove a huge success.  They all appreciated the hospitality that evening of the President; it was wonderful how a man of his years kept up his activities on behalf of the Club.  He thanked Mr. Dyson on behalf of the Committee and members for having invited them to the supper (applause).

The Honorary Members

The PRESIDENT proposed the health of the hon. members, coupling with it the name of Mr. E. C. Hetherington.  It was received with enthusiasm.

Mr. HETHERINGTON, on behalf of the hon. members, thanked Mr. Dyson for his hospitality and for his own part, expressed delight at being with them again.  Nearly twenty-five years ago the speaker was a rowing member and it was no secret at the time that he was not a very good rowing member.  He knew enough about it, however, to realize that rowing was a magnificent sport, a splendid exercise, and that it did teach them the team spirit.

The Honorary Officers

The PRESIDENT proposed the hon. officers in complimentary terms, referring with pleasure to the services, in particular, of Mr. Buck whom he described as a champion, Mr. Harrison, Mr. Bellringer and Mr. Cyril Dyson.

The hon. officers were cordially toasted.

Mr. C. D. DYSON, replying, spoke about the forthcoming regatta, said some of the races would be very much on top of one another, and appealed for punctuality on the part of the competitors when they were called to take part in events.

Messrs. BUCK and HARRISON also briefly acknowledged the compliments paid them and Mr. BELLRINGER spoke of the wonderful way in which certain members had for as long as twenty years continued to support the Club by giving full annual subscriptions though unable very often to be with them. Mr. W. BLANE, in a short address, said last. year was a wonderful one for the Club but during the last twelve months things had changed.  Youngsters had been through the hoop in camp in the mud, but had never laughed so much in their lives.  That was the spirit of all sportsmen.  Last year they trained hard, obeyed their coach and the results were excellent.  Their brain power and brawn was now required by the country and their rowing and the team spirit which they acquired together would serve them well just the same in the Army as when rowing on the river.  The junior eight had the right spirit, all joined up.  If the present youngsters followed in their footsteps they would keep the old Eton Excelsior flag flying.  He hoped he was not speaking in too serious a vein, but expressed the opinion that we were up against it.  We saw the writing on the wall and had to be prepared to meet it.  The members of the Club would show the right spirit if they obeyed their officers and older members realized they would do as those who joined up in 1914 and enjoy it.

Between the speeches there was music on the piano by Mrs. Brazier and songs were also enjoyed. Mrs. Brazier was thanked on behalf of the company by the President.

The evening closed with three hearty cheers for Mr. A. H. Dyson.

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