May 1948 36

PUBLIC SCHOOLS ROWING, 1948

The crew which represented Wesley for the half-mile post, when Scotch gained another Head of the River races was not settled until one-third of a length, but the Wesley crew rather late in the season, the following boys responded to their stroke and reduced the finally representing the School;—Bow, C. J. gap to a length with 150 yards still to be Hunt, 11.0; 2, A. R. Bartram, 11.7; 3, B. C. covered. Scotch, although they were a fresh Jones, 11.2; 4, B. Tutton, 11.1; 5, A. J. Thomp­ crew after their mishap in the heat, were son, 12.8; 6. M. F. A. Robertson, 12.4; 7, J. S. tiring after their fast start, and Wesley were Macglashan, 13.0; stroke, S. F. Muir-Smith, increasing their pace. Sprinting for home 12.4 (Capt.); cox., J. H. Fielden, 8 1 (Vice- Wesley drew still nearer to Scotch, but de­ Capt.). The average weight of the crew spite the crew's plucky finish, they could not was 11 stone 12 lbs. quite catch Scotch, who won by half a length Heats. from Wesley with Geelong Grammar third. The race was rowed in 5 min. 6i sees. All the heats were contested on the Bar- Winner's Final: — won on Friday, 16th April, Wesley being drawn to race against Xavier in the first South—Xavier . heat. Xavier, on the North course, started Centre—. a quarter of a length ahead of Wesley (centre North— . course), because of the bend in the river. Melbourne Grammar again started well Owing to a strong cross-wind there was con­ and took the lead, but Xavier kept close to siderable delay at the start, but when the them. After about half a mile Xavier fal­ two crews did start they rowed off evenly tered, but their stroke, Doyle, gathered the and well. Wesley, rating at 34, were unable crew together again and challenged Mel­ to catch Xavier during the first half mile, bourne Grammar. With excellent rowing for they (quickly converted their early ap­ Xavier reduced Grammar's lead and then parent lead of a quarter of a length into an took the lead themselves, finishing excep­ actual advantage of approximately the same tionally well to win by a length from Mel­ distance. Both crews were rowing excel­ bourne Grammar, with Geelong College third; lently at the half-mile post, with Xavier still the winning time was 5 min, 6 sees. We ex­ in the lead. At the Mill, Wesley drew up tend our hearty congratuations to Xavier for within striking distance of their opponents, their fine win—their first on the Barwon, and but the Red and Blacks pushed ahead again also their first for 11 years. and finished very strongly a quarter of a length in front of Wesley in the fast time Second Crews. time of 5 min. li sees. Heat:—Wesley, on the North course, rowed Second Heat:—Melbourne Grammar, on against Scotch in the heat. Scotch, with the North course, were faster off the mark an extremely good start, quickly took the than Geelong Grammar, and they rowed well lead, but Wesley, after being a little rushed, to maintain their lead right through to the settled down nicely. Wesley were unable to finish, taking 5 min. 2k sees, to cover the make any impression on Scotch's lead, how­ course. ever, and the heavier crew won by half a Third Heat:—This was a walkover for length. In the winner's final Scotch rowed Geelong College because Scotch, after start­ well to win from Melbourne Grammar. ing well, suffered a mishap in the boat in Losers' Final.—Geelong College. Xavier and the early stages of the race and were forced Wesley contested this race, with Wesley again to retire. on the North course. Rating at 38 Wesley Losers' Final— started very well and took the lead from South,—Wesley College. Geelong College with Xavier close behind. Centre,—Scotch College. At the Mill Wesley and Geelong College were North.—, creeping away from Xavier, and then with 100 yards to go our crew sprinted to win by Scotch were very fast in the first 300 yards half a length from Geelong College. of this race, and were a length ahead of Wesley, who were well ahead of Geelong Grammar by the end of the first quarter Third Crews. mile. This lead remained constant until the Heat.—With a good start Wesley leaped