2 74
'Rowing. INTER-HOUSE ROWING. Conditions for rowing during the early weeks of the term were not very favourable for training. A high river and strong winds made it very difficult to teach beginners, as it was hardly possible to " easy " a crew for long enough to coach them without them drifting back to the Boathouse. " Tubbing " became an unpleasant, chilly, and rather profitless job. However, with various interruptions and changes, the crews gradually got together, and, for a week before the races, had possible conditions on the river. Owing to the exigencies of external exams, the dates fixed for the First Division races had to be altered, and they were held on March 12th and 13th. On the 12th, the School House I rowed against the Day Boys, and the Rise rowed against the School House II. In the first race the School House 1, rowing on the Boathouse side of the river, got a good start, and drew away at the start to gain a length's lead. They failed, however, to increase this, and by the York City Boathouse the Day Boys began to draw up. Through Scarborough Bridge they came up still more, and by Marygate were nearly level. The School House seemed unable to put on the necessary spurt, while the Day Buys made a grand effort along the straight, and passed the House almost on the post, to win by half-a-length, in 4 mins. 6 secs. In the second race the Rise, rowing on the Railway side, got a poor start, and the School House II got a slight lead. This they managed to keep up to York City Boathouse, rowing with great determination. Here, however, the Rise drew up, and, keeping a longer and steadier stroke, passed the House and drew away through Scarborough Bridge. By now the House had really shot their bolt, and the Rise increased their lead, winning by some three lengths, in 4 mins. 2 secs. In the Final, rowed on March 13th, the, Rise rowed on the Boathouse side. They made no mistake about the start, and got clean away. The Day Boys took some time to settle down, and by Scarborough Bridge the Rise had a good lead. Coming down the straight the Day Boys made another very fine spurt and began to come up on the Rise. The Rise, however, were able to answer and held the Day Boys, and so won the Cup by nearly a length in 4 mins. 5 secs. After the Final, the two losing crews of the previous day, School House I and School House II, rowed against each other. In a very good race the House I won by a length and a quarter. The races were all interesting to watch and, as a comparison of times will show, all four crews were very even. The Day Boys are particularly to be congratulated on their efforts, in view of the misfortunes that they had had to meet in forming their crew.
