The Boat Club

"It's over the towpath !" "Nearly normal, now." "Just below the top step." We must forgive the dear old river, however, for this rather drawn-out session of fun and games which it played with members of the Boat Club, because it finally took pity, and allowed us to settle down to a most enjoyable term of boating. Illness and injury proved more of a handicap than usual : training time was lost, and crews seemed to vary from week to week. The Grove crew, for example, at the time of the races, contained two men who had only just begun to boat, since two stalwarts were irretrievably "crocked". As usual in the Easter Term, style was just a little rough, but rthe general appearance and a great deal of enthusiasm promise well for next term.

The House Races were full of excitement and colour. In the preliminary round of the Senior Division—which was rowed off a couple of days before the other races—The Grove came up against Temple. Temple were hot favourites. At the start they went ahead. At the diving board, Grove were rowing well together about half a length behind. At York City Boat House, Temple, one and a half lengths ahead, were rowing very steadily. A grating of oars against concrete made itself heard above the shouting. Temple had run into the bank. Grove pulled ahead. In spite of a noble attempt to save the situation on the part of Temple, Grove finished two lengths ahead of them. "Get Rise rattled, and then it's in the bag" was the universal advice given to the Grove crew. The Rise machine, however, refused to be in the least troubled. The Grove were ahead at the start, but they soon started to tail the Rise, about a length behind. The Rise had drawn the Railway side, and from Scarborough Bridge they drew ahead to win by a couple of lengths.

The race between Manor and School House was exciting. After a poor start by Manor, School House went into the lead, and gradually pulled away until, at York City Boathouse, they were one and a half lengths ahead. Then it happened. Gibson, the Manor stroke, started taking his boat in. Slowly, but surely, the distance between the two boats lessened. All eyes were glued on Manor's bow. At every stroke it went ahead. Between the bridges, both crews were racing canvass to canvass. But School House managed to keep ahead and just won, looking very tired, by three feet.

In the final, then, School House met Rise. It was a good race. At the diving board both crews were level. As they were passing York City Boathouse, however, School House became a little ragged, and Rise gradually drew ahead to win by three lengths.

In the preliminary round of the Junior Division School House beat Manor—who became a little flustered—by two lengths.