The JUNIOR COLTS have been a most enjoyable group to coach and have had a successful season. It was clear from the start that they had been well-coached at J14 level and there were about a dozen competent to row in a competitive crew. What they lacked was experience, obviously, and strength, and over the whole season it was the lack of strength which prevented their becoming an exceptional crew. Their attitude to training, both on and off the water, has always been excellent and they have learned so much at each regatta that they have the makings of a very good unit next season. It is impossible in two-term rowing to produce dramatic reults in one season, but over two or three the improvements are re-inforced.

In the Lent Term the Bristol Ariel race was a good opportunity to paddle four miles, but there was no serious opposition. Winder was learning to stroke, with Carruthers holding things together at four. This move proved its worth later in the seasons, Carruthers improving tremendously in the middle of the boat. At Worcester Head the crew rowed well - keeping up a sustained pressure for the first time, and winning their division. It was decided to aim for the restricted pennant at the Schools' Head, with a realistic chance of success. Unfortunately the Avon flooded after Worcester, and the crew's preparation for London was ruined. On the day, we rowed in patches and did not really adjust to the shorter diatance. It was still a respectable row, but lack of outings had told.

The crew returned before term to catch up on missed rowing, and were able to get a good start to the summer season. They also got used to a new set of blades with a different shaped spoon and by the first regatta at Salt ford the boat was beginning to move. Here we met Shrewsbury, later to win the National Schools' Regatta, and Shiplake who had already won at Mortlake. The experience of defeat, by two lengths in each case, was a further education for the crew and they began to realise what the standard was. At the training day at Shearwater, we were able to practise against senior crews and against Canford and Bryanston J15s. By now it was clear that 'Sir Nevill Mott' was going as fast as we could move it with the available power and that a boat with longer slides would be an advantage. Accordingly, after half term, we launched the revamped 'Limpley Stoke' and began to adjust to anew style of rowing and a more sensitive craft. By the time of Hereford, we had not sufficiently mastered the boat, but won once convincingly before losing to the eventual winners, King's, Chester. At N.S.R. the standard in J15s was such that we were in with a chance of 2nd or 3rd place on our best form. The rough water and head wind did not suit us at all but the final position (4th) was, on reflection, not too disappointing. By Tewkesbury, the boat was beginning to move very well and this must have been the highlight of the season. Four races were won convincingly and the crew fully deserved their tankards for all the hard work they had put in. They stayed on to row at Bedford, with Gibson a very able substitute for the absent Deakin. In an epic race with a strong St. Edward's crew the pressure exerted from behind forced St. Edward's to crab and allow us to row by. It would have been a marvellous end to have won the final but Bedford School proved too strong.

I have mentioned two members of the crews already. Askew proved to be a splendid captain - always reliable and competent, and Gray improved so much in confidence that he imparted this to the crew. Turner and Hutchings were the most improved oarsmen while Kett-White was a fighter and always cheerful. Deakin lacked the strength to back up stroke but was always reliable and Humphreys maintained the stroke-length even under pressure. From the 'B' crew Gibson was outstanding while Rees, Hanton, Talbot, Barter and Spring made significant strides...