This race was held two days after the Schools Head. As is our custom, we entered under Blue- friars colours to avoid winning the Schools cup, which is a cheap victory in most years. We also entered as an Open eight — because the aim was to win overall, and not just pick up a Senior B award at this race which often includes slow local crews in lower categories. One of the dis- advantages of the race is that, because it is held in three divisions, the best crews do not always row in t e same division. Avon County produced a good veteran crew this time, with Tideway and international oarsmen on board. They rowed in the morning, and put in a fast time. We did not see them, but reports on the tow-path confirmed that they were good. We left for Bristol after morning school, and looked likely to be the strongest in the late division. Cheltenham started immediately behind us, and the Monk- ton crew rowed powerfully throughout the coursre, leaving Cheltenham behind gradually to start with and rapidly towards the finish of the 18 minute row. We put in a time just one second slower than the Avon crew. It is always disap- pointing when victory is so close, and we return to school having 'lost'. There are losses and losses; this one was a close one, and the crew was rightly encouraged by it.