The past few years' Henley results have been consistent. We have lost in the first round, and have often had to explain that but for the bad luck of the draw we would have got through a round or two. In some of these years it was possible to estimate our overall position amongst the entry for the race; this was, more often than not, somewhere in the middle of the field. For the past three or four years we have been drawn against crews which have won their way through to semi-fin is or finals. This year, with a fast crew which had broken both the mile and the 500 metre records before going to Hen- ley, a more reasonable draw was expected to give us a good chance of winning at least one round. The news that we had drawn Bryanston was welcomed with great relief a week before the regatta.

FIRST ROUND v BRYANSTON

Both crews arrived at the start with plenty of time to spare. The Monkton crew sat on the stake-boat ready to go, and getting tighter and tighter, for several minutes. Eventually they re- laxed slightly, but were still far too tense to go off well. They went off at 46, and immediately gained three men. The tightness showed up in very messy puddles, and the worst start the crew has done for some weeks. After 16 strokes, the rate was about 41, and a third to half a length had been gained on the op osition. As they approached Fawley, the rate had eased down to 38, and the lead had been increased to three- quarters of a length. The Fawley time was 1.10. Thereafter, the rate dropped still further; both confidence and neatness improved throughout the course. The support on the bank was rather quiet for this race, as the coaches from school were not due to arrive until later. A small group of cricketers (including MCG and TJD) gave vociferous encouragement at Remenham Club Mile Post, the rate was 35/36, and the distance had been increased to one and a quarter lengths, and by the next signal, the distance was one and a half lengths. A good 'ten' gave them another length in a few impressive strokes. The verdict was two and half lengths in a time of 4.49.

SECOND ROUND v KING'S COLLEGE SCHOOL

Monkton was much more relaxed this time, and went off impressively at 46. No sooner had they started than encouragement errupted from the bank; it seemed that the whole Monkton contingent was there. This support from other members of the school was greatly appreciated by the crew and it was certainly the best and most useful in the coach's memory. He joins with the Captain in thanking the many people who had walked a long way down the crowded towpath to help urge the crew on. The crew continue to gain ground rapidly, and after half a minute or so, the distance was three-quarters of a length. At Fawley, the time was 1.10 and the distance was one and a half lengths. At the Mile post (at 35), the distance was only one and a third lengths, but the crew was in control of the race, and were in no danger. As they rowed through the Enclosures, the distance was one and a half lengths, and the rate 35. In the last twenty to twenty five strokes, the rate was taken up well to 37, and final verdict was a convincing three lengths.

QUARTER FINAL v SHREWSBURY

The time-keepers for this race were W G R M Laurie (a Monktonian) and J H T Wilson (a Salopian). Laurie and Wilson won the Silver Goblets in 1938 and 1948). The Monkton and Shrewsbury coaches enjoyed a short conversation with these two famous oarsmen in the way to the start). The start was not quite as good as usual, but we held our own in the first few strokes, and may even have gone up a bit. After half a minute, Shrewsbury took a slight lead, while we dropped the rate to 39. At Fawley (Time 1.08), the distance was half a length, and by the three-quarter mile post, the distance had been increased to one length. Shrewsbury maintained their rate at about 35, and they were certainly aiming to do the fastest time they could manage, in order to gauge themselves against Radley, whom they hope to meet in the final. At the mile and one eighth, the distance was two lengths, but Monkton held on well, rowing hard to the end of the race.. Through the Enclosures, Monkton rowed better on every st oke, increas- ing the rate to 37 (when it would have been tempting to give up), and they decreased Shrewsbury's lead to a length and a half at the finish. This was an excellent result for Monkton, and one which was appreciated by supporters and friends at the Regatta; several made a point of congratulating the crew and said how delighted they were to have seen Monkton row the course three times. The last of these races, against a Selected crew, was the most notable, and the determination of the crew to row from behind earned them praise from many quarters. Times recorded during Saturday racing con- firmed that we were in the top eight crews out of 23 in the event. It is interesting to note from the minute book that in the years since 1920, we have lost in the first round in 29 regattas, have won one round in 14, have won two rounds in 7 (1929, 1931, 1936, 1947, 1951, 1953 and 1987) and have won three rounds in two (1934 and 1952).