Given the great potential and promise evident in what then amounted to two eights, the progress from January to July in the Colts age group has been disappointing. There have been some excellent high spirits — notably in the 'A' crew. In the Head Races, they were constantly snapping at the heels of the Second Eight, never being further than a handful of seconds down. The Head of the River Race, always a great occasion, marked an excellent performance, notwithstanding starting from a virtual standstill due to the errant tactics of a vagrant crew on its way to the start. The course rowed at the City of Bristol was also noteworthy — they won their class, and came high in the overall classification, above several crews whose position gave us much cause for rejoicing. The 'B' crew had a mixed term, their best outing probably being a spirited row at Henley Schools' Head, where they conceded a mere fifteen seconds to the 'A' crew.

The 'A' crew spent some ten days in France over Easter, working at fitness and technique, and eventually racing in fine style at Laon. The experience and success of this trip laid a hugely positive foundation in morale and muscles for the regatta season, the crew racing at Avon County to be placed third in a top class field from fourteen schools, notably beating Pangbourne's 'A' crew, and winning their class at Wimbleball, beating Canford in the final. Heady stuff, and auguries were good for the National Schools'.

However, this was not to be. Plagued throughout the year by psychological weaknesses and poor judgement in certain areas, the crew eventually scratched at the Schools', to our intense disappointment. How are the mighty fallen! Likewise, the 'B' crew, riven by disputes and disturbed by histrionic prima donnas worthy of an Oxford crew (or an Australian Soap) had an unhappy first half of term. Like the phoenix, however, a most promising and spirited four arose from the psychological ashes, going on to prove their mettle in a couple of stirring races. Their performance at Birmingham against other crews of greater experience and fitness was one their coach will not readily forget; in the final analysis, it was fitness that told, and they came third by a whisker.

Overall, the GCSE has changed the course of the fifth year; nonetheless, there were many promising individual performances in both crews 'major' crews; and the lesson learnt, that unanimity and singularity of purpose in all crew members is vital to ensure competitiveness; brawn is not sufficient in itself.