It is an eloquent comment on the calibre and attitude of the B crew, that the rather demoralised, tentative, heterogeneous selection of young men who started the year in January should, notwithstanding personnel changes and injury, have become the powerful, well drilled boat that they did, contesting races to a canvas, full of self-respect and determination. In a sense, results - and there have been some excellent ones - have been a secondary issue this year. The main focus was rather the binding together and building up of a crew that didn't really believe in itself. Too small, too weak, second rate - there's no point in working at it, beside such a sterling 'A' Crew some felt. But some hard training, some success - such as losing to the A's by only a few seconds - or soundly beating the Novice A's, our natural rivals; and a growing recognition that working together, with one mind, as one unit, resulted in considerable progress and gave rise to a new, more robust crew spirit. This was ruffled somewhat when one of our most single-minded oarsman, William Parsons was translated to the A's - he deserved it, but we missed him, as we had missed Nick Cross, earlier in the season. But of such is the life of a 'B' Crew. With virtually no reserve crewmen, morale might have fallen again. However, John Lockwood, a talented oarsman from the previous year who had left for another sport, kindly, to our great joy, agreed to be seconded into the crew, just in time for our first regatta. From this event, at Coate Water, through Birmingham and the National Schools, the crew gave of its absolute best, resulting in some stirring rows - notably at Birmingham, where the verdict was a canvas. Repeatedly, we outrowed crews heavier than ourselves, occasionally beating 'A' crews. Robert Mitchell, always modest, developed in stature and confidence as stroke through the year, dropping out only toward the end due, ironically, to a football injury. John Lockwood 'subbed' in his fiery and positive way, stroking us to a very creditable performance in the National Schools, even though we had never rowed that 'crew' before. John Mackenzie at seven, ever taller and more powerful, is a fine smooth technician, setting the crew's standards for speed around the catch. Ben Clark, our captain, has led by example with controlled aggression (usually!) and enormous vigour; his puddles are always impressive. Tom Carter has had an uneasy year - but in the teeth of a fight, his unmistakable 'Mawer' pedigree, and his muscles have been appreciated. Paul Jones, Bill l'Anson and James Oakley have all improved tremendously in the bow three; although rapidly developing Coltish limbs and size ten feet are hard to control, bowing backs are straightening, wooden movements are becoming smooth, and flopping heads and shoulders are bracing up. Guiding us all through thick and thin, our Novice cox Matthew Dixon has grown in confidence and authority, above all keeping his sense of humour and cool in some rather trying situations and using his intelligence and intuition to good effect. Although the season has contained many potentially discouraging and dispiriting circumstances, the whole crew has grown progressively more professional and resolute through dealing with them, and in all, it has been a tremendously encouraging two terms...an excellent and businesslike foundation for a future Colts crew.