One of the joys of a 'B' crew's life is that it is constantly being savaged by the 'A' crew, its best members being summarily removed. This keeps everyone on their toes, in the hope of a row in the 'A' crew, but also means that the crew is often rowing under par, with substitutes, which can have a rather demoralising effect.

The season began with two crews and one reserve - a tight situation. The 'A' crew had been chosen by LAAR and accounted for most of the 'big' oarsmen. However, several large lads, including our Captain, Matt Nash, remained, and morale was reasonably high. We were rowing in a sweep blade boat, the 'A's having happily converted full time to Hex, the Mawer/ Gayner built octuple.

The B crew rowed well at Henley Head Race, though it was demoralising to be overtaken easily by three 'Octs'. Clearly, twice as many oars was a good combination, and we wanted to have a go at it ourselves.

At Saltford we had a further encouraging row, spoiled by another crew forcing us into the bridge on the way down. Sublimation of the ensuing anger gave us a great lift, and a promising time.

Having lost Luke to the 'A' crew, Bristol Ariel saw us rowing the four miles with two Junior Colts subs who kindly fitted in, but who weren't what we were used to! A great row nonetheless, and a brilliant piece of steering from our novice cox, Alec Lahaye. We faced the School's Head with a full crew. After the chaos of the start (how unlike the Head Race later in the week!), the row was creditable, as was the coxing, although crew discipline hit a low at one point. The real excitement of the year came as Rodney Musters, our boat, was re-rigged as an 'oct' for the regatta season - and the whole crew took to the experience with joy. Our first outing with our sixteen new Hi Lock blades - minus our Captain, who had left to play cricket - at Swindon, was dispiriting; the will and muscles were there, but as a crew, with an average weight of seven stone, we just didn't have the weight against the wind!

We were tremendously lucky just to be able to go to Nottingham, as the only 'B' crew in the event to row in the 'octs' at National Schools' Regatta, and were by no means disgraced, coming last by only some two lengths - not bad against all the 'A' crews, over 1500 metres; and this, without our Captain, number six, who had been tragically involved in a road accident on the eve of going to Nottingham.

The final regatta was our finest hour - Reading Town! We were drawn against Shiplake and Radley, the former having beaten us earlier in the season by two lengths, the latter simply in a different class from us. In a tremendously stirring race, we beat Shiplake, who had the temerity to deride us at the start, by a canvas! Heady stuff, and a great way to finish the season.

Special mentions on Adam, a great stroke and excellent sculler; Justin, who has the very best technique, along with Alec, who stopped coxing and started to row with a vengeance; on Luke - really a member of the 'A' crew, who will never forget this season; 'Hutch', the pocket thunder with a huge heart; Barney, who gives everything, usually at the right time; Peter 'Bean' Boere, the most improved oarsman of the crew; Chris Page, our public relations man - and 'Millie' Milmine, who stepped in, as a complete novice sub, to row for the whole of the Regatta season... not forgetting Nick, our cox, no mean sculler himself. All characters, all growing! You wait, I'll bet at least five will reach the 1st VIII. Well done lads! Weight and brawn isn't everything