Monkton Bluefriars   |   Newsletter

1952

The 1st VIII reached the final of the Princess Elizabeth Cup at Henley - the only Monkton crew ever to do so. From The Times: One of the most thrilling races of the day was the Princess Elizabeth Cup in which Radley beat Monkton Combe by a bare half length in 7 min. dead. Up to the mile post the two crews were level, and Radley then began to draw away to about a length lead. In the last 100 yards Monkton Combe put in a stupendous spurt and reduced this to half a length and might have caught up in another few yards. No words can speak too highly of the school rowing, and special mention must be made of the Rev. W Llewellyn Jones, who, in the 1930's raised Monkton Combe to a pre-eminence in rowing and had now done the same for Radley. From Henley Records: There were 11 entries. Radley, Monkton Combe and Bryanston were outstanding. Monkton Combe were smooth and well together and were good enough to win in most years. The Final : Radley started at 41, but Monkton Combe at 38 led slightly at first. Radley were just ahead at the ¼ Mile, but Monkton Combe led by a canvas at the Barrier and Fawley. They were level at the ¾ Mile, but Radley spurted at 36 and led by ½ length at the 11/8 Mile.
Crew - J R Chester, J P Loebel, M S Atkins, V J Cowan-Dickie, J B Chaplin, A H P Scott-Mitchell, J H Ducker, R M Giles, C G S Bone. Coach R D Hole.

1962

At Henley: Crew - M J Scott, M R B Keighley, M C Ellis, D I Shier, K J Roberts, A C Hocking, A J Adeney, C H R Troup, R M Shorten. Coach C J Grimwade) "The boat was going alarmingly well in a preliminary outing! We raced Bedford just before lunch and the crew showed unusual calm and confidence before setting out. From the start, we went away clearly and immediately gained ½ length. Then came two mysterious shipwrecks and we lost 1&frac; lengths. By the Barrier it was clear that something serious was amiss and then the boat began to settle lower and lower in the water until by the Mile the stern was virtually awash. It transpired that we had been holed on the way to the start by a Wyfold IV, below the waterline and a foot in front of the rudder. We emptied nine gallons out of the stern section after the race. Officially we lost by 3 2/3 lengths. The row was supremely unimpressive to those who did not know what had happened; but they appreciated its heroism and courage.

Official Timekeeper's Report : Bedford led by 2/3 length at the ¼ by 1¼ lengths at Fawley and by 1¾ lengths at the Mile.

1972

The Junior Colts VIII (R D Warren, C R Chown, P J Butterworth, A Reed, J A Hartley, R J Mellows, P P Dann, G M Carruthers, N D Lea-Wilson, Coach I Steggles) was undoubtedly the most successful crew at NSR (held at Pangbourne). In a very competitive first race, the result was MNK, BMS, BDF, ABN. Monkton was 2nd in the semi final. Monkton lead off the start in the final. However, about half way down, BRY gained half a length. At a rating of 39, with 15 strokes to go, bow caught an impressive crab and took to the water.

1982

1st VIII (at Henley): A Lefever, S Arliss (Captain), T Murray Threipland, J Howard, A Chilver, C Alcock, J Cashman, N Sprang, T Wigram, S Clark. Coaches JMB, BSM

Tues 26th Jan: Land training: Once round old drill course, Sprintsx2 up hockey pitch, Round old drill course - up Brassknocker, 10 "Harvards", 30 sit-ups, 3 leg raise ...a good workout... ('Harvards' were an exercise where you squat very slowly and then leap up - no longer in the Monkton vocabulary!)

5th Feb: (At Saltford) Two trial boats and 3rd VIII. We rowed up to the bridge together. Then all three boats rowed through the railway bridge - one after the other, at firm pressure. This was to test each cox's ability. Each cox did this piece equally badly!'

21 Feb: Exeter Head race (a 1st VIII win) JMB: "I was pleased. (And it's not often that I say that)." (A rare note of approval from JMB) The 1st VIII came 78th. Cox (S A Clark) has improved. Sat 27th Feb: '...the cox (great job done!) put up a superb performance.

Sat 20th: BSM finished with the words 'Your rowing is very exciting to watch - when you row well - so row your best' ...valid words of encouragement for any Monkton rower!

Sat 1st May: Bumps Supper - A brief report of the results and highlights of the '82 season, focussing on the Womens A VIII victory at Bristol Ariel Head - the first win ever for a Monkton women's crew. (Crew : K Nicholls, R Ducker, P Kenworthy, V Bright, S Byng, M Jennings, P Mathewson, J Swain, P Howard, Coach: Ian Marr) Also mentioned were the J14 VIII victory at Saltford over Shiplake, Teddies and Pangbourne, besides the 1st VIII's successes at 3 out of 5 Head races.

Sat 8th May: did the 'torture chamber' activity... (Torture Chamber - an exercise passed on by Alf Twinn, C.U.B.C. Boatman - consists of paddling at very low rate, then lower and lower, down to as few strokes a minute as the crew can cope with (<10?). This goes on for as long as possible (5-10 minutes, or more on the Erdre). End with explosive firm for 20-30 strokes with concentration on leg drive. If done well, the sensation is electric. - Ed.) Tensions mounting... Mon

17th May: Evening Outing. After a drama, concerning NRS missing one of GNR's lessons, we get out. However, CEA feeling a bit ill, and JMB rather grumpy (to say the least - & I hope he reads that bit!).

Tues 8th June: 1st VIII broke the 1 mile record to-day, reducing it to 5.14.7 Thurs 10th June: The 1st VIII broke the 500m record to-day, 1.28.7 Things going well for Nottingham...

Sat 12th June: National Schools, 1st VIII Childe-Beale Cup. 3rd in qualifiers. 4th in final behind Abingdon, King's Canterbury, St. Paul's.

Tues 29th: Neil Burns came out to see us, which is great; it's good to see an OM oarsman taking such interest.

Germany Trip 13th - 27th July ...we had travelled only about 11 miles when we had a blow-out. The repair took some time as JMB had not the correct jack for the trailer! Once there BSM coached, JMB went sculling!' 'We practised starts - "German style - "sind Sie bereit - Los!", going on the "bereit" rather than the "Los!" ...our start was sussed!' The bill for the 2 week trip includes the following: Currency £200, Wine JMB modest, Wine BSM more modest, just! Income included £113 from Bluefriars Disco. Total cost £1757 (£11 per head per day.) A successful season for the 1st VIII and Boat Club as a whole. 1st VIII winners at: Exeter Head, Bristol Ariel Head, Avon County Schools Head; and Worcester, Monmouth, Hereford, Llandaff (JIV as well), Mainz and Emser regattas.

1992

1st VIII - J Mumford, M Norrish, I Pearce, J Rainbow, R Shaw, J Pitt (Captain), J Dawson, S Saunders, T Rotter.

Sun 31 May: Free day. It just seemed appropriate.

Wed 17th June: The 1st VIII broke the mile record today, reducing it from 5.08 to 5.04.7. Conditions: Helpful but variable upstream summer breeze. The start was rowed at slightly over 42, dropping to 40 after about a minute, then reducing steadily to 37 by the ¾ Mile post. The rate over the first two minutes was higher than the crew was used to and the bladework lost some of its recently-found precision. Conditions at the start were not as favourable as had been expected, with even a touch of head-wind being felt during the warm-up. The start was not as neat as the crew can achieve, but it had plenty of attack. The first quarter was rowed in 1.15. The breeze was not helpful for the second quarter, which took 1.19. (This quarter is somewhat longer than the first, and usually takes 2 to 3 seconds longer.) The third quarter was back on target at 1.15.4, and the final one took 1.15.2. The breeze up the long reach was helpful, but the reeds must have cost a little. There was a good final effort at about 39 for the last 25 strokes.

Fri 26 June 7.35 pm: Henley Qualifier We started well and gave it our best shot. We reached the Barrier in 1.57 and settled. We stormed down the course really giving it every ounce. It rowed well and was coherent again. The catches were strong and determined with accuracy. We did our firm patches at the Barrier, Fawley, Mile and Hole in the Wall. We recorded 6.52 - the fastest ever Monkton time over the course. BSM said "If there are ten crews with times faster than that, I will be surprised." We failed to qualify by 3 seconds. What a disaster - all we have worked for for the past year, and still we didn't make it.

Extracts chosen by Peter Riera - Secretary of Boats 2002

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