1st VIII: crew: C D Ducker, T W D Bell, S R D Johnson, D W N Aston, J J Hodgekinson-Price, R M T Reames, J N S Davison, N P Burrows, T P Evans Coach J M Bewick Average weight 74 kg
One member of the crew was still recovering from illness during the previous week, so it was not possible to boat on Monday or Tuesday. An outing planned for the Wednesday was cancelled because several members of the crew were behind with work. The crew met twice during the week to hear some of the coach's views on the attitude of mind that must be achieved in order to have a good chance of winning races.
The stream was running fast on Thursday, and conditions were not good for our last home-water course of the term. However, the outing was undertaken with good attacking spirit, and the crew had two good rows against the Colts VIII. We started about 1 length ahead on the upstream course at a rate of about 32. This was rather low, but the aim was to get length and power, so it was acceptable. Since the Colts were on our tail, there was plenty of reason to move fast. The work was good, and the rate gradually crept up to 34. We drew steadily away, to finish some half a minute ahead. On the way down, we started 10 seconds behind, and had caught up about half of this by the aqueduct. The eddies in the stream were very difficult, and both crews suffered shipwrecks below the boathouse. The crews were more or less side by side for the majority of the course, and both coxes steered well throughout. It was very noticeable, particularly at the railway bridge, that the crew out of the stream lost half a length within a few seconds. The main lesson for the coxes was that it would be vital to follow the deep water line at the Tideway.
We set out for London at 8 a.m. on Saturday, arriving at Barnes by about 10.30. The day was fine, but an increasing wind from the East was clearly going to cause difficult conditions during the race. Boats were together by 11.30, and there was time for a short and useful outing.
We launched at 1.30, and had a long time to wait before starting at 3. Our low starting number (366) among the new entries was caused by our absence last year. While the crew waited on the water, the coach walked up to the start. Marshalling was efficient on the whole, except that many foreign crews were clearly confused and got out of order. The best place near at hand for seeing the race was Barnes railway bridge, where the stream runs round the outside of the bend. The coach stood over what he thought was the line of the stream, and his opinion was confirmed by the presence of Syd Burke, the photographer, who was standing a few feet away. Most crews steered too far in, but all three Monkton crews steered perfect courses at this point. The 1st VIII looked impressive as they shot the bridge; the rate was about 34, and there was plenty of power. The cox steered an excellent course round the next bend, and overtook several boats on the way.
The wind hit hard in the last reach, with devasting effect, sinking 15 boats. The VIII managed very well, taking in only a small quantity of water, and passing several boats which could not cope with the conditions. Here again, the cox quite properly steered wide, even though an umpire tried to push him off course! There was good attack from the crew throughout the race, and when they came off the water, they were well pleased with their efforts. All agreed that they had at last had a satisfactory row.
It was not until the next day that we heard the result. We had come 58th, the highest ever Monkton placing, and had won the SENIOR C PENNANT, by beating the other 66 crews in that class. This is the first award won by a Monkton 1st VIII at a national event. cmnd not done : **There is a manuscript note indicating that 58th is the 2nd best position attained. There is a manuscript note indicating that 58th is the 2nd best position attained. horr79_ww**[There is a manuscript note indicating that 58th is the 2nd best position attained.]
The OM crew rowed very well after just one practice outing, and came 113th. The 2nd VIII had their boat damaged before the start, so did not race. The Colts came 162 which is a good position for them.
2nd VIII : Crew C E Park, P J Ferris, G H E Rigeon, H D Dunkerley, T J Greenwood, W J Haywood Smith. A J M Crawford, W E W Ransley, J P Holbrook
We did not start. Terry Page damaged. Broken by York University's boat falling off trestles. Actually got on the water but the rudder fell off. When the German 1st VIII sank opposite us we decided to call it a day, despite previously thinking we might have a go!!