History of AAGPS Head of the River Rowing Regatta

1956 NSW AAGPS Head of the River

Great Boat Race Finish to ‘Joey’s’ (Les Ryan, Sydney Morning Herald, 08 Apr 1956)

St. Joseph’s College yesterday won the Head-of-the-River in the greatest finish since the war.

St. Joseph’s beat the King’s School by 3ft, with Shore 3ft away third. Only about two lengths separated the first seven crews to finish in the mile and a half race. Hot favourite Sydney Grammar finished fifth behind Scots with Sydney High sixth, St. Ignatius seventh, and Newington last.

The win was St. Joseph’s College’s sixth Head of the River victory – and the first for 20 years.

St. Joseph’s first won in 1911, then in 1916, 1932, 1933 and 1936. St. Joseph’s (average weight 12st 8lb) is one of the heaviest crews even to win the race. Average weight of The King’s crew was 11st 2lb, and Shore 11st 8lb.

St. Joseph’s led early, rowing powerfully, from the unfavourable seven lane with a high rating of 43.

Next came The King’s School with St. Ignatius, Shore, High and Newington in the order. Last were Scots and Grammar – Scots did not get away smartly as expected, and Grammar’s start was ragged.

Senior 1st Eight

Major Rennie Trophy

7:41.00

3ft

1^st St. Joseph’s – Bow: B.B. Jarasius, 2: I. Byrnes, 3: B. Gruzauskas, 4: A. Nowikow, 5: B. Greer, 6: C. Graffes, 7: C. Spark, Str: E. Heinrich, Cox: D. Yates

2^nd The King’s School

3^rd Shore

Senior 1st Four

Yaralla Cup

5:49.45

1 ½ lengths

1 length

1^st Shore – Bow: B.I. Dickson, 2: J.D. Hudson, 3: A.K. Cowlishaw, Str: P. Bradford, Cox: R.H. Taylor

2^nd High

3^rd St. Ignatius’ College

Senior 2nd Four

5:32.35

1 ½ lengths

3ft

1^st High – Bow F.A. MacDonald, 2: K. Rubie, 3: S.W. McCarth, Str: A.G.K. Simons, Cox: R. Caddy

2^nd St. Joseph’s College

3^rd St. Ignatius’ College

Senior 3rd Four

4:11.45

Dead heat

¾ length

1^st Shore – R.G. Leggo, 2: D.F. Catts, 3: M.J. Buckley, Str: R.J. Maslin, Cox: J.W. Sawkins

1^st St. Joseph’s – Bow: P. Doyle, 2: N. Hatch, 3: R. Pickard, Str: V. Fazio, Cox: A. Mosckos

3^rd High

Senior 4th Four

4:07.35

¾ length

Canvas

1^st The King’s School – Bow: J.E. Chiragakis, 2: M.I. Dorman, 3: D.B. Pirie, Str: H.D.R. Bell, Cox: P.F. Bell

2^nd High

3^rd St. Joseph’s

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Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided, errors may exist. Please send advice of any errors or inaccuracies by email to:

Also your comments, suggestions and photos are sought to enhance this site.

The idea for this history originated from the Olympic Rowing and World Senior Rowing Championship histories written by Andrew Guerin and Margot Foster in 1991, 1992 & 1993 for the Australian team handbooks. Andrew Guerin developed and extended these histories to the current format in 2004 for publication in 2004 and then expanded the site.

Steve Roll has been an invaluable contributor to the website in locating errors and finding Christian names of rowers. His superb work is acknowledged.

© Andrew Guerin – 2004
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