1924 QLD GPS Head of the River

1st Brisbane Boys' College - Bow: G. S. Sturtridge 9st 12 lb, 2: R. S. I. Brown 11st 10lb, 3: E. K. Murphy 10st 12lb, Str: S. O. Cowlishaw 11st 2lb, Cox: A. R. Kennedy, Coaches: Dr. V. McDowall & J. T. Styles

2nd Brisbane State High School - Bow: C. Fisher, 2: D. Barker, 3: S. Phipps, Str: E. Anderson, Cox: T. McHale

3rd Church of England Grammar School - Bow: J. H. E. Dick, 2: D. A. Snelling, 3: B. S. Brown-Beresford, Str: E. C. L’Estrange, Cox: A. G. Alexander, Coach: W. P. F. Morris

4th The Southport School - Bow: R. E. Bevan, 2: K. C. Lahey, 3: H. H. Bevan, Str: R. W. Smith, Cox: J. E. Kemp

5th Brisbane Grammar School - Bow: A. G. McKie, 2: J. P. Wilson, 3: E. L. Walker, Str: R. Groom, Cox: L. D. Kellet

The scene just after the finish of the Schools' Rowing Race, won by the Brisbane Boys' College, Clayfield

Brisbane Boys' College Crew

From Left to right, A. R. Kennedy, S. O. Cowlishaw, E. K. Murphy, R. S. I. Brown, G. S. Sturtridge

The Brisbane Boys' College Team

The Brisbane Boys' College Team

Standing: J.T. Styles, Esq. (coach), E.K. Murphy (3), R.S. Brown (2), Dr. V. McDowall (coach). Sitting: S.O. Cowlishaw (stroke), G.S. Sturtridge (bow). In front: A.R. Kennedy (cox).

Church of England Grammar 1924 All Schools' Crew

E.C. L'Estrange (stroke), B.S. Brown-Beresford (3), A.G. Alexander (cox), D.A. Snelling (2), J.H.E. Dick (bow)

The Race Described

At the start of the race there was a brilliant scene of school colours flaunting in the breeze, and loud war cries being shouted by the passionate schoolboy spectators on the banks of the river.

However, the enthusiastic onlookers would have to wait 40 minutes when within the first dozen strokes the Brisbane Grammar boat's slide had jammed, forcing the starters to recall the crews and delay the start.

At last, all five crews got away and with the cries of "they're off" from the crowd, the boats made their way down the Bride Reach. Brisbane Grammar got the best of the re-start, and College was last away. Grammar was displaced by State High school with Churchie in third after the first quarter mile.

College seemed content with fourth, and were performing a smooth swinging stroke that gave the impression the crew was composed and preserving precious energy for the closing stretches of the race. Emerging from the Victoria Bridge, Churchie and State High became the breakaways, with Brisbane Grammar dropping back into fourth, overtaken by College.

By this time, Southport were 3 lengths away in fifth place and would never mount a challenged for the title.

As the leaders battled for supremacy, across the water came cries of "High School! High School!" from supporters laden in red and blue. With 100 yards to go Clayfield were half a length ahead of Churchie who trailed the High School by a mere canvas.

With fatigue setting in, it was clear that Brisbane Boys' College had found a second gear and started a magnificent spurt with 20 yards to go and leapt to the front in the closing 10 yards, to win by three feet. State High School, lacking the stamina, simply couldn't find a response to College's brilliant closing dash and would find themselves in second place, a canvas clear from Churchie. Southport 3 lengths away in fourth.

Brisbane Grammar failed to finish having experienced a boating malfunction that rendered their race over with 200 yards to go.

Pulling against a strong tide and wind, the conditions gave all the crews much to contend with. College's victory thus demonstrated their strong rowing fundamentals. It was evident that under such conditions the crew which best used a long, steady stroke with hard leg drive and shoulder lift, would win the race.

Although Clayfield had nearly waited too long to put in their final spurt and it very much could have gone either way.

Showing exemplary sportsmanship, Brisbane Boys' College would commend the efforts of their rivals, especially State High School in their 1924 school's newsletter.

The 1924 Head of the River meant that Brisbane Boys' College, Church of England Grammar School and The Southport School had each attained the O'Connor Cup once.