1929 QLD GPS Head of the River

1st Brisbane Grammar School - Bow: L. D. Lawton 11st, 2: C. A. Acton 10st, 3: E.R. Collings 11st 6lb, Str: F. M. Nicholson 12st 3lb, Cox: A.B. Farquhar 8st

2nd The Southport School - Bow: R. A. Yates 11st 10lb, 2: L. E. N. Leahy 11st 7lb, 3: P. C. Lacey 11st 11lb, Str: J. K Cullen 10st 7lb, Cox: B. Nixon 8st 1lb

3rd Anglican Church Grammar School - Bow: St. J. Stephens 11st 8lb, 2: C. L. Watts 10st 12lb, 3: A. Rowan 12st 8lb, Str: H. Royle 11st 12lb, Cox: H. J. Spence 7st 4lb

4th Brisbane Boys’ College - Bow: A. Logan 9st 7lb, 2: W. Watt 9st 10lb, 3: G. F. Thomason 10st 11lb, Str: I. Anderson 9st 10lb, Cox: A. Rudd 7st 4lb

5th Brisbane State High School - Bow: A. Jensen 10st 7lb, 2: D. Griffiths 9st 9lb, 3: A. J. Gordon 10st 1lb, Str: H. L. Wood 10st, Cox: F. Briant

From right to left: A. B. Farquhar (cox), F. M. Nicholson (stroke), E. R Collins (3), C. A. Acton (2), L. D. Lawton (Bow). 

Brisbane Boys' College All Schools' Championship Four 

Church of England Grammar School 1929 First VI 

It was Southport who took an early lead following a strong start. Stroking 40 to the minute, Southport had gone right to the front as soon as the pistol sounded and left Grammar, who were rating a huge 46, to assume the role of chaser. Churchie, relying more on length than rating, were hitting 36 in third with College and State High bringing up the rear at 38 and 39 respectively after 100 yards. 

Approaching the Victoria Bridge, Southport looked the favourite having consolidated their early advantage over Grammar to a length. Churchie and College were a further three-quarter lengths behind and State High was a length astern in fifth. With the race extending into its second half, Grammar shifted gear and gradually reduced their deficit with Southport who had dropped their rating to 34.

Rowing a short and quick 36 strokes per minute, Grammar caught Southport as the race progressed to Brown's Wharf which indicated that 300 yards remained. The blade work of the two leaders was very clean while the other three boats were struggling with their oars splashing and experienced difficulty in lifting their blades clear of the water on account of the choppy waters that was the result of a southerly breeze.

As the final stretch of the race beckoned, the 1929 Head of the River had resolved itself to a battle between Southport and Grammar. 

Brisbane Grammar managed to maintain their momentum and establish a three-quarter length lead with 200 yards to go. Yet it was here that Southport responded by lifting their rating, and they managed to reduce the margin to a quarter length with the post only 100 yards away. The Southerners though would not be able carry out this brilliant spurt until the end and Grammar would make a strong final dash of their own. 

With the finishing line only yards away and their supporters screaming themselves hoarse, Brisbane Grammar, determined not to have to share the trophy like in 1928, put in a desperate last sequence of strokes that rowers often do in the final moments of a race where they give it their all lest glory evades them. This was just enough to secure Brisbane Grammar the 1929 O'Connor Cup, having edged out Southport by half a length.

The time, 4:32.00, was strong given the choppy nature of the river. The trophy was presented to the F. M. Nicholson, the stroke of Brisbane Grammar, by Mr. Isaac Waddle, the president of the Queensland Secondary School's Association, who congratulated every crew that had participated. 

1st Brisbane Grammar School - Bow: D. Joyce 10st 9lb, 2: A.S. Gehrmann 10st 11lb, F. M. Moore 10st 12lb, Str: K. A. Moore 10st 10lb, Cox: C. B. Webster

2nd Brisbane State High School - Bow: K. C. Plumb 8st 8lb, 2: L. S. Lewis 9st 4lb, C. E. Olsen 8st 12lb, Str: W. A. Higginson 9st, Cox: E. Neville 5st 11lb

3rd Anglican Church Grammar School - Bow: J. R. A. Walker 10st 3lb, 2: G. C. Gall 11st, 3: J. C. Crombie 11st 12lb, Str: J. C. Schmidt 10st 11lb, Cox: D. C. Crombie 7st 2lb, Coach: W. P. F. Morris

4th Brisbane Boys College - Bow: J. McIntyre 9st, 2: J. Waystaffe 9st 11lb, 3: A. Mitchell 9st 11lb, Str: R. Dutton 9st 11lb, Cox: C. Logan 6st 6lb

5th The Southport School - Bow: W. A. Michod 10st, 2: J. S. Turnock 10st 10lb, 3: H. F. MacMaster 10st 7lb, Str: G. Greensil 10st, Cox: J. Stevenson 6st 9lb

From the start, Grammar took the lead rating over 40 strokes per minute. State High followed closely, who in turn were slightly ahead of C.E.G.S and Southport with Brisbane Boy's College in fifth.

Upsettingly, a number of over enthusiastic motor launch owners disrupted Southport and College. Having encroached the boundaries of the race, the interrupting river craft left a washing current in their wake and this interfered with these crew's course which would hurt though not spoil entirely Southport and College's chances. 

At the Victoria Bridge, Grammar had a length’s lead over Southport and Churchie with State High close up. Grammar were rowing a very lively short stroke at 36. With 300 yards remaining at Brown's Wharf, Grammar had increased their lead to three lengths, while C.E.G.S. and State High were rowing blade to blade endeavouring to outstrip the other for second. 

Grammar maintained their quality of rating and stroke until the end where they were victorious my a margin of 4 lengths with their win never in doubt. Churchie won their duel with State High crossing the line 2 lengths in front. Southport came in another 2 lengths away with College a further length astern.

The fact that there was only two fifths a second difference in the times between the two races was because there was more run in the tide for the second fours, while for the Championship it was nearly dead.