1877 Head of the River

1st Melbourne Grammar - Bow: H A Smith, 2: F H Mackay, 3: S J H Stephen, Str: F S Stephen, Cox: Arthur Edwards, Cch: P de J Grut
2nd Scotch College - Bow: Charles J Baker, 2: John G Robertson, 3: Robert A Baillie, Str: Robert J P Simson, Cox: Frederick J Edwards, Cch: John Wallace

Wesley College - Bow: Rowe, 2: Tatchell, 3: Boyd, Str: Robb, Cox: Tuckfield, Cchs: H M Andrew, Macdonald & E G Ochiltree

Despite being the favourites, Scotch were soundly defeated and never in the race. A clash of oars due to the steering of the MGS crew had no appreciable impact on the race and so no protest was lodged.

The Argus reported on the final.

The final heat for the Sumner Challenge Cup was rowed on the Upper Yarra yesterday afternoon between the Church of England Grammar School and the Scotch College. The latter have held the Cup for two years, and had they won the race yesterday it would have become their property. The Grammar School was, however, far too good for them. They went away with the lead at the start, and came in easy winners by three lengths. The course was from the Prince’s bridge to the Botanical-bridge. Mr. A. Nichols officiated as starter, Mr. M. Byrne as judge, and Professor Irving as umpire.

Heats:
E1: 1st MGS, 2nd WC, Margin 1 length. Scotch College secured the bye for this race and earned a place in the final. The race was excellent with MGS winning by only a length after WC led for the first part of the race.

The Argus also reported on the heat:

The crews appeared punctually at 3pm, and were started by Mr. Nicols, who, after a false start, got them off well together. Up to the baths corner the Wesley boat led, and was a length ahead at the baths. In rounding the bend the advantage of the inside running told heavily in favour of the school crew, and the College ( two unreadable words) steered it had lost its advantage when the boats came into the last reach; but its crew rowed pluckily and a most exciting finish was the result. The superior weight and age of the School crew, however, prevented the College from regaining its lead, and dark blue won by about a length.

As mentioned above, the Geelong Grammar crew did not race on medical advice. The crew was comprised of:
Geelong Grammar - Bow: G Smith, 2: G Trangmar, 3: Stephen Fairbairn, Str: T Fairbairn, Cox: unknown, Cch: James L Cuthbertson

It is interesting to note the influence of the Edwards boatbuilding family on the Scotch and Grammar crews. The Scotch Collegian on May 1937 noted: Cox Frederick Edwards was one of the Edwards' boathouse fame, as well-known on the Yarra itself. There were several boys in that family. Some went to Scotch and some to Grammar, and on occasions the youngsters coxed opposing crews, probably a record in Head of the River races. This is what occurred in this race.