1878 Head of the River

1st Geelong Grammar - Bow: W T Manifold, 2: F L Armytage, 3: Stephen Fairbairn, Str: G M Smith, Cox: R A D Hood, Cchs: James L Cuthbertson & H B McCormick
2nd Melbourne Grammar - Bow: H A Grey-Smith, 2: Guy P Grey-Smith, 3: G R M Graham, Str: S J H Stephen, Cox: Arthur Edwards, Cch: P de J Grut

Melbourne Grammar Crew - Standing: Guy P. Grey Smith (2), G.R.M. Graham (3), Mr P. deJ. Grut, (Coach). Sitting: S.J.H. Stephen (str.), H.A. Grey Smith (bow), A. Edwards (cox)

Photo courtesy of Melbourne Grammar archives - Cat. no. 6564

The Argus reported on the final.

The final heat for the possession of the Sumner Public Schools Challenge Cup was rowed yesterday afternoon on the Upper Yarra, the course being from the Prince’s-bridge to the Botanical-gardens bridge. On the previous day the GGS crew had beaten the Wesley crew and the MGS, who held the cup during the past year, had beaten the Scotch College crew. The contest yesterday afternoon was between the two winners of the previous day. The Geelong crew were the favourites at the start, as they were known to be in splendid form, and the result justified the confidence placed in them, as they led off quickly from the start, gained on their opponents throughout, and won as they chose at last by four boats lengths.

Other crews included:
Scotch College - Bow: Henry G Montgomery, 2: William J Bayles, 3: Henry C Elliot, Str: John G Robertson, Cox: Frederick J Edwards, Cch: John Wallace
Wesley College - Bow: J Johnson, 2: G H Tatchell, 3: H Turnbull, Str: A Robb, Cox: Jerome, Cch: Prof H M Andrew

E1: 1st GGS, 2nd WC, Margin: 3 lengths
E2: 1st MGS, 2nd SC, Margin: 2 lengths

The Argus also reported on the heats.

First Heat
GGS v Wesley

The Geelong crew went ahead from the start, gained all the way, and won with great ease by about three boat’s length.

Crews: same

Second heat
MGS v Scotch

This race was a very good one. The Scotch College crew took the lead, and gained on their opponents for about 400 yards until they were nearly a length ahead, but their opponents rowed on pluckily, and by the time Brander’s ferry was reached were on level terms. From that point to the end of the race the Grammar School crew, who are the present holders of the cup, kept increasing their lead, and notwithstanding the best efforts of the Scotch College crew, won by two lengths.

1st Geelong Grammar - Bow: H Payne, 2: F Payne, 3: A Hopkins, Str: T Fairbairn, Cox: R Hood
2nd Melbourne Grammar - Bow: R Henderson, 2: F Shuter, 3: P Barlow, Str: N Vance, Cox: Arthur Edwards

The final was eported by The Argus.

After a deal of delay, not caused by them or the starter, the two crews were dismissed by Mr. Hodges to a capital start. Melbourne on the north side, had the best of the stream at starting and led slightly, rowing somewhat the faster stroke. Rounding the bend to Brander’s, Geelong, helped by position, led, and gradually improved their advantage till they had drawn just clear, when their coxswain, endeavouring to cut over a buoy and save his distance, brought the blade of his 2’s oar crashing against it. Stroke could not row, and 2’s oar could not be got out till all way was off the boat, by which time Melbourne had just changed positions and had her rudder level with Geelong’s bow. The Geelong stroke seemed for a moment inclined to give up, but encouraged by shouts from the bank, took heart of grace and went at it like a tiger and wore the Melbourne down, and favoured by the corner above Prince’s bridge was again just clear as they turned into the straight run home, when Melbourne, whom everyone thought played out, put on the most splendid spurt, for which Vance, their stroke, deserves infinite credit. Geelong, exhausted by their former effort, could go as they were going but no faster, and half a foot a stroke Melbourne were coming up till they brought their boat level. Then their bolt was shot, they fell back a little, and finally lost by about 10ft.

Other crew competing:
Wesley College - Bow: A Turnbull, 2: F Stephens, 3: J Parnell, Str: W Musgrove, Cox: H Tuckfield

Heat:
E1: 1st GGS, 2nd WC. Margin 1 length. MGS secured the bye.

The Argus reported on the heat as follows:

Heats
GGS v Wesley

The competing crews started very evenly, and for two-thirds of the race were never clear, first one then the other holding a slight lead, but at last the Geelong, favoured by the bend, succeeded in winning by about a length.