1910 Head of the River

1st Wesley College - Bow: G C Rowe, 2: W H Kaighin, 3: Reginald McClure Abernethy, 4: N Surgeon, 5: R C Kershaw, 6: W L Armstrong, 7: H S Dickenson, Str: J L Doubleday, Cox: N S Edmondstone, Cch: Charles Donald
2nd Melbourne Grammar - Bow: K D Watson, 2: R G Larkin, 3: R R Hill, 4: A M Forbes, 5: B D Wilson, 6: C R Sheldon, 7: L R Marks, Str: H Gellion, Cox: C R B Norton, Cchs: A J Sheppard & I E Giles
3rd Scotch College - Bow: Frank W Fay, 2: Walter A Edmunds, 3: Gordon O Robertson, 4: Clive H Disher, 5: Joseph H Kelso, 6: James R Morrison, 7: Robert McCracken, Str: Clive S Steele, Cox: Leonard T Mullett, Cch: Albert G Lindblade

Melbourne Grammar Crew - Back row (from left): Mr A.J. Sheppard, R.R. Hill, R.G. Larking, R. Watson and Mr I.E. Giles. Seated: A. Forbes, C.R. Sheldon, H. Gellion, L.R. Marks and B.D. Wilson. Out front: R. Norton (cox)

Photo reproduced with permission from MGS archives

The Age reported on the final well.

Though the weather was fine, a rather strong breeze blew up the river, which the crews had to battle against in the race, and it made the task of the crews in getting to the moored boats, and keeping their racers straight much more difficult than on Saturday. Wesley had the north station, Melbourne Grammar the centre and Scotch College the south station. To an excellent start the three crews broke away on even terms, but in the run to the bridge the Scotch College crew, slightly favored by their position, drew ahead, and just after passing the bridge were about a half length ahead of the other two crews, who had covered nearly 200 yards on almost level terns. Soon after passing the bridge, Wesley and Melbourne Grammar gradually drew up to the Scotch College crew, Wesley moving the faster. At the bend on the north side, Wesley had drawn level with, and were forging ahead of, the Scotch College crew; and the Melbourne Grammar crew did likewise, and took second place. Wesley, at this stage, led Melbourne Grammar by nearly half a length, Wesley had settled down to a solid stroke with good propelling power, and their boat forged inch by inch further ahead of the rival craft. Down the long reach Wesley moved further ahead of Melbourne Grammar, who also added to their lead from the Scotch College boat. The race ended in 5mins. 33 sec., Wesley College winning by a length from Melbourne Grammar, who defeated Scotch College by a length and a half. Winners and losers were heartily cheered, and thus ended the race for ‘Head of The River' for 1910.

Other crews competing:
Xavier College - Bow: B J Sheppard, 2: J A Mahony, 3: J B Cussen, 4: C J Quinlan, 5: E J Ryan, 6: P J Morrissey, 7: R P MacGillicuddy, Str: John S Kerry, Cox: A B Cussen, Cch: Jack Fogarty
Geelong Grammar - Bow: W L Cooke, 2: F H Lascelles, 3: A J Bartlam, 4: C F Drought, 5: C H Rowan, 6: C N Armytage, 7: W R Allen, Str: A Spowers, Cox: R Chomley, Cch: A F Garrard
Geelong College - Bow: A D Gunn, 2: J C Kininmonth, 3: G C D Reid, 4: C L Young, 5: E Hearne, 6: J D Blair, 7: F M Collocott, Str: W A S Dunlop, Cox: J M Broughton, Cch: William H Pincott

Heat results:
E1: 1st MGS, 2nd GC, Time: 5:13.0, Margin 2 lengths
E2: 1st SC, 2nd XC, Time: 5:07.0, Margin 3/4 length
E3: 1st WC, 2nd GGS, NTT, Margin 4 feet

The Argus reported on the heats.

First Heat (MGS v Geelong College)

Rowing with a nice swing and a good length in better form than shown in practice, the Grammar School were soon in a favourable position. The Geelong College crew rowed well together and brightly, but were not swinging far enough forward, and the result was they were not getting a commensurate amount of stroke for the distance they were travelling up and down their slides. They stuck gamely to their tasks although behind, but were beaten by two lengths in 5 mins 13sec.

Second Heat (Scotch v Xavier)

It was generally anticipated that Scotch College would score a comparatively easy win in this event, and the excitement was great when it was seen that the boats were level at Brander’s Ferry and Xavier were rowing well together well in mid stream where the strongest current was running. Scotch College, however relieved the anxiety of their friends at about three quarters of a mile by urging their boat slightly ahead. The stern half of Xavier’s crew then weakened, and could not answer their opponent s spurt. Mr. Ross, their coach in previous years ascribed the change which came over the race to the pipe band of the Scottish regiment striking up at that moment on the south bank, and encouraging the Scotch crew while it dismayed Xaviers. He will profit by the experience and have the Irish pipers advantageously posted next year. Scotch won by three quarters of a length in 5 mins 7 secs.

Third Heat (Wesley v Geelong Grammar)

This was the best of the heats. The crews came rather close together at Duke’s Bridge but at a warning from the umpire the Geelong crew got well over to the north. Wesley swung into the straight with well over half a length lead, but Geelong Grammar were rowing with a quick uniform lift, and as though they could go miles at the pace. At Brander's Ferry Wesley were just half a length to the good, and the stern of the Geelong boat was sweeping along unmistakeably past the stretchers and thwarts of the leaders. A desperate spurt was imperative and Doubleday, the Wesley stroke, made it, well backed by his crew. They increased their lead to nearly three quarters of a length, but it was Geelong’s turn then. Lieut-Colonel Garrard their coach, sounded a shrill railway guard whistle, which was the only sound to be heard through the din of cheering and yelling which was going on on both sides of the river. Spowers called on his boys, and again that ever travelling stern passed along the Wesley bow side, but it was loo late. The race ended with Geelong needing still 4ft to make up. Though the shouting ceased, it was a long time before the excitement died down and the crowd remained discussing the race long alter the judge had given his decision.

1910 Wesley College Crew