The 1890 Intercolonial Championship Programme cover reads:
New South Wales Rowing Association.
Fourteenth Annual Intercolonial
Eight-Oar Contest,
between
Queensland, Victoria & New South Wales,
To be Rowed over the Champion Course,
Parramatta River,
On Saturday Nov. 29th, 1890.
Steamers leave Floating Jelly, Circular Quay,
at 3.30 p.m. Race to start punctually
from Ryde Bridge at 4.30 p.m.
At the kind invitation of the Messrs. Rignold
the visiting crews will witness the production of
Merry Wives
of Windsor,
at Her Majesty's Theatre,
on the evening of the race.
Organising Committee: The Right Honorable The Earl of Hopetoun KCMG (Patron), Mr C Miller
(Honorary Treasurer), Mr George E Upward (Honorary Secretary), Mr J McCormick (Honorary Assistant Secretary)
Starter: Mr A B Templeton
Umpire: Mr E Carlile
Judge: Mr H W Jenvey
1st VIC – Bow: W Hatch, 2: C Poynter, 3: F G Payne, 4: A Jenkins, 5: F James, 6:
W Watson, 7: C S Cunningham, Str: R B Nicolson, Cox: V Petherick. Average weight 11st 4lb.
2nd QLD – Bow: F W de Little, 2: W E Molle, 3: H T Bell, 4: F M Armstrong, 5: A
H G Drury, 6: C B P Bell, 7: E Colclough, Str: W A D Bell, Cox: F Slawson, Cch: J T Bell. Average weight
11st 8lb.
3rd NSW – Bow: A E Hopgood, 2: J Murray, 3: J A Read, 4: F A Styche, 5: W Moore,
6: Louis J O’Rourke, 7: J Collins, Str: Nat J McDonald, Cox: J (Sid) Hellings. Average weight 11st
6lb.
This was one of more interesting Interstate Championship races ever rowed. It was raced in rough conditions. Queensland started well taking the lead from the other two states. NSW was swamped half way through the race and withdrew. Victoria then started working their way through the Queensland lead but was repelled by Queensland who maintained a two length lead.
About a quarter of a mile from the finish, Queensland was hit with a significant wash from a passing steamer and the two seat blade was snapped. To minimize the impact of carrying him, the two man jumped overboard. The Victorians made the best of the situation surviving the wash and passed the Queensland crew.