1916 SATIS Head of the River

Below is an excerpt from the Hutchins School magazine from June 1916 providing some further details of the inaugural race:

“The course was a straight-out one and half miles, from a point above Government House Point to a point opposite the naval jetty. The crews were got away to an excellent start, except in the case of Scotch College, who were rather slow off the mark. Launceston Grammar, Leslie House, and Friends' soon went out together, and off Government House Point, they were going neck-and-neck, about a length ahead of Hutchins, who had a couple of lengths to the good from St. Virgil's, while Scotch College were half a length awry last. Off the gunpowder jetty Leslie House and the Launceston Grammar School were together, and fighting every inch of the way, while Friends' were lying handy, about a length behind, St. Virgil's, a light crew and rather short of training, were fourth, but were tiring visibly. Some little way behind, Hutchins were about on equal terms with Scotch College. It was a ding-dong go from this point to the finish between Leslie House and the Launceston Grammar School. Both crews showed fine form and plenty of grit and determination, and the Leslie House boys, though lighter than the Northern crew, and perhaps not quite their equals in point of style, though both were good, drove their boat along splendidly. Their cox, too, steered with excellent judgment. Nevertheless, the issue was in doubt to the very last; indeed, it looked as if the Launceston Grammar were going to get the decision, for as they approached the line their boat had its nose in front but the Leslie House crew came at it gamely and won right on the last stroke. They got in ahead. and lifted their boat over the line a couple of feet ahead of their rivals. Friends' were three quarters of a length away third, and Hutchins had pulled up and were about the same distance away fourth. The Leslie House crew a splendid race, and fully deserved their win. They have been training from the Buckingham shed, and their performance reflected credit on their coach, Mr. Don Hughes. But, indeed, there was not much to choose between the first three crews, and average form shown all of them was ahead of that seen in any previous schools’ race. The time was particularly good.”