1945 SATIS Northern & Southern Head of the River

First Four - North:

The Examiner described Launceston Church Grammar's win as dominant, given they won by 8 lengths in a time of 6 min 28 sec. It was their 4th win in-a-row.

Winners of the 1945 First Four at the Northern Head of the River - Launceston Church Grammar
(Source: The Examiner, 27 March 1945)

First Four - South:

The Mercury provided the following report of The Friends' School's victory: 

“Friends' was first to show out from Hutchins and St. Virgil's. Clemes dropped back early. Maintaining an even rate of striking, Friends' continued to, hold its lead, with Hutchins close-up at the half-distance. A quarter of a mile from the finish Friends' had a lead of a length from Hutchins, with St. Virgil's moving up, and Clemes in the rear. Friends' finished with good dash to win by 1¼ lengths from St. Virgil's, which came with a spirited dash towards the finish, and was half a length in front of Hutchins. Clemes was several lengths farther back.”

Winners of the 1945 First Four at the Southern Head of the River - The Friends' School
(Source: The Mercury, 26 March 1945)

Second Four - North:

The Examiner wrote that the 4th win-a-row for Launceston Church Grammar was done in a dominant display of  5 lengths.    

Second Four - South:

The Mercury described the race as thrilling as Hutchins 1 won by just 2 feet over The Friends’ School. 

Organising Committee:

Tasmanian Rowing Association

Officials:

Northern Head of the River:

Starter: Mr. A. W. Brewer

Umpire: Mr. T. A. Frith

Judge: Mr. J. Dean

Southern Head of the River:

Starter & Umpire: Major Geard

Judges: Mr. C. L. Colvin, Mr. J. Berkery & Mr. E. T. Bessell

***

Monday, April 15 - Tamar River (North vs. South):

The 1945 Northern Head of the River winners (Launceston Church Grammar School) hosted, on the Tamar, the 1945 Southern Head of the River winners (The Friends’ School) in the First Four.

In the Second Four, it was Launceston Church Grammar School against Hutchins School.

First Four - North vs. South:

Launceston Grammar and Friends’ raced over 1⅛ miles in difficult, choppy conditions due to a strong headwind. Launceston Grammar won the long race by 1¾ lengths. 

The Mercury provided this account of the North vs. South race of 1945: 

“In the senior race, over nine furlongs, Grammar' and Friends' crews got away to a good start. Stroking about 38 to Friends' shorter stroke. Grammar immediately gained a half-length advantage and was never headed. After a quarter of a mile the margin was unchanged, with Friends' quickening its stroke in an effort to draw level. At half-way, the choppy conditions had not affected Grammar's steady stroke, but Friends’ boat was rolling badly. With a quarter of a mile to go Friends' was sprinting in an effort, to overtake Grammar, but without success. With 200 yards to go Grammar put more strength into its strokes, and still displaying beautiful timing and nice body swing, began to draw away. Friends' fought on gamely, but the crew's timing was not good and its shorter stroke, made more with the arms than the legs, was not suited to the heavy going. Friends' again sprinted near the finish, hut Grammar, with timing undisturbed, crossed the line to win by a length and three quarters. The time, 8m. 13s., reflected the difficult conditions. The crews rowed into a stiff southerly which made the river choppy…Although defeated, Friends' rowed a good race and in faster conditions would have pressed Grammar very close.”

Second Four - North vs. South:

Launceston Grammar and Hutchins raced over ½ mile, with Launceston Grammar winning by 5 lengths.

The Mercury reported: 

“In the half-mile junior race, Grammar had an easy' win. Taking the lead from the gun, the local crew had a four-length lead and was going away when Hutchins caught a crab. From then onwards Grammar, employing a long, steady stroke, maintained a five-length lead for the rest of the race. Hutchins appeared far from comfortable in the conditions. The crew was not well balanced and steered an erratic course. The time of the race, 3m. 52s., compared very favourably with that of the senior crew."

Organising Committee:

Tasmanian Rowing Association

Officials:

Starter and Umpire: Mr. A. W. Brewer

Judge: Mr. T. A. Frith

(Top - First Four, Bottom - Second Four)
Winners of the 1945 North vs. South Head of the River - Launceston Church Grammar
(Source: The Mercury, 10 April 1945)