Owing to the kind intervention of Sir Robert Phillimore permission was obtained from Dr Scott to send a four up to the Henley Regatta to compete for the Public School’s Challenge Cup. Unfortunately no Schools of any note entered. The entries were Bedford, Derby, Cheltenham, Radley, Magdalen College School (Oxford), and Westminster. John Phelps, a professional sculler, was engaged to coach us, and about a week before the Midsummer term began our four came up to town to commence practise. The four was composed of the following.
| st. lbs. | |||
| Bow | R.T. Squire | 10.2 | T.B |
| 2. | W.W. Bury | 9.9 | Q.S |
| 3. | R.H. Coke | 11.6 | Q.S |
| Str. | F.G. Clarke | 11.5 | T.B |
| Cox. | G.G. Phillimore | 4.11 | T.B |
On Wednesday June 16th the crew went up to Henley and went out for a short spin in the afternoon, but their form was not calculated to inspire much hope in their friends; but on the following morning at 10 A.M they showed such a marked difference that hopes were entertained of their winning their heat against Derby and Magdalen, the latter of whom has drawn the Berks station, the former the Bucko, while we had the centre station. When the signal was given, Derby caught the water first and, rowing a fast stroke, soon began to forge ahead, Magdalen, who were a weak crew but very well together, going second. After racing a quarter of a mile Derby had drawn a length and a half in advance, and Magdalen were leading us about half a length: but by the time the Horse barrier had been reached, Derby, who had nearly led us sufficiently to take our water, came back to the other two boats, and we had begun to gain on Magdalen. A little further on Clarke, answering gamely to the shouts on the bank, spurted, and at about the half distance, drew our boat a few feet in advance; then for about a quarter of a mile a neck and neck race ensued; but before the corner was reached Magdalen’s superior style began to tell, and they drew slowly ahead, while Derby dropped behind us. At the corner, Magdalen on the inside, drew clear and from this point the race was virtually over. In spite of the gallant efforts of our crew, Magdalen increased their lead, and finally won by three lengths, Derby being about the same distance behind us.
In the second and final heats Bedford won.
Our men rowed very pluckily but their boat rolled considerably, & the advisability of having a professional oar to coach us next year is to be questioned, as our crew did not make sufficient use of their weight, but, as is the common fault of waterman, did everything with their arms. The School’s best thanks are due to Sir Robert Phillimore, J. Manisty and other O.WW. for their great kindness throughout. Probably a more detailed and, I have no doubt, more accurate account will be found in the water ledger, although the greater part of the above has been extracted from the Elizabethan Vol iii No 2.
H.C. Benbow P.O.