Novices Lose Semi-Finals ... 1974

Stourport's attempt to win an elusive Novice Fours pot was foiled in two semi-finals last weekend. In heat wave temperatures, one crew was defeated at Maidenhead while another lost at Penarth.
The Maidenhead four consisted of Mark Cook, John Timmins, Steve Downes and Henry Evans, cox Kevin Morris, beat a powerful Thames crew in their first heat, but had no answer in the sweltering conditions for Quintin in their semi-final, losing a good race by a length and a half.
Meanwhile at Penarth, Stourport defeated Llandaff 'A' and Llandaff 'B' to get into their semi-final before losing a tight race by 2/3 length to Llandaff 'C'. This crew was made up of Steve Webster, Adam Harris, George Handley and Peter Tongue, coxed by Chris Downes.
Keith Barwise came closest of all the weekend competitors to a win by losing in his semi-final by 2/3 length to the eventual winner. He is in a very strong position for a novice win before the end of the season, as indeed the two fours appear to be.
R. Lloyd Report August 1974