Appendix 4. Club spirit – the Mitchell Cup, Rugger Boats and such matters. #

It has been said by more than one Master, that “If the boat club is healthy, so is the College.” The Mitchell Cup is a measure of that health, and Peterhouse has been high in the standings many times.

May 1956 #

On display were trophies for C.U.B.C. Clinker IVs, Fairbairn Junior Sculls, Lowe Double Sculls, Bedford Junior Sculls, College Junior and Senior Sculls, London Rowing Club Colleges Regatta, and of course the Fairbairn Cup and the C.U.B.C. Lent Plate. The three-handled Mew Cup, used for pouring Guinness over new boats, is there (front R).

Yet to be added were the Mitchell Cup, the Ladies Plate and the Colquhoun Sculls. The gentleman in the left hand portrait behind us, Lord Kelvin (perhaps the most prominent man of science since Newton), won the Colquhouns handily in 1843 and kept in touch with the club long after returning to Glasgow. He must have smiled down on Martin.

Our Rugby club was well represented and added to the number of boats we had on the river that year. Good things, Rugby clubs – lots of enthusiasm. Is it that flogging along a river backwards, and running headlong into other people on a muddy field, both provide healthy escape from books? Mens sana and all that? The gang must have been a poetic lot, although that wasn’t obvious at the time, witness the following, reprinted with permission from David van Rest ‘53.

In years to come when we perhaps are dead,

They'll laud  this year when Peterhouse went head

Of Lents. Hearken then and listen well

To hear the story as the muses tell.

Successive captains down to Hewlett and Leach

Had made the club a high position reach,

And then long Oxley well his men he [led.]{.underline}

They made three worthy bumps and reached the head.

Much thanks to Taylor (coach). He knows the bumps

Between both boats and also metal lumps.

The fates looked down on Peterhouse and let

Three boats make three bumps each and set

The muse to coach the Rugger boat. The bard

He rode the bank and made the crew go hard.

“Spring is the time for courtship and for mating

And spring will also give a higher rating.”

Replied the lads of Peter’s Rugger boat:-

We’ll punch it through and forward gently float."

At first they missed, then faster plied the oar

And caught the men of Sydney Sussex four

Then Queens and Lady Margaret seventh crew.

The fates discussed and said that that would do.

####### That night they drank much beer and wine as well

And praised the fates and later burnt a shell.

And mid the snow they yearned for summer days

And hoped they’d bring success in  Mays.

Who was the bard? The rugger club have guessed

Behind this doubtful shield he liked to REST.