A BLIND CREW

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 September 1927, Page 2

A BLIND CREW

OPPONENTS’ SPORTING ACTION.

Henley provided a splendid touch of human nature recently when the great regatta crowd stood up in a mighty chorus to cheer the Thames Challenge Cup eight of the Worcester College for the Blind. The incident took place in the middle of a glorious afternoon, for the murky clouds and tremendous downpour of the early morning' gave place shortly after midday to long periods of brilliant sunshine. It was the debut of the blind oarsmen at Henley, and they were pitted in heat 15 of the Thames Challenge Cup against no less redoubtable opponents than the Thames eight, stroked by Beresford. Bow No. 2, No. 3, and No. 6 of the Worcester crew are totally blind, and the remainder have extremely defective sight. Two of them are only fourteen years of age, arid the coxswain is only a boy of thirteen. In spite of these handicaps, they rowed with a long, swinging stroke, and kept well together. They went away at the start very smartly, and for nearly 'half.. a mile there . was never»';<laylighl- between the boats, though maintained a? slight Liead. close to the?Jriile pbdtwhenf'Wdrcester, who had the Berkshire berth, were seen to be irnftroubte close to the piles. Thames, who were leading by half a length, stopped rowing, It was a fine act of sportsmanship, which was not lost on the spectators. The blind crew, which had fouled the piles, became heavily disorganised, were soon clear and off again, although half the blade of No. 2’s scull was missing. ■■ Thames passed the Winning post about a length in front of Worcester amid the most rousing Scene of- the day—a tribute to the blind' men for their ■ plucky effort and' honour to Beresford and his crew for their sporting action.