The head racing season for Stratford upon Avon Boat Club continued with the young athletes of the Junior 15 squad competing in the Wycliffe Big Head. This event, held over 4500m on the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal, always proves a tough challenge with quality opposition from clubs and schools across the region and beyond. This year was no exception with crews including Radley College, Kings School Chester and Ross Rowing Club.
A damp and grey scene greeted the Stratford crews on arrival, however the two boats took to the water with eager
anticipation of the race ahead. As the event got underway, the gathered spectators’ cheers lifted the performance of the athletes and both crews delivered a superb sculling display.
First across the course was the mixed coxed quadruple scull of Dan Cox, Mili Wilcock, Max Griffiths, Fred Tyler and coxswain Jasmine Mountney. Rowing their own race and well in control, they finished a creditable fourth in their event.
Next up was the women’s coxed quadruple scull of Maiya James, Nixie Brunt, Mya Kenny, Alice Baines and coxswain Naomi Sergeant. Their bows scythed through the water in pursuit of the crew ahead with a final push granting them fourth place in their event also.
In warmer conditions but nonetheless just as energetic were Stratford’s J13 and J14 squads competing in the South of England Indoor Rowing Championships arranged and run by Hinksey Sculling School in Abingdon. Said J13 coach Abi Terry, “All of Stratford’s J13’s achieved Personal Bests and said they would like to compete there again next year, having all had a great day!”
In total, Stratford had two Golds, two Silvers and one Bronze medals:
GOLD
Honour Keil – WJ13B 3 minute 754m
Charlotte Syson – WJ13A 3 minute 717m
SILVER
Harriet Hodgson – WJ14A 4 minute 998m
Sophie Elstone – WJ14B 4 minute 1001m
BRONZE
Amelie Sartain – WJ14A 4 minute 991m
Millie Hodgson WJ12 2 minute also managed to achieve a great Bronze medal for Stratford Girls School achieving 489m
Said J14 coach Trevor Tiller, “We achieved some great four minute improvements from the J14 squad, everyone with a new Personal Best: we now need that inner confidence to gently coax out some more success! We’re looking forward to a good season.”
Meanwhile back in cold and damp Stratford, the Senior squad continued their Henley Royal Regatta training and WJ15 squad had trials to select the best crew combination for the upcoming the Junior Sculling Regatta.
For media coverage, please see Stratford Observer online https://stratfordobserver.co.uk/sport/stratford-crews-impress-against-quality-opposition and Stratford Observer p14 and Stratford Herald page 14
For more great pictures of Wycliffe Big Head, see Stuart Baines’ selection at https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21AowK8s9RTeNuwok&id=74FEA2456D1068E2%2178588&cid=74FEA2456D1068E2