Rebecca England and Thomas Doherty represented Stratford upon Avon Boat Club at Burton Regatta on Saturday. Racing in the mixed masters D/E double sculls, they faced an older Loughborough crew who consequently had a head start. The 1.1km course included several tricky bends which had got the better of many a crew in the morning division. However, after a fast start and some hard steering around the first corner, the Stratford 2x caught and overtook their opponents. Maintaining a good length through the straight and into the long, final bend, England and Doherty were able to extend their lead, taking victory by five lengths. 

Later in the weekend, Stratford Women’s Masters joined forces with Bewdley Rowing Club to row as a composite eight at the prestigious Henley Masters Regatta. A clear win of one and a quarter lengths over the 1km course on Saturday against Champions of the Thames (Cambridge) took the crew through to the semi-final on Sunday. Despite the rising temperatures, the crews were well matched for the first half of the race but Wallingford composite pulled away, winning by one and three quarter lengths, going on to win the whole event for Masters F category. The Stratford crew comprised Jane Cryer (4), Abby Symonds (3), Caroline Collins (2) and Gina Fusco (Bow). Commenting Jane Cryer said, “It was such a privilege and joy to row on the Henley Royal Regatta course and under such beautiful conditions. We gave two very gutsy rows and are really pleased with our results and especially how collaborative the sport of rowing is when two clubs come together to race.”

Stratford’s adaptive squad also competed over the weekend at Llandaff with a good row from Gillian Middleton despite the wind.

Commenting on the day, parent Chris Owen-Smith said, “Thank you Mark for all the coaching, driving, organising, rigging, de-rigging and everything else you do for us. A great day today and well done to everyone there. What a fabulous team effort! The chairman of Llandaff Rowing Club approached Edward at the end of the regatta and awarded him a medal for his effort after hearing about it being his first J14 mainstream event and coming so close to winning it. They are such a welcoming club and the regatta has a brilliant atmosphere!”

Commenting further on the day’s racing, Mark Dewdney, Stratford’s Head Adaptive Coach said, “The athlete who beat Edward won his later final easily: he is winning regularly so Edward is still very competitive in the mainstream able bodied category.”

Stratford’s Jake Blatcher also won Men’s 1x category and Paola and Ian Ward v Josh & Ethan were in an all Stratford epic. The Stratford mother and son combo won by half a length.

Edward Owen-Smith in his first mainstream J14 event missed a stroke near finish and opposition took advantage to win by a few feet even though Edward was in lead 20m from finish.

For media coverage, see Stratford Herald online https://www.stratford-herald.com/sport/duo-are-victorious-after-success-for-stratford-pair-at-burto-9475051 and page fifty three