Tag Archives: WJ17 1x

Stratford Make Short Work of Wallingford Long Distance Sculls

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On Saturday, Stratford upon Avon Boat Club’s J17/18 Performance squad had three crews in Division One and three in Division Three at Wallingford Long Distance Sculls head race. In the former, racing the 4k in the Open 4x- event, Will Shaw (bow), Seb Happel, Euan Richter and Ed Appleton came fifth overall out of two hundred and eleven crews competing and fifth in their event, pitted against strong crews from St Paul’s, Wallingford and Magdalene in a very commendable time of 15:58.7. The WJ18 4x- of Millie Smith (bow), Tessa Parkin, Martha Baines and Martha Cooke sculled very well and also came fifth in their event against strong scullers from Lady Eleanor, Henley and Wallingford in a time of 17:27.6. Finally, Imogen de Pennington sculled against twenty other WJ17 1x competitors and came third in a time of 19:32.0, a fantastic achievement for someone with only one year of sculling under her belt.

In Division Three, sculling in the Women’s 4x- event (4k), Erin Appleton (bow), Maria Ntoukaki, Imogen de Pennington and Orla Linforth came seventh in their event, putting in an excellent time of 17:18.4 on the board. In the WJ18 2x event, Tessa Parkin (bow) and Martha Baines won their event in 18:40.0, beating strong crews from Wallingford, St Edwards School, Headington and Thames Scullers. Millie Smith (bow) and Martha Cooke came fifth and sculled with great technique.

Commenting, J17/18 Coach Hugo Happel said, “The J17/18 boys and girls sculled really well on this great stretch of the Thames, really putting Stratford Boat Club on the map once more. Their attitude off the water and their determination and grit on the water is such a thing to behold. Lots to build on: well done to all athletes!”

The first race of the season for the J16 Performance squad brought beautiful rowing conditions: clear blue skies, no wind and no stream. The morning saw Connor Birrell apply himself well to the 4km course in a large field of high quality singles, finishing twenty two out of forty two competitors across two divisions. The boys double of Nathan Lebordais and Rueben Stanford had an excellent row, full of power and energy to finish second, only three seconds behind the Wallingford crew rowing on their home stretch and well clear of all the chasing boats. Such a result early in the season bodes well for the rest of the year.

In the afternoon, the girls double of Martina Bruce-Bonilla and Lilly Parsons rowed neatly and positively to finish seventh. By the time the girls singles set off, the temperature had risen unseasonably high and it was warm work for Abi Dunn who finished fourteenth and Meredith Paul who finished nineteenth and both scullers worked hard in a field of strong athletes.

For more great pictures of Wallingford LDS, see Kathy Baines’ selection https://1drv.ms/f/c/8e50dac120123b06/IgDL3-1WZD1eTb34ndqwKf3sAXiPyCK1VlATiX666n-rgfA

For media coverage, see Stratford Herald page forty seven and Stratford Observer online https://stratfordobserver.co.uk/sport/rowing-stratford-boat-clubs-performance-squads-shine-at-wallingford-long-distance-sculls

Stratford’s Masters and K.E.S. Weekend of Triumph!

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Congratulations to Heather Hayton winning the WMD1x trophy in style! Heather is no novice to the event: commenting on her win Heather said, “The River Severn is always challenging and Saturday was no different, fast stream and a cross wind. Worcester Spring Regatta was my first race in the 1x this year, it was a positive experience and a good benchmark to work from. Lovely to hear our women’s eight cheer for me on my way down the course!”

The Women’s Masters VIII was coxed by Jen Carey, stroked by new Club member, Californian Adrienne Abreu with Rebecca England making stern pair. Following behind them; Helen Helliwell, Lin Hansen, Charlotte Jones, Fiona Schulz, Gina Fusco, Claudine Pearson, taking bow seat. The crew were grateful for their experienced cox who expertly navigated the long queue for boating, as well as the race with a fast stream. The eight made a powerful and efficient start which settled into a confident rhythm to take the first race against a Worcester.

But river regattas can be unpredictable and Stratford’s opponents in the final were a Bewdley crew whose age difference gave them a six second advantage. The eight were hindered under the umpire’s command at the start costing them dearly; although they gained on their opposition, the advantage was too large to make up.

Amanda Bowden, Masters’ Vice Captain, summed up the event, “I am delighted to see Stratford Masters Women beating the opposition so convincingly in the first round. Winning the event would have been the ideal, however I felt they beat the better crew in the first race. This was another valuable learning experience for all the crews today.”

The earlier division saw David Timmins and Lucy Scarlett race against Birmingham in the first round of the Senior Mixed Doubles. It is early days for this newly formed crew, they went out in the round but had a very good row and enjoyed the race nonetheless. The Masters would like to thank Club Chairman, Dawson Curnock, for towing so early in the morning and Eric Pearson for towing back again.

Also at the weekend, Stratford Boat Club’s sister Club King Edward V1 School Boat Club headed down to Dorney Lake for the Ball Cup Regatta. First down the course for K.E.S. was A. Appleton in WJ17 1x. She had a storming scull to finish second in her heat and comfortably progress to the final. In her final she got off to a better start and finished with a very credible silver medal. Later in the morning the J18 4x of W. Dalrymple-Baker, H.Hoare, A. Mathers and M.Cullimore raced down the course progressing comfortably to the final, in the final they put everything into it but couldn’t quite out perform some strong opposition finishing in fourth place. T. Shields and H. Perry went in the WJ18 2x, this was to be Shields’ first ever race: they put in a very respectable row finishing tenth overall from fifteenth crews.

In the Girls Ball Cup Fours, the K.E.S. crew of M.Rowan, E. Cooper, J. Long, A. Appleton and cox E. Mitchell put in a very impressive performance to pull away and take the win.

Next up were the Boys Ball Cup Fours, K.E.S. had two crews entered: both crews got off to a good start settling in well and put in great performances. The A crew of W. Dalrymple-Baker, H. Hoare, A Mathers, D. Shilvock and cox, E. Mitchell won to take the Ball Cup trophy with the B crew of M.Cullimore, H. Frost, F. Groves, T. Woodcock and cox A. Appleton took the silver.

Finally it was the turn of the WJ18 4x, the crew of M. Rowan, T. Shields, E. Cooper and J. Long had a great race narrowly missing out in the win by less than half a length to take the silver medal. Commenting Hannah Crone, Head of K.E.S. Rowing said, “It was a great day for the squad coming home with five medals and winning both the girls and boys Ball Cup Fours for the second year running!”

For media coverage, please see Stratford Herald page forty four and online https://www.stratford-herald.com/sport/trophy-triumph-at-spring-regatta-9367278 and also Stratford Observer online https://t.co/tLQtd3dK1Y