STRATFORD Boat Club rowers arrived at Henley Town & Visitors’ Regatta with three untested senior men’s crews, but with every confidence good results could be achieved and so it proved.
The first race was the eights and the lack of preparation showed early as Stratford were left behind at the start by a strong Vesta crew.
Coxed by Amie Jones, the Stratford crew picked up the rate as they came towards the finish line and managed to save the race and force a re-row. The result was better in the second race and Stratford set up an exciting final against local rivals Warwick.
The extra race had cost Stratford dear though and they were easily beaten by a well-practised Warwick crew.
Next up was the senior men’s quad comprised of Alastair Collier, Max Marcus, Tom Marshall and Edward Press. The race was close-run and the Stratford crew fought hard to finish second and, again, the crew was happy with the result as this was their first race together.
The final race was the coxed fours and the Stratford crew was stroked by Mike Hourigan, followed by Ben Twiney, Patrick Hourigan and Oli Smith.
After a scrappy start, the crew found themselves in contention but soon afterwards a technical issue caused the crew to lose ground.
Another second-placed Stratford finish was the outcome and the squad now look forward to racing at City of Oxford Rowing Club Regatta and will be better prepared next time out.
Meanwhile, back on the course, the Stratford Boat Club junior squad picked up the baton with Mya Kenny and Nixie Brunt racing in the J15 single scull event.
Brunt put in a superb show to remain level with her opposition from Maidenhead Rowing Club until the halfway point when a major push from the Maidenhead sculler edged her ahead to victory.
Kenny also sculled well, making a strong start, but energy reserves already depleted from a week-long training camp on the Tideway ran short and her opposition took the win and the event trophy. Stratford’s WJ four was also in action.
Stratford Boat Club is looking forward to another couple of busy weeks with the third of their junior summer camps.
Junior co-ordinator Steve Wellstead said: “We have now had 60 juniors through our massively popular summer camps and the potential we have seen has been amazing. This bodes well for our new junior intake in September.”
