The VIII bowed out of Henley on Friday to Scotch College, Australia. It was a keenly fought race, in which Scotch's tactics were always going to be clear. They have a more or less flat out charge to the Barrier and then look to maintain that advantage over the rest of the course. So, in that early part of the race they established a lead of a little over a length, which The VIII reduced to half a length coming into the Enclosures. Into a really very stiff headwind and a continuing strong stream this was a considerable effort, and though Scotch pulled away a bit more in the closing stages, the boys were pleased with the way they had rowed; this was a fitting way to go out in what had been a good Henley week.
On Saturday Abingdon, as widely predicted, saw off Scotch. After containing their early charge (giving a way a lead of a canvas or so) they rowed through to win by clear water. The more nail-biting race was Hampton against Radley. Hampton took an early lead of nearly a length, but were rowed through by Radley who continued to pull away through the Enclosures. Radley always pick up speed between NSR and Henley and today's final should be a great race. The form book would favour Abingdon, but Radley could well pull it off. With a host of foreign crews here this year, the excellent standard of domestic rowing really has come through. We were less than a length from having all England semis, never mind an all England final.
OE interest today will centre on the Ladies', where Caspar Jopling will row for Harvard against Mike Evans of Leander, guaranteeing a Henley medal for one OE.
With four ECBC crews at the regatta, The VIII performing to its full potential and enjoying the week, a strong Eton Vikings crew racing (unluckily meeting a crew which I think will win the Brit in the first round), and OEs again in finals, this has been an excellent Henley for the club as a whole.
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