Henley Thursday - 2nd VIII and others

This evening the 2nd VIII faced Imperial College (containing Henry Goodier OE), a selected crew in what is proving to be a very competitive Temple Challenge Cup this year.  If you are in Henley over the next three days, there should be many close races and fast times to come in this event.  Anyway, back to today, it was always going to be a tall order, and Imperial moved steadily out to a lead of around 4 lengths before reducing their rate of striking.  The 2nd VIII rowed well, posting a faster time than yesterday (6.47), and closed to just over a length at the line.  It was a dignified end to what has been an excellent season for these boys.

Elsewhere Harvard (Caspar Jopling and Max Monfared) progressed perhaps less comfortably than they might have liked.  Ben Bathurst went out in the Prince Albert in his Bristol four, Steve Hermes; quad progressed in the Prince of Wales.

Henley Thursday - The VIII

In their race against Canford this morning The VIII moved out to a lead of around two lengths by the Fawley marker.  The times to the Barrier (1.51) and to Fawley (3.10) were an improvement on yesterday's, and compare favourably with the times posted elsewhere in the event.  Canford pushed hard along the Enclosures which meant that The VIII, whilst not needing to push for the line, were not able to relax either.  The margin on the line was half a length.  No doubt the boys will feel there is more to come in the quarter-final tomorrow.

Races tomorrow

Tomorrow in the Princess Elizabeth The VIII will race Canford at 1105, in the Temple the 2nd VIII face Imperial College, London, at 1830.  Steve Hermes rows in his quad in the Prince of Wales at 1010.

Henley Wednesday

In our first race of the day today the 2nd VIII beat the University of Birmingham. In an exciting race they took an early lead of a quarter of a length. Some spirited defence saw them maintain a lead of between a canvas and a quarter of a length until the enclosures where they pulled away to win by two thirds of a length.
The VIII subsequently beat St Georges College comfortably, pulling away to a lead of 2 lengths to take control of the race by Fawley. They steadily reduced their rate to finish three quarters of a length ahead at 31.
Opponents and times for tomorrow to follow.

Henley Wednesday

In the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup (for school 1st VIIIs) The VIII will race against St George's College at 1610.  In the Temple Challenge Cup (for university and college crews) the 2nd VIII will race the University of Birmingham at 1435.

Amongst OEs, watch for Ben Bathurst (Bristol in Prince Albert), Hugh Cooper and Felix Chapman (Bristol, Temple), Charlie Landale (TCD, Temple), Mike Evans (Leander in the Ladies later in the week), Max Monfared and Caspar Jopling (Harvard freshmen in Temple).  There are bound to be others (Henry Goodier for IC?) I have missed, but those are the ones I have seen at regattas or in Henley.

Henley

As you may have noticed, the second half of term has been a little hectic, and the dear old blog has been a little neglected.  However, a combination of the end of term drawing near and Henley, has caused the phoenix to rise from the flames.  Qualifiers first, then another post for Wednesday's races.  In the qualifying races the 2nd VIII were again the only school crew to qualify for the Thames Challenge Cup (for universities and colleges).  Colts A posted a respectable time in attempting to qualify for the same event.  In a huge field trying to qualify for the Fawley Challenge Cup (junior quad sculls) members of the 3rd VIII and Colts B performed very well, to finish around the top third of all qualifiers, taking some notable scalps along the way, but only 8 crews from 61 were due to qualify.

Start of the summer half

Apologies for a period of radio silence; the late Easter has meant an even more hectic start to the summer half than usual.

Not many of my thoughts on Wallingford can be posted on a public forum.  The ever ambitious programme of racing and heads being kept firmly in the sand despite a consistent weather forecast and a settled weather system bringing stiff North Easterly winds (a crosswind at the Lake) meant that the afternoon could only really have one outcome.  Conditions weren't dangerous (straight headwinds and tailwinds make conditions dangerous because you get waves on the Lake), it's just that no-one could get any races started (or be bold enough to send away crews which couldn't attach).

However, Upper Boats came out of the day pretty well, with The VIII beating all school opposition (including Radley who must be one of our main rivals this year) and half the 2nd VIII got to win in a coxed four, beating a late Maidstone entry with some international pedigree.  Those lower down the club weren't lucky enough to be able to get so much from the day.

This weekend saw us hosting the annual 'BASHER' races at the Lake, whilst four members of The VIII were away racing for GB in Munich.  There was plenty of exciting racing (all completed ahead of time) and there were many good results for the club.  Junior Colts have clearly been making up good ground, and they won an all J15A race against Hampton, Abingdon and Westminster.  The 3rd VIII which has come into being this half has a bit of pedigree, and they put in two pleasing multi-lane races, winning both.  The 2nd VIII saw off rivals Abingdon to be the fastest crew of the day.

All in all, the club is in good shape with three weeks to run until National Schools'.  Fingers crossed for a smooth run in.