Rowing Report for School Assembly on
Monday 6th June 2016
At the start of Half Term, crews from all age groups, both
boys and girls, competed at the National Schools’ Regatta, held at Dorney this
year. Although the weather was generally bright and pleasant for spectators, a
cross-wind made for unfair lanes with the initial time trial crucial to
obtaining a good lane, an opportunity missed by some of our crews.
Unsurprisingly, the J14 boys and girls – still recovering
from their Bronze D of E expedition – did not quite perform to their full
potential but still raced well, both boys’ quads reaching their ‘B’ final, with
the A crew just pipped for 1st place in the race to the line.
The J15 crews also raced well with the boys’ eight vying for
the lead at half-way in the C final until a crew member blacked out.
At J16 level, the girls eight finished 6th in a
straight final against the powerhouses of girls’ rowing, then a four from this
eight reached the A final and were also placed 6th with a very
determined row. The boys’ four snapped a footplate in their semi-final, giving
them an unfavourable lane in the B final where they finished 7th.
At J18 level, the girls’ eight drew lane 6 in their
semi-final and duly finished 6th in the race, a pattern too familiar
in the weekend’s racing overall. In a large field, the quad reached the B final
and did well to finish 4th in it, to rank 11th overall.
With injury having interrupted their training over Easter, they can build on
this result in preparation for Henley Women’s Regatta. The boys’ development
eight was ranked 12th of school 1st eights, behind a further 11
Championship eights, but will be strengthened for Marlow and Henley when Rory
Harris joins the boat. Our top four raced well to reach the A final of
Championship coxless fours to be placed 7th overall. Rory kept up
our proud record of winning Championship medals at the regatta by taking the
Bronze medal in Championship Single Sculls in a field of 40 scullers – a first
for Pangbourne. At Peterborough Regatta he added to his collection of medals
and tankards with a further two wins to elevate him to Senior status and just
two wins from Elite, the highest status possible. Just over a year ago he was a
novice sculler with no wins. Now, he is eligible to compete in the Diamonds –
the prestigious single sculls event at
Henley Regatta.
Many thanks to the parents for hosting the refreshment marquee
at the National Schools’ Regatta and at the Boat Club barbecue at the end of
Half Term, where rowers and their families, totalling over 100, enjoyed a
beautiful afternoon’s weather messing about on the river.
