Junior Eights:
That’s a wrap on a weekend of intense racing, disappointing for some and a narrow victory for HRC. But be sure to keep your eyes glued to the Henley stretch as most of these crews return in 5 days for HRR qualifiers, for the Prince Phillip Challenge Trophy.
Surbiton High School vs Hinksey Sculling School
After a clean start, SBT held a steady lead over Hinksey, maintaining a 1/2 length difference down the course which lead to a win by 1.8 seconds. This comes as no surprise when you look at the calibre of the crew, with 5/8 of them coming second at HRR last year what once was the Junior Women’s Eights’ Final, and many achieving the same result at NSR this year.
Henley Rowing Club vs St. Edward’s School
Teddies knew they had to pull something special out of the bag if they wanted a chance to beat HRC. Their quick start and high-rate rhythm allowed them to lead by almost a length for most of the race, but unfortunately it was not meant to be, as the HRC crew remained calm and composed to make a comeback and win by a comfortable 3/4 length of clear water.
Final:
Henley Rowing Club vs Surbiton High School
Winning at HWR is one feeling, snatching it away from your opposition in the last minutes of the race is something completely different. Surbiton took the lead early on and tried their best to hold it, in a similar manner to Teddies, but once more HRC trusted in their rhythm, one which has already lead them to so much victory and did again today. These two crews are no strangers to each-other and SBT has been closing the gap since NSR, only loosing by 0.9 seconds at HWR, so it would be no surprise if they met again in the final of the Prince Phillip Trophy in just over a week at HRR, which is sure to prove an even tighter race.
Junior Coxed Fours:
After some rapid racing, credit should be given to all the crews for showing the calibre of junior sweep rowing, espcially in this notoriously difficult boat class.
Semi Finals
Aberdeen SRA vs LEH
Almost setting themselves up for a win by similar margins in their final later, Aberdeen marked themseleves untouchable, leading the race by 2 1/2 lengths and just under 7 seconds. The LEH crew set the second fastest time in the semi-finals, a testament to the efficiency of their rowing.
GGA/GHS/GWC/SAN vs Kingston GS
With the most comfortable win of the day, the composite crew managed to pull away by 5 lengths and set a comfortable time of 5.36, allowing them to save their energy for their upcoming final vs Aberdeen.
Final:
Aberdeen SRA vs GGA/GHS/GWC/SAN
A race which showed the importance of mentality in rowing; Aberdeen gained a slight lead over the composite crew, only 1/2 length in the first half of the race. However their clean blade work and sheer strength allowed them to pull away by a total of 4 3/4 lengths, taking away a decisive win of over 10 seconds
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