STRATFORD-upon-Avon Boat Club’s crews showed mixed form on the River Severn in Worcester.
The club’s women’s masters coxless quad of Ruth Poulten, Paola Ward, Clare Booth and Rona Fitzpatrick competed in the Worcester Head of The River.
However, the crew were unable to find their form, despite near perfect conditions, as they failed to repeat their success from last year over the 6km course on the River Severn.
And they were brought to a halt in the final third of the race by some erratic steering from a coxed quad which only added to the crew’s disappointment and frustration.
They eventually finished in a time of 26 minutes and 37 seconds as crew member Ward said: “Onwards and upwards to the next race.”
The club’s combined men’s masters eight with Bridgnorth Rowing Club continued their training ahead of the national eights race in London next month.
And they were hoping to back up win at Stourport Head two weeks previously with another strong showing at Worcester as the crew tried out Bridgnorth’s brand new racing Stampfli eight boat.
The crew set a lively pace at 32 strokes per minute and were rewarded with the race win in an impressive time of 20 mins and 52 secs.
Stroke, Paul Wallis said: “This was our first outing in the new boat and the race was all about getting used to the feel and run of the boat rather than focusing on just racing so to come away with a win was very satisfying.”
Stratford’s sister club, King Edward The Sixth School Boat Club, were also racing in Worcester and enjoyed a successful day on the water.
KES took the win in the J18 4x section over experienced first crews from Kings School Worcester and Royal Grammar School Worcester in convincing fashion.
The quad consisted of Tomi Wilcock, Tom Beard, Tom Wheeler and Ed Rose who produced a strong first half to the race before they extended their lead with a strong push to the finish.
KES’s rowing coach Hannah Crone said: “An exceptional time of 20 minutes and 22 seconds saw KES placed eight in the division and also placed as the second fastest quad of the day.”
