STRATFORD-upon-Avon Boat Club’s masters women’s squad made excellent progress on the water at the Stourport Regatta.
The women’s masters C VIII coxed by Jen Carey with Amanda Bowden, Suzie Radley, Rebecca England, Jeannette Caldicot, Katie Burman, Fiona Schultz, Lucy Scarlett and Gina Fusco produced a fantastic row.
The crew took advantage of the staggered start to pull away around the outside of the bend to easily beat Avon County.
Following the race, four of the crew split into a smaller boat class and raced twice in the coxed four.
Despite being a masters crew, the Stratford squad raced at senior level (age 19 to 27-year-old) and beat Furnival B in the semi-finals before losing by a foot in the final against Furnival A.
Caldicot said: “It was a really solid row. We were neck and neck for the first half of the race, then Furnival pulled away and we came back on them. We believed we were close to coming through at the finish.”
Carey added: “Everybody gave their best, I couldn’t have asked any more of them. It was an excellent race.”
The first masters race of the day saw the Low CRI men’s VIII, stroked by David Phillips followed by Thomas Garner, David Vazquez, Tim Hayter, Gary Kinley, Dave Edwards, Andrew Lear, Richard Forrest and coxed by Jen Carey, take to the water.
The crew made a strong start, rowing at 37 strokes per minute, led by stern pair Phillps and Garner as both crews stayed level up to the 500m bend.
Eventually settling at 34 strokes per minute, the Stratford crew lost by a canvas to Bewdley following a thrilling 250m sprint to the line.
Masters vice-captain, Bowden, said: “A well rowed 1000m by Stratford, this crew is making good progress, maybe next time.”
The club extends its thanks to Dave Edwards for towing, Elisabeth Edwards for her support and all the other members who have coxed, coached and subbed in for training sessions.
Stratford also competed in the 500m sprint races as the mixed double of Schultz and Phillips battled hard in their semi-final, racing in a borrowed boat, and led all the way only to lose in the closing stages to a Derwent Rowing Club crew.
