STRATFORD-upon-Avon Boat Club’s women’s masters team enjoyed a successful outing at the Gloucester Autumn Head.
The club entered three crews into the event with the novice four of Jane Cryer (stroke), Celia Price (cox), Katie Burman, Rebecca England and Claudine Pearson finishing just one second behind Evesham.
Price steered superbly from bow for the first time, navigating canal bridges and brambles from Cleopatra’s coffin seat with care.
And the crew, who had no points on their British Rowing licences, were pleased with their performance but disappointed to finish second behind a significantly younger Evesham crew.
The coxless quad of Jackie Joesbury, Kate Slater and Clare Pass (stroke), with Rosie Stone at bow, made a good start to their race, maintaining the lead through to the halfway stage.
However, in their first coxless quad race, the Stratford team were unable to hold off the challenge from a youthful crew from the University of the West of England.
And Stratford finished the day on a high as Suzie Radley and Amanda Bowden claimed victory in their race, beating their time from last year.
Masters women’s vice captain, Bowden, said: “This is not for the faint-hearted and takes some time to adjust. Celia did this after only one practice.
“Katie Burman was racing for the first time and Rosie Stone steering a coxless crew for the first time. I was really proud of the squad.
“It was a fun day and a win for the novice crews is on the near horizon.”
That came after Radley and Bowden attended the Pairs Head prize giving at Barnes Bridge Ladies Rowing Club in London.
The pair celebrated their doubles win in glorious conditions on the 4.5km Championship Course from Chiswick to Hammersmith.
Club captain Heather Hayton and Liz Collins also took part in the WMB2x event at the Pairs Head.
Bowden added: “We were delighted to receive our medals and a pennant plaque, for Stratford Boat Club, from the Great Britain sculler John Collins.
“John is a two-time Olympian in the double sculls and currently training for Paris.
“This was the first time I have rowed this event, it was great fun and I was delighted to have steered a good course.
“We all look forward to returning to the Tideway racing again soon.”
