STRATFORD-upon-Avon Boat Club enjoyed a stellar showing at the prestigious West Midlands Junior Championships in Hereford.
Stratford fielded a record 27 crews across various age groups with athletes from the club’s J14, J15 and J16 squads to represent the West Midlands on the national stage.
The club’s J13 boys’ crew preceded down the course in an impressive time after their opponents opted to withdraw before the start of the race.
And the girls’ quad just missed out on gold in their race, chasing down a home crew from Hereford all the way to the line.
Stratford’s J14 boys’ quad were in imperious form as they swept aside the competition to win their race comfortably.
The boys’ quad will now represent the region on the national stage in April.
And the girls’ quad produced an impressive performance in a strong field, missing out on gold by just 0.7 seconds over the 1.8km course.
In the J14 single sculls, Stratford’s Abi Dunn won gold, while Meredith Paul took bronze with Scarlet Wheeler seconds behind.
Stratford’s J15 squad were competing at the age group for the first time as Maria Ntoukaki claimed bronze in Division One in the J15 1x event.
In Division Two, Royal Shrewsbury School Boat Club proved too strong for Stratford’s J15 4+ boys’ crew of Seb Happel, Will Shaw, Ed Appleton, Rory Rowan and Rory Jones (cox).
And in Division Three, Stratford’s J15 girls 4+ crew of Ntoukaki, Orla Linforth, Erin Appleton, Ed Appleton (cox) were joined by Evesham rower Daisy Wilkes.
The crew beat strong opposition from Royal Shrewsbury to claim gold and will also represent the West Midlands on the national stage next month.
Also in Division Three, Stratford’s J15 2x of Happel and Shaw beat a raft of strong scullers and will represent the region at the Junior Inter-Regional Regatta.
J15 coach, Hugo Happel said: “Overall, a superb day with our juniors rowing with fine technique and panache.”
The club’s J16 single sculler Martha Baines finished sixth in her race.
And Stratford’s J16 coxless quad of Bryony Francis, Tessa Parkin, Maeve Dunn and Isla Dun won silver, narrowly missing out on gold.
The double sculls of Poppy Warren and Sophie Franklin and also Parkin and Josephine Cooper finished sixth and seventh respectively.
A lack of opposition ensured the J16 coxless four of Millie Smith, Becca Smith, Baines and Martha Cooke will also represent the West Midlands.
