STRATFORD-upon-Avon Boat Club’s scullers impressed at the Oarsport Junior Sculling head held on Dorney Lake.
A number of the club’s junior rowers showcased their potential at the venue used for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Stratford’s WJ16 quad of Lily Warren, Poppy Baines, Sophie Evans and Alice Jones took on a gruelling test of endurance and strategy over the win 1,800-metre courses.
Rowing in a field of 54 crews in their division, the Stratford quad put in a valiant effort and produced a commendable comeback in the latter half of the race but failed to secure a top finish.
Stratford’s J16 coach, Colin Bell, said: “However, the lessons learned are invaluable, and with a training day scheduled in two weeks at Dorney, they have the opportunity to refine their technique and strategy, turning the tide of their performance in preparation for the challenges ahead.”
The club’s J14 boys’ quad of Ed Appleton, James Greenwood, Seb Happel, Rory Jones and Will Shaw also raced at the Olympic standard venue for the first time.
And the quad sculled with great technique in blustery but dry conditions and showed great consistency to finish 20th out of 40 crews in their division.
J14 coach Hugo Happel said: “I’m so incredibly proud of the boys: not only did they show great skill and energy management on the water, the way they prepared before boating was exemplary.”
Stratford’s J15 squad of Maeve Dunn, Millie Smith, Tessa Parkin, Becca Smith and Poppy Warren (coxswain) competed in the coxed quadruple sculls event.
A strong start put the girls in 13th place and a battle with Wallingford Rowing Club ensued over the final 500 metres as the crew finished 21st overall out of 57 crews in their division.
Earlier in the week, Stratford’s sister club King Edward VI School Boat Club (KES) travelled to London for the Schools’ Head of the River Race.
KES entered the School Mixed Eights’ category with a crew of A. Appleton, J. Long, D. Shilvock, J. Warner, A. Mathers, M. Hall, W. Dalrymple-Baker, K. Richardson and I. Hill.
Only two of the crew and cox returned from last year’s race as KES lead off their category down the championship course as cox Hill steered superbly and kept the crew on top of their rowing.
Head of rowing at KES, Hannah Crone, said: “Finishing fourth in a very respectable time and not far off the top crews and despite their initial disappointment with the result, the crew were happy with their row and their time.
“They should all be proud of themselves for the effort and performance they put in on the back of little race experience.”
