STRATFORD Boat Club senior squad coach Bill Sullivan declared himself delighted with the club’s achievements at Henley Royal Regatta.
The event is the pinnacle of the UK rowing season as well as being one of the places to be seen over the summer. Famous for its Pimms, its blazers and riverside picnics, Henley also boasts a tough 2,112m stretch of river marked off with unforgiving log booms on either side.
This time around, two crews from Stratford Boat Club aimed to bring back some rowing glory to the Midlands.
First up was the Wyfold Cup coxless four entry of club captain Oli Smith, Ben Smith, Alastair Collier and Harpreet Mander who were asked to go through Henley Qualifiers held the Friday before the main event.
The aim of the qualifiers was to whittle down the 60-strong entry to 32 and unfortunately, despite rowing strongly, the crew fell just ten seconds short of qualifying.
The second Stratford crew targeted the Britannia Cup for coxed fours. The crew of Chris Thomas, Ben Twiney, Tom Coles and Ed Lewry were coxed by Eleanor Willetts.
Only 16 crews were allowed entry and, due to their early season form, the crew were automatically qualified into the main draw in which they were pitched against Riverside Club from the River Charles in Boston, America.
In all, eight crews had flown in from around the world to take on Britain’s best club rowers and the Riverside Club crew were strongly fancied by many to make progress through the draw.
The race took place on Thursday morning and the Stratford crew, who had trained extensively over the course, managed to nail their start, giving them a quick half-length lead.
However, Riverside had other ideas and over 1,500m they whittled Stratford’s advantage away until the two crews reached the grandstand enclosures – about 500m from the finish – dead level.
Stratford were not to be denied and, in an epic sprint to the line, stroke man Chris Thomas raised the rate again with ten strokes to go to cross the finish line just four feet ahead.
This meant Stratford’s next opponents on Friday were St Andrew, an Edinburgh University alumni crew, containing a number of ex-GB and Canadian internationals.
After a sustained battle along the course, the St Andrew crew won by just more than a length. St Andrew went on to contest the final as well, losing by only a length to a crew from Norway.
Sullivan said: “Both Stratford crews can be very proud of their achievements. Stratford were one of only three British crews left in the Britannia Cup at the quarter-final stage and we gave the eventual finalists a real fright.
“It gets progressively harder for smaller, provincial clubs to make a mark at this level, but this is the third year Stratford have made the last eight places at Henley Royal Regatta.
“Well done to our Wyfold crew who worked so hard and showed huge commitment through all those cold winter mornings.
“Success has been built with this squad as well as the juniors and veterans squads by terrific volunteers giving up their time to nurture athletes of all abilities and encouraging them to make the most of their talents and I’d like to thank everyone who makes a contribution.”
Dawson Curnock, incoming chairman and Stratford Fun Regatta organiser, added: “That is going to be a hard act to follow this coming Sunday when we have our Fun Regatta at Stratford.
“We have taken crews from Stratford and Warwickshire companies and organisations, given them three hours of training, a boat, an experienced cox and have organised a regatta for them!
“It may not be Henley but it’s going to be fun. There will be thrills and spills, fancy dress and serious rivalry!
“Our tea rent, barbecue and bar will be open for all, competitors and visitors.”
