Crew secures second place on their return

AFTER an extended break due to high and fast river conditions and cancelled head of the river races, Stratford Boat Club’s J16 squad were back in action, racing at Wycliffe Big Head, reports Chris Best.

Held over 4,500m on the Gloucester Sharpness Canal, the event provides an excellent standard of competition in the junior head racing season.

In a departure from normal events, Stratford fielded an VIII comprising Bryony Francis, Sophie Franklin, Josephine Cooper, Becca Smith, Tessa Parkin, Martha Baines, Martha Cooke, Millie Smith and Poppy Warren (coxswain).

Steve Wellstead, J16 coach and junior coordinator said: “The crew delivered a strong performance throughout to finish a creditable second place just ten seconds behind Kings School Chester.”