Stratford Boat Club's J16s show they can compete with the best
COACH Sam Hill praised Stratford BC’s J16 squad for showing they can compete with the best after their fine performances at the Junior Sculling Regatta at Dorney Lake.
Charles Happel sculled brilliantly over the 1,900m time trial to finish seventh out of 13 scullers in his event, missing out on the A final by 1.5s.
The double of Charlotte Isbell and Grace Beason acquitted themselves well, while Amalia Richardson, Harriet Noyes, Maddie Hall and Kate Richardson finished seventh out of 21 crews in the quadruple time trial.
In the B final, the Stratford quad made a sensational start, leading the field by a quarter of a length after seven strokes. Tideway Scullers edged back after 500m and were then in front after 1,400m. Stratford pushed hard in the final 500m and came home second.
J16 coach Hill said: “The J16s showed great skill and determination this weekend, proving they have what it takes to compete with the best.”
In addition to the J16s, some of the club’s J17s headed to Dorney Lake to compete for the first time this season in small boats.
First up was the double scull of Tomi Wilcock and Will Beattie, who managed to come home in a creditable seventh place, less than three seconds away from the A final. Next to go was Toby Sartain in the single sculls and he finished 13th with a solid technical performance.
Lastly, Freya Watts, who had never raced in a single at a national competition before, crossed the line in ninth.
J17/18 performance coach Abi Terry said: “This was a great event to give the squad a real test against some top opposition. Next up is the National Schools Regatta at the end of May.”
Also rowing at Dorney Lake was Stratford’s sister club, King Edward VI School BC, in the Ball Cup, a competition which they founded.
KES won gold in the quad and a silver in the coxed four events.