Juniors tackle famous Olympic course

STRATFORD Boat Club’s u16 squad travelled to the Olympic Course at Eton Dorney last Bank Holiday Monday to take part in the ‘Scullery’ Regatta. The event, run over 2,000m, attracts the finest scullers from across the country and visitors from as far afield as South Africa and Ireland.

Stratford women’s coxless quadruple scull of Isla Dunn, Maeve Dunn, Tessa Parkin and Martha Cooke took the water first in the time trial with a solid 13th place ahead of the South African Rowing Schools Union and once again closing the gap to regional rivals Hereford Cathedral School.

Next up was the women’s double scull of Martha Baines and Sophie Franklin. The pair motored through the time trial stage in seventh place thus securing a place in the B Final. Gusty conditions made the race quite an event with the pair engaging in battle with Great Marlow School to finish third.