Rowers return from regatta with medals
THERE was success for Stratford Boat Club at the Henley Town and Visitors’ Regatta on Saturday with medals for both junior and masters rowers, reports Chris Best.
First up from the J15 squad was the coxed quadruple scull of Millie Smith, Maeve Dunn, Martha Cooke, Isla Dunn and Bryony Francis (coxswain). After a straightforward first round victory they met Hereford Rowing Club in the final but even though they raced into an early lead, Stratford were reeled in and lost by a length.
The J15 single sculls saw Becca Smith and Sophie Franklin turn the tables on Hereford in the first round which led to them meeting in the final with Smith taking the win by just over a length. In the Band Two event Millie Smith, fresh out of the quadruple sculls final, gave chase to a quality Hereford sculler but ultimately missed out.
The double sculls of Sophie Franklin/Martha Cooke, Becca Smith/Maeve Dunn and Isla Dunn/Bryony Francis took on Hereford Rowing Club yet but were unable to claim victory.
The Henley Town and Visitors’ Regatta has roots dating back to the late 1850s. Initially known as the Henley Rowing Club Boat Races, it underwent a name change in 1887 to Henley Town Regatta with ‘Visitors’ added later to signify its welcoming stance towards rowers from clubs beyond Henley.
The event is unique in offering competitors the chance to experience the Henley course in a multi-lane format, a feature typically exclusive to venues like Dorney and Nottingham.
Stratford’s J16 Alexandra Francis took an early lead in the women’s singles event but it was her experienced opponent from St Edmund’s College – affectionately known as Teddies – who clinched victory in a classic example of endurance and expertise triumphing over youthful vigour.
The J16 double sculls event introduced a fresh duo, Theo Richter and Seth Vondrak, who faced off against a seasoned team from Hereford. The Stratford pair demonstrated promising synergy, hinting at a bright future.
In the J16 singles, a thrilling head-to-head unfolded between Ollie Rowlands and Xavier Sissins-Rofey. Rowlands, with an early lead, maintained a slender advantage for the majority of the race, but it was Sissins-Rofey who took the honours.
The senior open two coxless pair event featured Vondrak and Sissins-Rofey once again, this time showcasing their rapid progress as a crew. Having only formed a few months prior, they dominated their heat with a four-length lead, advancing confidently to the final. There, they beat a crew from the East India Club by a decisive four-and-a-half lengths.
The regatta culminated with a debut performance from a mixed J16 coxed four consisting of Theo Richter, Ollie Rowlands, Sophie Evans, Alice Jones coxed by Meg Nuttall and, competing in the senior category with minimal preparation, they beat a Curlew crew convincingly.
Stratford’s Women’s Masters D double beat Maidenhead and Thames Tradesmen’s Rowing Clubs with ease in the heats before they saw off Marlow Rowing Club in the final.
Stratford’s Women’s Masters D double beat Maidenhead and Thames Tradesmen’s Rowing Clubs with ease in the heats before they saw off Marlow Rowing Club in the final.
