27th April to 7th May 2004

After the win at Birmingham Regatta the J16‘s were in confident mood going into this regatta. The squad were obliged to split into two fours as there was no competition in the eights race. This was a good thing because, firstly, it meant that outings in the eight could not become repetitive. Secondly, they had to concentrate harder on their technique in order to achieve balance in the fours, and thirdly, it instilled an air of healthy competition into the squad.

8th May 2004

On the day itself, preparation for the race was as good as it could have been considering the weather. The ”B• crew were up against an inexperienced Bath Minerva four in the semis. The race went according to plan and Monkton quickly took the lead. As they passed the 200 metre mark they were several lengths up and were continuing to battle hard. A lesson they can learn for next time is that when they have such a commanding lead they can afford to drop the rating and preserve themselves for the final. At the finish the verdict was a win for Monkton ”B• ”easily•.

As it happened, the final materialised as a race between the two Monkton crews for second place. The strong Monmouth crew established a commanding lead early on in the race and never looked like relinquishing it. The Monkton ”B• crew had edged in front of the Monkton ”A• crew and were about half a length up at the 200 metre mark. It was a great race between the two crews and in the second half of the race they drew closer causing a clash of blades. At the finish the ”B• crew were just down on the ”A• crew to finish third. The race showed that the two crews are extremely equal and bodes well for future eights racing. Thanks to George Pizzey, the Junior Colts cox, for coxing the ”B• crew.

Coach : G A C Troup