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CREW : Bow: B D Kirk, W D Sibley, T R Johnson, B J Stockley, B E Naseman, S D Horner, B C M Mayhew, Str: E M Merricks, Cox: G T Pizzey, Coach: D R Jameson
Result :
I guess this is the final word of the year, a year which has been perhaps unsuccessful but which hass nonetheless seen some huge advances and some stirring rows!
Firstly, that race at Tewkesbury was a fitting way to end the season, and in some ways reflected the season that it ended! For the crew were able to row twice, both times with huge spirit. The first race, rowed with less concentration than they should have had was won by very small margin after a powerful but ragged row! The second race, after some reflection and sharp words, was a much more focused row, with some real power and direction, but ironically, ended in defeat by what can only have been a canvas! The crew knew that it had been a better race, and although we failed to reach the final, they came off the water feeling that something good had just happened.
It was good to finish the season with some close racing like that, after races which have seen some ups and downs over the last few weeks. Overall, I have been mightily impressed by the willingness and eagerness to work hard, the resilience in facing defeat and coming back again and trying hard again, and above all by the excellent camaraderie and spirits that the crew has shown throughout the season in the face of adversity and occasionally, success! I wanted to end the year with a crew barbecue, a photo and awards ceremony, but the end of term has been so pressurised that sadly, it's been impossible to find a time when it could happen. So many other things going on, but perhaps the will be a chance some time. The crew certainly deserved it.
A few words about each crew member!
No 1 Barney Kirk. Although he is forever telling us and drawing attention to the fact that he is vertically challenged, we don't notice, what we notice is his hard-working and his zany sense of humour for he does his best to take a full stroke, and those legs pack a strong punch! There is lots more to come from him, and the Bow seat was just right for his personality and skills.
No 2 Will Sibley. What a thoroughly good-natured quietly spoken young oarsman he is, with loads of strength, a hunger to do well, and an ability to listen and learn. He has a fine long stroke, and when he keeps his head up and focuses on what's going on in front of him, can row really well! He is truly the salt of the earth, great to work with!
No 3 Toby Johnson. Surely the joker of the pack, Toby has reduced us all to laughter and to tears since he joined the crew, always with a quip and an answer for everything! He is massively tall, and has long levers that should be put to good use! When he can focus, keep his head up, and concentrate entirely on what's going on in front of him, he will be a real force to be reckoned with! Great promise there!
No 4 Benjamin Stockley. Here is a real stylist, lovely smooth flowing action, and great reach. He has an acerbic wit, and a mercurial disposition that can make working with him exciting! Certainly one of the fittest in the crew, he invariably gives everything when he is rowing. Of course, the crew knows that he is so strong, he breaks the boat! Next season we will have to make sure that we have material that can resist the drive of those muscles! Very well done!
No 5 Benjamin Naseman. Ben has a reputation for always being last whatever the crew is doing(not racing), but he makes up for it in every way by his focus, concentration and hard work. As he develops more flow in his stroke, his undoubted strength and fitness will be more efficiently and effectively applied, and he will be an even more useful to of our engine rooumour!
No 6 Stefan Horner. Stef is our gentle giant, taller than anyone else in the crew (even Tonka, I think!), with a style that is developing beautifully, especially when he sits up straight, which is most of the time now! Stefan if a peacemaker, who never argues but simply gets on with the task in hand as hard as he is able. As his back strengthens and with maturity, he's going to be a superb oarsman.
No 7 Benjamin Mayhew. Ben is without doubt the strongest member of the crew, with a real hunger for competitive success and a willingness to throw every part of himself completely into shifting the boat as fast as possible. As his blade technique and style develops, he will harness every Watt of that effort ever more effectively, and satisfyingly! I always have the impression that he is trying to lift the boat along himself, single-handed, and his effort has been quite remarkable! Keep your head up, and you will be a wonderfully powerful oarsmen!
No 8 Ed Merricks. In all my years coaching J. 15 crews, I have never had a stroke who could take the rating up as far as Ed has! I think we have seen 42 on several occasions, which is unprecedented.Ed has been totally reliable and dependable throughout the season, and has done his very best to send the right message down the crew. We have been working at finding the optimum balance between rate at work, and Ed has been vital as the brain of the crew in establishing that. When he sts up straight and takes a full, long stroke, he is a most impressive oarsmen. A lot depends on him, and we are most grateful for what he has given this the last two terms! Well done!
And finally, cox! George Pizzey has all the elements of a great cox! A good brain, a good eye, an authoritativef manner, light weight and a certain cheeky bossiness! The authority occasionally results in him pursuing his own agendas, but on the whole, he has been terrific this season, and will undoubtedly develop into a most effective and successful clocks in the future. He has an engaging sense of humour, which when kept within bounds, can really lift the crew morale. George is the eyes of the crew, and its scourge! He has been effective in both directions! Well done.
There is absolutely no doubt that all in my mind, that with the excellent team spirit, the strength, willingness and application of each individual in this crew, that they will eventually become a very very successful one. It is hard to have to wait, and is not fashionable to do things that take time to develop, but I know that if they listen, adapt, learn and keep trying, by the time they reach the First Eight, they could be record beaters! I have really enjoyed taking them, and wish them all the best next term.
I would also like to say how very much we've all appreciated the huge support of all the parents involved, often orchestrated through Carol Mayhew... but EVERY time you've come to watch, provided food, and shoulders on which the cry you have lifted us so enormously and we are truly grateful! We hope that you will have a lot to be proud of in the future!
Hope you will have a great summer holiday.
Coach : D R Jameson