The primary racing objective of the term has been to row as well as possible at Henley. It was with this thought in mind that the crew was entered for Marlow Regatta, not only in Senior B Eights over the full course and also in the sprint event. We were lucky not to have to race before 2 pm, so we took the opportunity to call in at Henley on the way to Marlow. The boat was put together in quick time, and the crew paddled down on the Bucks. side, before turn- ing below Temple Islan to come up the course. They did a beautiful practice start at the Regatta start — 45 — 43 — one of the neatest and most powerful starts done by a Monkton crew in the coach's poor memory. The start from the barrier was not quite as good, but still effective, perhaps because they crew knew that the rest of the course was to be paddled light. A useful outing, because it gave the crew a chance to see the course and feel Henley water underneath the boat. (It's not at all the same as the Avon.) We a rived at Marlow in good time for our first race in the Senior B Sprint Eights. Sprint Eights are a new phenomenon at regattas — encouraged by the sponsored rowing recently seen on the idiot box, and introduced to give crews more racing and spectators close exciting rowing.

SENIOR B SPRINT EIGHTS

The draw for the first race was not at all easy. Eton, Kingston Grammar School and Monkton on the three lane course. We went off with a very efficient start — 46 — 45, and the rate didn't fall below about 40 all the way down the course. 17 This start put us straight ahead of Kingston, and also ahead of Eton, though not by so much. It was a tight race all the way, and the last quarter of a minute was particularly difficult when oxy- gen was getting in short supply. The result was that MONKTON beat ETON by a canvas in 1.28. This is (as far as the coach knows) the second time that Monkton has beaten the Eton First Eight. (The previous occasion was at King- ston sprint regatta the week after Eton had won the PE at Henley.) In the second round we came up against OUNDLE, who had a bye. We started again at about 45 and very quickly estab- lished a lead. After half a minute the rate was 41, and as they reached the rafts they did not look particularly comfortable. They hit wash nearer the finish, and ere put off slightly by it, but the result was a convincing length and a half, in a time of 1.31. In the final, the line up was St. George's, who had won their semi-final in 1.28, Monkton (best time 1.29) and St. Paul's (1.34). Our start was once again excellent, but we were put off either by wash or by Thames swell quite early in the race. As the crews came past the rafts, Monkton (at 42) were leading by about a third of a length. When we reached the critical 1.10 to 1.20 area, the crew clipped the top of swell or wash. Being tired, and perhaps too excited by being in front, what might have been a minor incident (particularly in a longer race, or not near the finish), was in fact a race loser, as we dropped back to lose by three-quarters of a length, coming in second, and beating St. Paul's by half a length. The experience gained by the crew during these three races made the journey worthwhile, and the results demonstrated that there are many school and club crews that we can beat on the sprint course. The mile course rowed in the afternoon might have a different story to tell....

SENIOR B EIGHTS

The first round was St. George's, Monkton, Bedford. Our start was up to the usual standard, and the crew was relaxed and confident. They gained at least half a length in the first sixteen strokes. The stride came well (at about 38). All three crews put in 10's throughout the course, and each crew answered 10's continually and effectively. Monkton stayed in front, but the lead varied from a third to three-quarters of a length.Then they put in a special 10 with count- down near the middle of the ourse, gaining another half a length. St. George's pulled up towards the end, by which time the Monkton rate was about 36. Just when we needed a powerful and orchestrated take-home, the crew appeared to be in a daze, and continued rowing well, but not well enough to hold off St. George's, who went through to win by half a length in the fast time of 4.43. This was an excellent row, and it confirmed that the 1987 Monkton VIII can race successfully against many opponents. Their time was the secon fas- test in the heats of the event; it was faster than all the Senior C times, and would have got them through about a third of the Senior A event first rounds. An EXCELLENT day.