Marlow is the traditional training ground for Henley crews, and the entry this year was of the usual high standard. The Senior eights events were heavily subscribed, and there were no easy races.

There was a head wind which resulted in slow times over the downstream mile course, and water conditions were not at all easy, with swell stirred up by umpires' launches and pleasure craft.

In Senior III Eights, we were drawn on the outside lane against Barclays Bank and Abingdon School. The crew unusually did a poor start, having been caught off guard by the starter. Abingdon gained three-quarters of a length quite quickly. (We had gone up on them at NSR). Barclays also gained a quarter of a length. The first 500 metres was scrappy, and not at all true to form. Barclays Bank blades were close (even interlocking at times), and water conditions were rough. There was a special effort at the 500 metre mark, when we immediately gained about three-quarters of a length on Barclays. This was most encouraging, as some of our tens in the past have been ineffective. The rest of the race was an even match, and we had two more effective tens. The 'take home' ten was better than before, and the crew was not displeased with the result. Abingdon finished some two lengths in front of us. The time (5.28) was not fast compared with times done later in the day, but we had to put up with a strong wind.

The Sprint Eights race was against Marlow and London Rowing Club. The crew did an excellent practice start before the race. The race itself was scrappy (water conditions still very difficult). We stayed level with the other two crews for over half the course, but then faltered in some rough water. We came in third, just over a length behind the other crews. Rowing technique has improved in the past three weeks, but there is still further work to do on rhythm and attack.