In the average Monkton rowing year, there are enough contenders for glory in the Sixth Form to eventually fill two eights, with brawn and some brain going into the First boat, and beauty and technique gracing the Second. This season set a new and highly encouraging trend= There was such an influx of novice oarsmen in the Lower Sixth that a Third Eight was formed, combining brawn, brain, some technique and a certain rugged beauty. This was not without problems - in terms of the crew mix psychologically, in terms of the events for which we were eligible; and most of all in the development of the rowing styles of the neophytes.

One thing that was never lacking was enthusiasm, and the whole crew developed an ability to give its all that was truly awesome. A certain lack of fluidity in movement and a certain weakness in the transfer of the power to the blade meant that speed was sometimes elusive, but effort and goodwill were there in abundance.

After some very spirited performances as a Novice Eight in the Head races, several of which found us within seconds of the Second Eight, we went into the regatta season with a certain optimism. Sadly, it is hard to find local regattas with Novice Eight events, so our races were fewer than we had hoped. However, we had some stirring rows, not least at Swindon in the Coate Regatta. where after three excellent heats, we lost in the final by half a length to a City of Oxford crew of mature men, having fought back tenaciously from a major crab halfway down the course; losing the chance of winning those pewter tankards was hard to stomach= Our season was suitably finished with an excellent row at the Thames Valley Sprints, where we came third to a school First Eight and a university crew, neither of them novice status, by under two lengths.

The manner in which a crew of such diverse skills and backgrounds pulled itself together and tried so hard was highly satisfying and praiseworthy, and I am certain that there are sparkling futures ahead for some. Special thanks to Captain, Michael Krill, who as the only non-Novice in the crew had to step aside in several events; thanks to our volatile, occasionally fiery stroke Dan Gwyther who grew in stature as a leader through the season, and to all the guys in the engine room, who with such full commitment gave everything repeatedly, notwithstanding our lack of success. It was all useful experience, and will pay dividends. Well done to a most worthy and plucky crew, who pulled themselves out of the slough of despond to really prove themselves men