Junior Colts A
Who could have guessed, looking at the twenty or so young athletes down to row in this age group for the season, what heady highs and awful lows awaited them over the weeks ahead!
After several weeks of fitness tests and outings, eight young men of size and promise, some with experience, some complete novices, presented themselves as the "A" crew. There was good will, muscle power and ambition, and they concentrated hard at technique and fitness, working well to become a unified, synchronised machine. Commitment and willingness was impressive, and we we looked forward to putting them to the test.
Unfortunately, Henley Schools Head was cancelled, due to a sewage spillage, so Avon County Head at Saltford was our first row "in anger". However, on the Saturday of the cancelled Head, Pangbourne College kindly invited us to row with them over their wonderful six kilometre stretch of water, against their Junior Colts, who were clearly a very strong, competitive crew, who had been together for several years. Ergometer times were bandied about (could number seven of their crew really do 6:40?) As we rowed beside - or behind them, we felt distinctly agricultural !
But - this acted as a galvanising force, and the work that the crew put in over the next two weeks or so was focused and meaningful. By the time that we left for the Schools' Head, we were leaner, more together and quite fired up. By this time we were realising that our cox, (who being an oarsman himself, was slightly unwilling to steer), was a real pearl - intelligent, cool headed and far sighted - at least, on the water! Thanks, Andy! So - the crew went out, did their stuff as well as they could, rowing fiercely and as one man, very well steered - and then returned to school. Imagine the delight on our return to discover that not only had we won the Novice J15 eights by over ten seconds, not only had we beaten more than half of the J15 eights, but most gratifying of all, we had beaten Pangbourne by a whole second. Wild rejoicing and well deserved, beautiful medals! What promise - and what a regatta season to look forward to! Could we win the "B" class at National Schools? What an incentive, and the crew rose to it magnificently!
Alas - it was not to be. For reasons best discussed elsewhere, the crew was broken up. What a cruel blow, for even the day before the crisis broke, they were looking strong and mean - I have it all on video! Morale hit rock bottom - but suffice it to say, the five crew members remaining refused to be daunted, reformed as a four and contested several regattas - Avon County, Bridgnorth and Thames Sprints. The first two races started very well, in the lead, but tenacity and the belief in themselves was lacking in the final hundred metres. The outing at Reading was the most satisfying, well together and powerful - our stroke really learned how to "change gear" and take the rating up, and there was fire and enthusiasm - they came a close second to St. Edwards, beating Tiffin.
Overall - a season of enthusiasm, of joy and sadness, of lessons and pain - but of great success, too. I have greatly admired the spirit of the crew, of their friendliness, willingness to work - and their great generosity, too. In Henry Bailhache, a powerful, unshakeable stroke of huge tenacity, followed by 'Ed' Lycett, an ustinting powerhouse and A1 fitness freak! Tim Kung, a gentleman and our 'Mr. Muscles', a possible future stroke! 'Big Man' Jonny Hopper, with amazing reach and light hands, and Kieran, hard man and hard worker! Enoch Chan, who never says a word, even of complaint, but gives everything he has...and more! Alan Ritchie the 'athlete', possibly our most stylish oarsman, and Peter Norris of the 'hair'...short or long, but also a great stylist making a great bow pair... A great group of students, brilliant to work with - and for all of them, a promising future in rowing - here's to next year's Colts!
DRJ
Junior Colts A
Who could have guessed, looking at the twenty or so young athletes down to row in this age group for the season, what heady highs and awful lows awaited them over the weeks ahead!
After several weeks of fitness tests and outings, eight young men of size and promise, some with experience, some complete novices, presented themselves as the "A" crew. There was good will, muscle power and ambition, and they concentrated hard at technique and fitness, working well to become a unified, synchronised machine. Commitment and willingness was impressive, and we we looked forward to putting them to the test.
Unfortunately, Henley Schools Head was cancelled, due to a sewage spillage, so Avon County Head at Saltford was our first row "in anger". However, on the Saturday of the cancelled Head, Pangbourne College kindly invited us to row with them over their wonderful six kilometre stretch of water, against their Junior Colts, who were clearly a very strong, competitive crew, who had been together for several years. Ergometer times were bandied about (could number seven of their crew really do 6:40?) As we rowed beside - or behind them, we felt distinctly agricultural !
But - this acted as a galvanising force, and the work that the crew put in over the next two weeks or so was focused and meaningful. By the time that we left for the Schools' Head, we were leaner, more together and quite fired up. By this time we were realising that our cox, (who being an oarsman himself, was slightly unwilling to steer), was a real pearl - intelligent, cool headed and far sighted - at least, on the water! Thanks, Andy! So - the crew went out, did their stuff as well as they could, rowing fiercely and as one man, very well steered - and then returned to school. Imagine the delight on our return to discover that not only had we won the Novice J15 eights by over ten seconds, not only had we beaten more than half of the J15 eights, but most gratifying of all, we had beaten Pangbourne by a whole second. Wild rejoicing and well deserved, beautiful medals! What promise - and what a regatta season to look forward to! Could we win the "B" class at National Schools? What an incentive, and the crew rose to it magnificently!
Alas - it was not to be. For reasons best discussed elsewhere, the crew was broken up. What a cruel blow, for even the day before the crisis broke, they were looking strong and mean - I have it all on video! Morale hit rock bottom - but suffice it to say, the five crew members remaining refused to be daunted, reformed as a four and contested several regattas - Avon County, Bridgnorth and Thames Sprints. The first two races started very well, in the lead, but tenacity and the belief in themselves was lacking in the final hundred metres. The outing at Reading was the most satisfying, well together and powerful - our stroke really learned how to "change gear" and take the rating up, and there was fire and enthusiasm - they came a close second to St. Edwards, beating Tiffin.
Overall - a season of enthusiasm, of joy and sadness, of lessons and pain - but of great success, too. I have greatly admired the spirit of the crew, of their friendliness, willingness to work - and their great generosity, too. In Henry Bailhache, a powerful, unshakeable stroke of huge tenacity, followed by 'Ed' Lycett, an ustinting powerhouse and A1 fitness freak! Tim Kung, a gentleman and our 'Mr. Muscles', a possible future stroke! 'Big Man' Jonny Hopper, with amazing reach and light hands, and Kieran, hard man and hard worker! Enoch Chan, who never says a word, even of complaint, but gives everything he has...and more! Alan Ritchie the 'athlete', possibly our most stylish oarsman, and Peter Norris of the 'hair'...short or long, but also a great stylist making a great bow pair... A great group of students, brilliant to work with - and for all of them, a promising future in rowing - here's to next year's Colts!
DRJ