Over 240 competitors raced at Stourport on Severn regatta last weekend, with 2 divisions each day. In amongst them were 30 rowers from Monmouth Rowing Club. The organisers had to contend with some late call off's, which affected some of the planned MRC crews; but the team at Stourport did a great job - a well organised and friendly event.
As ever MRC arrived early on Friday and were able to set up their marquee in a well placed location, offering shelter to the squad against the elements - and as ever in a British summer they contended with bright sunshine and a bit of rain! Super towers James and Louise safely delivered the boats and associated paraphernalia to Stourport [and brought them back after the conclusion of racing]
In keeping with the usual pattern, coach Tim Male used the event to give experience to the less seasoned rowers, offering opportunities to row with experienced members, and for the experienced rowers to race with fellow squad members.
Six crews were in action in Division 1 on Saturday; starting with a the Women's C quad of Fliss, Jayne, Jo and Rachel R. Looking very much in control, despite their lack of race experience, the quad raced into the final by beating local rivals Hereford by 2 lengths.
They couldn't quite match the result in the final, having to concede a handicap time to their slightly older opponents from Minerva Bath, a handicap they nearly overcame but their more experienced opponents crossed the line first, with a lead of 1 1/4 lengths.
In the open double, George K and Ben M showed their winter training had paid off when they powered through their semi final opponents from London [Furnivall] to win by 2 1/2 lengths; and repeated the feat when they took on the home club to win by a large margin.
An experienced open F4- crew of Nick Hooton, Toby H, Colin L and James A overcame an 11 second handicap to beat their older opponents from Royal Chester by a verdict of "easily"; in a straight final.
Going straight to the final, the women's E8, coxed by coach Tim M, had an experimental look about it. The crew of Louise A, Liz L, Kate Hooton, Paula N, Sue S, Kathryn D, Dawn B, and Bonita B put up a great fight and were able to beat a strong Bewdley crew by 1 1/2 lengths. It was also Paula's first MRC pot.
Another development crew, the open coxed E4 had a bye into the final, where they met a Bewdley crew that had benefited from a semi final race. The crew of Mike S, Ewart B, Geoff H and Jon M were encouraged down the course by cox Jamie D, but they found their opponents had too much experience, losing by 1 1/2 lengths.
In the second division, some tricky steering by Tim E saw him just miss out on going through to the next round, beaten by his opponent from Bridgnorth by just one length.
The open composite quad of Jamie D, George K, James B [on loan from Bristol RC] and Harry D put their power to good use, beating Furnivall in the semi final, before beating a second Furnivall crew in the final by 1 1/2 lengths.
In a rare sight, coach Tim M jumped in his single to demonstrate he is still a very able oarsman; beating his opponent from Derwent Water by over a length.
Another experimental crew of Toby H, Nick Hooton, Colin L, James A, Julian S, Ewart B, Andy D, Mike S and cox Kathryn D couldn't match the power of their opponents from Bewdley crossing the line 2 lengths behind the deserving winners.
In the low CRI women's double, Fliss and Rachel R gave a great account of themselves but found their opponents from Hereford too strong.
In the women's F4- of Louise A, Bonita B, Kate Hooton and Liz L, 2 well matched crews raced from start to 600m only to be stopped & asked to re-row due to the appearance of a pleasure cruiser on the course! On the 2nd attempt to race a tight verdict went to Bewdley. Bewdley were also victorious in their race against the E4+ of Sue S, Paula N Jayne S, Dawn B and cox Jo R
A good days racing, 1 km upstream on a well behaved River Severn, was followed by al fresco meals at the temporary Monmouth team camping area.
The promised heatwave appeared on Sun morning morning as MRC crews got ready for day 2 at Stourport regatta; the sprints covering approximately 500m, upstream.
Unfortunately, the opposition drawn against the Men's 8 scratched, leaving the crew without a race in the morning, and only 3 crews facing any opposition.
George K opened proceedings in his open single, beating his first opponent from Bridgnorth. He found his opponent from Falmouth Greenbank, in the semi-final a tenacious adversary, despite a great race, Greenbank got the verdict by a canvas!
In the low CRI women's 2x, Jo R and her partner Rachel R lost an enthralling race against Furnivall.
A bye to the final saw the women's D4+ of Sue S, Louise A, Liz L, Dawn B and cox Bonita B have a great start against a powerful Worcester crew, only to go behind as a blade came out of a gate! 5 sec spent putting it back in was too much time to make up & Worcester recorded the victory.
In Division 2, George K combined again with Ben M to win their first round, overcoming the home club by 3 lengths; in their tight semi-final they once again produced the goods, winning against Furnivall by 3/4 length. They were more comfortable in the final, beating another Furnivall crew, by 1 1/4 lengths.
In his open Junior 16s Ed S beat Worcester in Heat 1; and repeated a win against Worcester in his semi final. In his final, he overcame the host club to get the medal.
Open E4+ of Mike Smith, Ewart Birkett, Geoff Hitt, Jon Morgan once again raced, this time with Dawn B as cox but were shown a clean pair of heels by a much more experienced Ross outfit.
In one of the tightest races of the weekend, was in the women's E8 with crew of Louise A, Liz L, Sarah C, Jayne S, Paula N, Rachel R, Jo R, Bonita B and cox Sue Smith taking on Loughborough. The MRC crew fought back after overcoming a almost boat stopping crab to lose by a verdict of only 2 feet.
The men's E4- of Tim E, Tim M, Colin L and James A had to be content to watch their final opponent dead heat and then re row before they knew who they would be racing. With two races under their belt, Warwick took the race to the Monmouth crew; unfortunately, steering issues on the part of Warwick saw them enter the lane designated for crews rowing to the start. To avoid a potential clash, Warwick were told to stop, and then get back on station, by which time Monmouth had an unassailable lead.
The open H2- of Harry B and Andy D found their younger opponents too strong, missing out on a medal in their final.
Some very good races over the weekend, at a well organised event. Scratches are inevitable, and the Stourport regatta committee managed the changes very well.
Thanks to James and Louise for towing; and to Tim for his advise to the crews in the lead up to the event, and at the event. Also thanks to the Monmouth rowers who once again demonstrated high levels of team work and support, when loading, unloading, rigging/, derigging and helping others boating. A great weekend both on & off the water.
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