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Wins at Reading Town Regatta

On Saturday, Great Marlow School Boat Club (GMSBC) returned to Thames Valley Park for a second weekend of racing, over a slightly longer course of 800m, on this picturesque stretch of the Thames. Given that this is the last regatta before Henley Royal, it often attracts a number of international crews: Saturday was no exception.

GMSBC Boys’ First Eight were first off against St Johns College, USA, and came home two lengths ahead of the Americans.

Next, the Girls’ Eight, incorporating several Year 10s, were drawn against Green Lake, also from the US, in the WJ18 event; GMSBC duly won this heat.

The Boys’ Four, having failed to find any competition in the schools’ event, were entered in the Open Fours against some rather large Australians from Upper Yarra.  Not daunted, the boys took off at a high rate, of 50 spm, and stayed high well into the race. Thus, by half way, they had clear water on the Aussies, who were struggling somewhat with their steering, both boats being coxless.

Result – three from three against the foreign crews: a fantastic start to the day.

The Year 9 boys, who were winners in the previous two regattas, found the going tougher and did not win in the Octo or the Quads.

However, the B Four, stroked by Henry Gavin, made it to the final, surpassing their crew mates in the A boat.

Later in the day, GMSBC Year 10 girls beat two Bedford Girls crews comfortably, to make their final. Sadly, they lost to the BGS A crew in the final.

The top Girls’ Four had to race against Henley and Green Lake. Regular readers will know that beating Henley is an achievement that seldom occurs. But, on Saturday afternoon the girls won their final, giving much to celebrate.

In virtually the final race of the day, the other half of the Boys’ Eight raced in a Coxed Four against St John’s, USA, and Reading Bluecoats. The boys had a slow start and were ¼ of a length down at 250m gone. Using all the stamina and teamwork they had, they worked to overtake the other crews: with 250 m to go GMSBC were leading by ½ a length.

The opposition upped their performance and had a determined charge for the line, but our crew held to win by ¼ of a length.

Definitely one of the better days racing  for GMSBC; eight finals and three outright  wins.

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