Glasgow topple the Thames Valley Tide

Glasgow Academy put in a number of impressive performances at the Oarsport Junior Sculling Head, including top spot in the men’s J18 quads and a third placed finish in WJ184x.

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Glasgow Schools Rowing Club put in a number of impressive performances at the Oarsport Junior Sculling Head, including top spot in the men’s J18 quads with a time of 12 minutes and 5 seconds and a third placed finish in WJ184x with a time of 13 minutes and 34 seconds.

Josh, who stroked the boy’s quad to an impressive nine second victory over Maidenhead, was delighted his crew could put the disappointment of the Schools’ Head behind them. “Yesterday we didn’t really nail the race so it was great to come out on top today,” he explained. “From the stroke seat, I could feel the wash from the crews ahead so I knew we were catching up and that was a real boost.”

Meanwhile, Henley Rowing Club continued to strengthen their position at the summit of junior women’s rowing by convincingly winning the WJ174x category in 13 minutes and 30 seconds. “I think it’s a great result,” said Coach Chris Boothroyd. “The girls all raced in the eight yesterday, so to come here and produce a result like that is outstanding.”

 “We’ve got huge numbers of timekeepers, marshals, umpires who all keep the race moving so we’re hugely grateful for that.”

“We’re very pleased with how we’ve progressed through the season, having finished just behind Headington yesterday. Maybe we will now look to concentrate on the eight, but there’s a lot of thinking to do first.”

Headington School, who retained their girl’s championship eight title on the Tideway yesterday, posted the fastest female time of the day, completing the four kilometre course in 13 minutes and 8 seconds to win the WJ184x event. They were also winners in the WJ158x+ and came second overall in the Victor Ludorum, five points behind Lady Eleanor Holles School Boat Club.

Trafford Rowing Club produced one of the top performances of the day to take the WJ154x+ prize by over 30 seconds in a time of 14 minutes and 24 seconds, whilst Walton Rowing Club were victorious in the boy’s equivalent completing the course in 13 minutes and 22 seconds.

After the difficulties of 2013, the event ran smoothly under the watchful eye of the organising committee. Chris Williams, secretary for the Scullery, praised the efforts of volunteers in keeping the event running. “We couldn’t run without them – their efforts are crucial. We’ve got huge numbers of timekeepers, marshals, umpires who all keep the race moving, so we’re hugely grateful for that.”

“For 2016, we’ve changed very little from last year. We’ve simplified our approach over the past few seasons, cut the race down to four kilometres and it seems to be working.”

For full details and results, please go to http://www.thescullery.org.uk/results2016.html

Report by: Tom Morgan