Warwick Regatta Report

Posted on August 26, 2008 | Filed under Rowing

Attending Warwick Regatta this weekend, the Evesham contingent came away having claimed pot after pot at the Primary Event. The weather was on and off all day between sunshine and showers, but spirits couldn’t be dampened among the Evesham camp.

Colleen Penrose and Chloe Bryan dominated Women’s Senior 4 double sculls, meeting a strong University crew from Bournemouth in the final, against whom they had a comfortable row and won by two lengths. Penrose then continued her winning ways as she raced Emma Copham of Stratford, and, after having a canvas lead the whole way, put in a final push to bring her home one length clear. Evesham rower Tina Bonham teamed up with a friend from Henley to race in Veteran B doubles. The composite fired off the start, and developed a marginal lead on home crew Warwick very early on, which they extended to 2 and ¾ lengths over the 500m course.

Aimee Rutherford powered down the course in WJ15 single sculls, battling to gain herself a win of one third of a length against local rival, and very strong sculler Camilla Hadland of Stratford Upon Avon Boat club. Rutherford then teamed up with Senior III single sculler Abi Penrose to compete in the straight final of WJ18 doubles, against Hadland again, and her partner also from Stratford. The Evesham girls established a lead from the start and kept pushing for the line to finish a clear two lengths ahead of their opposition.

The was a well matched race in Women’s Senior IV singles against Zara Cottrill of Evesham, and Miss Gordon of Stratford. It was a bit of a grudge match between the two, and they were both neck and neck down the course, both fighting hard to get into the lead. It was Cottrill that claimed the victory, pushing to the bitter end to cross the line a mere two feet ahead of her opposition. There was a somewhat more open race in WJ14 singles, which was an Evesham Vs Evesham final between Hayley Pawlowski and Laura Attwood. Both girls were battling it out in a close race, before Attwood suffered steering difficulties causing her to get tangled in the reeds, and go for an unexpected swim, allowing Pawlowski a clear win.

There was jubilation tainted by disappointment in the Women’s Novice coxed four of Hazel Cabena, Pip Hill, Helen Trainer and Stacey Allen. Having had their first ever win, enough to get them through to the final, hopes were high for a pot. However, a last minute crew change caused by a medical emergency meant that Allen was to be taken out of the boat, and Tracy Dresch was put in. The new scratch crew fought it out but lost out by two lengths to Stratford. A strong performance, but still disappointing to miss out on a pot.

This didn’t stop the celebrations of all the wins of the day, and hope and enthusiasm is high for both Gloucester and Ross Regatta’s next weekend.

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