We came into this race not really knowing what to expect. Our only plan for the race was to say relaxed and think about the technical focuses we have been concentrating  on over the past week. 

The race itself was nothing spectacular, we stayed relatively tidy and moved away from Christ's who were behind us and started gaining on Emma in front. Coming down first post reach, Emma were aprox 4 - 5 lengths off our bow. However, by the time we rounded Ditton, we were down to about 1.5 lengths off their stern. Coming out of Ditton, Kate called a push and the crew responded beautifully finding a lovely, strong rhythm. However, about halfway down the reach this rhythm suffered massively as the dirty water from Emma just in front played havoc with the balance of the boat (rowing in wash is something we will need to practice!). From that point on until just after the railway bridge, we did not gain on Emma and may have even fallen away slightly to about 1.5 lengths - if felt like the crew was just 'going through the motions' as we had lost our previously strong and confident rhythm. Then coming out of the railway bridge as the river widened, Kate called another push and it worked - we found that strong rhythm of before. We got out of Emma's wash and closed the gap on them to about half a length by the time we crossed the line.

This was a very useful race and one from which we can learn a lot of things to improve our boat speed relatively easily.

Ed

The pushes out of Ditton and off the Railway Bridge were pretty special, but we shouldn't be able to add that much to the speed so late on in the race. That we could pull it together in such an emphatic fashion shows what we're really capable of, but it also demonstrates that we're a long way from stringing an entire bumps race worth of solid rowing. More race fitness and a more aggressive attitude is needed, but a good solid start to the term.

We now need to get the boathouse balance of power back in our favour by beating Magdalene next Sunday.

Charlie

C: K. Richards S: C. Adams 7: N. Gates 6: E. John 5: M. Richly 4: H. Dietert 3: A. Morgan 2: H. Robinson B: T. Hendicott Coach: R. Jeffrey

No-one from this crew has written a race report yet.

C: S. Bruckland S: C. Sturrock 7: J. Wood 6: M. Varley 5: A. Blockus 4: R. Conyngham 3: C. Martin 2: C. Hansford B: C. Clark Coach: I. Wright

C: L. Antrobus S: A. Davies 7: J. Maunder-Taylor 6: G. Hu 5: P. Jackie 4: H. Miller 3: R. Kiff 2: L. Filgiano B: J. Milne Coach: K. Brown