ERBC had 5 crews competing at London Schools Head last Wednesday afternoon, along with 2 Junior 15 crews who raced at an alternative event at Eton Dorney hosted by Eton College.
The Schools Head course runs from Mortlake to Putney, the same 4.5 mile course of the Oxford vs Cambridge Boat Race but in reverse.
4 out of the 5 ERBC crews competed in the Championship eight categories; the standard of the crews they were competing against was absolutely off the charts with the boys from St Pauls Westminster setting a new course record of 16.24.0. 3 out of the 5 crews finished in the Top 10 which was a great achievement when a number of the rowers in the crews are 2 years younger than those they were racing against.
The 1st Eight crew of Evan Donaghy, Ryan Topping, Luke Bailey, Oran Harty, Owen Kelly, George Kernaghan, Oliver Khew, Austin Cassidy and cox Katelyn Fee were 15th out of the 22 Mens Championship crews completing the course in 17.25.6
The Mens Sch/Jnr 2nd 8+ William Bogle, Hugo McChesney, Matthew Shaw, Justin Smith, Joshua Coalter, Bruno Maguire Favro, Ben Cameron, Jamie Dunlop and Cox Abbey Wilson were 12th out of 19 in a time of 18.01.2. The category was won by the boys from Eton College.
The Mens Ch J16 8+ Christian Timoney, Eoghan Campbell, Harry Coalter, Andrew Cuthbertson, Lorcan Sreenivasan, Charlie Lynn, Jake Sembhi, Harley Sheppard and cox Errie Powell finished 10th out of 17 in their category in a time of 17.53.9. St Pauls School took the honours in this category.
The Girls Ch 8+ Zara Welsh, Isabella Wright, Acorn Cassidy, Naomi Robinson, Kate Huddlestone, Ruby Hamill, Rhea Cartin McCloskey, Eva Johnston and Cox Jessica Thompson were 10th out of 17, finishing in 18.54.0. Headington School won the category in a time of 18.09.5.
The Girls Ch 16 8+ Erin Trimble, Sienna Howe, Mya Morris, Hannah Armstrong, Zara Lindsay, Meabh Murphy, Amy Lipscomb, Milena Remedios and Cox Rachel Cathcart were 10th out of 12 in a time of 20.05.8.
The Junior 15 crews were cut from the Schools Head for safety reasons due to the high tides and Eton College hosted an alternative event at Eton Dorney with most of the crews who had originally entered taking part.
The Girls J15 8+ Tori Davis, Emily Black, Darcy Balfour, Abbie McCarthy Magwood, Grace Collins, Aoibhin Campbell, Amy Williamson, Brooke Davis and Cox Joel Crean finished in a time of 15.26.6.
The Boys J15 8+ Cillian Donaghy, Matthew Montgomery, Shane O’Donnell, Oliver McNeary, Olie Powell, Joshua Ihnat, Ryan Thomas, Jacob Woods and cox Cameron Bell finished in a time of 14.04.30.
All the crews gained invaluable racing experience in London which will be great for them as they start regatta season with events at Neptune RC and Commercial RC on the weekend of 6th/7th April.
Thanks to all the coaches and parents who travelled to London with the rowers, it is much appreciated.
