The Club's Results

As the only third boat in the first division, we started off really well and we were holding off Newnham who were quite a long way behind us.
Then disaster struck for reasons that I'm still not clear about! We managed to crash in between some very small poles, and nearly lost Kirsty into the river! Unfortunately after that we all seemed to lose our nerve and our drive, especially on the row back when we seemed destined to crash into everything the Cam had to offer.
Try not to be disheartened by it - we were rowing well up until the crash. We need to recover better from setbacks and not let things that go wrong affect our performance as much as we did.
10/10 for the post race pub though, I definitely approve of that, especially there's rugby on! (Fi)

After the byes in the earlier rounds and the crash which meant we were rowing in a different boat it was fair to say we had an eventful day.

The race itself was awesome. We had one of the best starts we have ever done, getting the rate down to a reasonable level before our first push. We were a few seats down for a good bit, but our pushes drew us level. After the bridge we managed to get clear water, and although they tried to come back at us you absorbed their pushes really well and rowed really well all the way to the finish.

Well done again. Now lets get on! (DM)

so so so so pleased with this result! The highs and lows of the day have considerably shortened my life expectancy.

You had a good 'first race' which highlighted a few problems to work on so we were quite confident rowing up to race.
Unfortunatly circumstances resulting in a return trip to the boat house and you narrowly missing the final (thank goodness Rachel pursuaded the marshalls to wait). But despite the stress you put it all behind you and had an amazing race. The start was much better and everyone kept eyes in the boat and never let them get away.
Keep up the good work and I will be on the bank for bumps!! (Alex)

i'm so proud of you guys!! especially after all the drama before the race (may that homerton blade rest in peace). even though you were about two seats down on pembroke for most of the first half, you kept the length and pressure up in the water, drawing level just before the railway bridge and increasing the lead all the way to the finish. row like that on friday and i have no doubt you will get on. ra ra 1st & 3rd!! (Kristina)

9 people in the boat, 14 on the bank... enough said! A really strong and technically sound row despite pretty awful conditions, today you proved that you deserve to be rowing in Bumps next week. Really proud of all of you for your hard work and massive improvements you've made this term :)

p.s. OK so I wrote that before I knew the results, but it still stands. I'm sorry that things didn't go quite to plan, but you should still be very proud of how you rowed today and everything you've achieved this term. (Charley)

I was so shocked by the results. It seems like there were a lot of crews of a similar pace, so the competition was tougher than we were expecting. The row was strong and committed, particularly the pushes out of the corners that forced the bank party to cycle a lot faster into that head wind. Overall you've come on extremely far this term, and it's sad you don't get to finish it off with bumps, but make sure you stay involved - bank partying or supporting, and then it won't be long until we start training for Mays... (Harriet)

Having coached this crew a couple of weeks ago I wanted to add how sorry I am that you didn't get on. Looking at the spread of non-qualifying times, it's not unreasonable to assume you were less than 2% off the qualifying pace. Only five years ago we didn't even have a second Lent VIII, so getting so close to getting on is a fine achievement and you should still be proud of what you've done this term - especially calmly coming from behind to win Pembroke Regatta.
Next term the club has more permanent places in bumps. Take this week off, watch the bumps, but then start looking for that 2% and more besides. All nine of you have a lot of potential and I hope to see you in the Mays. (Simon)