Making a welcome return to the Stratford Boat Club’s racing calendar, after several years of cancellations, was the Evesham Autumn Head.
The race which was run over 2000m on the River Avon in Evesham always proves popular and this year was no exception.
Stratford upon Avon Boat Club packed the entries with more than 30 crews racing over three divisions.
Stratford’s newly formed Women’s Masters C crew with their medals.
The J14s were out in force, fielding crews across all three divisions.
An excellent day of racing kicked off with Chris Durance, Arthur Burt and Archie Eaton delivering composed performances in their single sculls, unfortunately losing out to strong Evesham crews enjoying home advantage over familiar waters.
Hot on their heels in the girls’ event came Islay Milles and Eva Cruise who processed to blow the opposition away by finishing first and second in one of the larger events of the day.
Stratford’s Senior Women’s double.
To prove it was no fluke, the girls swiftly returned to the start in their double scull for a Division Two race and duly confirmed their status as Queens of the Avon with a blistering performance against yet more strong opposition.
The afternoon saw the now familiar local derby between the Stratford J14 boys’ quad (Eaton and Burt joined by Eli Ford, Archie Mansfield and Ethan Siwakowski) pitted against Evesham.
As best of frenemies, the two boats battled valiantly down the 2km course with the Evesham crew recording a winning time less than one second better than Stratford’s, an incredibly close result over a long distance.
Stratford’s Women’s Masters E double with their medals and an Evesham official. Ellie Davis, left, and Gin Fusco, right.
Coach Jon Francis was pleased with the day.
He said: “They have built on solid performances at Wallingford to land the first silverware of the new season, proving this squad have the makings of something special.”
Club chairman, Dawson Curnock, was similarly impressed not least with the young athletes’ ability to navigate the gentle curve of the river while avoiding the large yet static moored barges.
Stratford’s Women’s Masters Beginners quad.
Stratford’s combined J17/J18 squad were in action throughout the day with the first crew down the course being the women’s J18 coxless quadruple scull of Bryony Francis, Lily Warren, Josephine Cooper and Poppy Warren.
The crew opened the scoring for the club with an emphatic win over Evesham on their home water.
Next up was the open J18 double scull of Ollie Rowlands and Theo Richter who delivered a strong performance to record third place overall.
Stratford’s WJ14 athletes after being presented with their medals by an Evesham official.
Matching the boys’ efforts, the women’s J18 double scull of Alice Jones and Sophie Franklin also recorded third place.
Hot on the heels of the doubles was the women’s J18 single scull of Becca Smith who battled down the course for fourth place overall.
In the final division of the day, all the J17/J18 athletes had the opportunity to race again.
Stratford’ Women’s Masters double of Corinna Burger (bow) and Helen Helliwell (stroke).
With the opposition firmly in their gaze, the Mixed J18 coxless quadruple scull of Lily Warren, Ollie Rowlands, Theo Richter and Becca Smith sneaked victory over AB Severn by a mere two seconds.
Then came the turn of the women’s J18 coxed four of Sophie Franklin, Josephine Cooper, Poppy Warren, Bryony Francis and Alice Jones (coxswain) who again delivered the goods to win by two seconds over Evesham Rowing Club.
First up for Stratford Masters Women Division One were Corinna Burger and Helen Helliwell in a Women’s Masters C double for their first race after training through the summer.
Stratford’s WJ14powering down the course at Evesham.
Corinna said: “After a period of anticipation, we were off with good consistent rowing right up until the end, minding a few trees along the way and coming second overall.”
Next up were Ellie Davis (stroke) and Gina Fusco in women’s masters E double.
Competing in their first head together, they executed their plan to row a strong, steady and relaxed race which led to a win. The crew were delighted.
Stratford’s J17/18 squad relaxing after their racing.
In Division Two, Rebecca England (stroke) and Lucy Scarlett were racing in their first head together in the senior women’s double.
They had a good start and settled into a solid rhythm, Scarlett steering an excellent course round the long bowside bend. A final push gave them the win with which they were thrilled with.
In the last Division Three of the day, three crews entered the Women’s Masters.
Corinna Burger, Clare Booth, Claudine Pearson and Ruth Poulten (bow) were in the Women’s Masters D quad.
Their boat, Imperious Countess, first outing with new riggers and a new crew formation.
In the water, the first stroke appeared to demonstrate a complete inability to row but captain Ruth Poulten (bow) navigated with calm and confidence and thanks to on-land support and a spanner, gates and oars adjusted, once again the crew were mobile.
Stratford’s Women’s Masters rigging their quad ready for the off.
Ruth steered the course superbly for a respectable timed result and handicaps placed Stratford third behind two home crews.
Ruth said: “Crew camaraderie, team focus and determination ensured we overcame a number of obstacles on the day to complete the 2k race with smiles all round.”
The newly formed Women’s Masters C crew of Rebecca England (stroke), Ellie Davis, Lucy Scarlett, Gina Fusco were joined by J16 Cox Rory in a coxed four.
They started well and settled into a strong rhythm.
Pushing off the bend, they were able to increase their power, upping the rate and ably steered by Rory Jones, they overtook two quads ahead of them.
This gave them the momentum they needed to finish strongly and take the win.
Last up of the day for Women’s Masters was the beginners quad crew of Sarah Walker (bow), Charlotte Juxon (2), Urania O’Reilly (3), Sally Bliss (stroke) and Jen Carey (cox).
They came over the line in great form to finish second of three in their first ever head race together.
They kept a steady rate from the start with a final push to secure their position and the crew were super proud of what they achieved.
