Venue: Holme Pierrepoint | Date: 16/05/15
The third weekend in May brings along the annual convoy up to Holme Pierrepoint at the National Watersports Centre in Nottingham for Nottingham City Regatta, both the Mens and the Womens squads made the 220 mile trip up North for what looked to be some exciting and challenging competition.
Womens Squad:
The crew of the IM2 4+, finished 5th place.
1: R Kelly, 2: K Barker, 3: L Cocks, 4: L Sanders, Coxswain: E Burke
Saturday
The IM2 crew were racing at 8:20 in heat 2, 5 the race of the day. A difficult start but they coped well with the conditions to finish 3rd in a time of 8’40’’. They qualified for the final as the 5th fastest qualifiers out of 11 boats. Then finished 5th overall in the final which was won by York City RC.
The IM3 crew raced in the afternoon division at 15:05 finishing 3rd in their heat and were the 4th fastest in the heats out of 13 crews, but with only the first 2 from each heat making the final they did not progress. The final was later won by Leeds University
Sunday
The IM3 crew raced in a straight 1000m final with 4 boats against Milton Keynes, Welbeck College and Gloucester Rowing Club. Despite the stroke catching a crab at the start the crew still managed to win the race in a time of 4:34, a total of 15 seconds ahead of Milton Keynes who came in 2nd place.
Overall a worthwhile trip to the north and good performances at the first regatta of the season for the ladies.
Mens Squad:
The crew of the IM2 8+, finished 4th place:
1: J Webber, 2: J Spink, 3: M Worthington, 4: R Stirling, 5: D Ord, 6: B Corkery, 7: B Chrichard, 8: P Minchell, Coxswain: P Brailey
The same crew also competed in the IM3 8+ finishing in 2nd place. The senior men took their 8 up, having changed the three man from Wallingford, with the aim of making a name for themselves and they did just that.
The morning session saw the IM2 division take to the lake. Those familiar with Holme Pierrepoint will know it often comes with wind and it didn’t disappoint this time around. The draw consisted of three heats, six boats in each with the first two over the line through to the final. Exeter were up against Ursus, Putney Town, City of Cambridge and Fitzwilliam College. After taking the lead when they hit their stride at 750m, Exeter increased the gap with every stroke finishing 11 seconds ahead of Fitzwilliam College.
The final saw strong opposition from Abingdon School, Liverpool University, City of Oxford and 1st & 3rd Trinity. Abingdon disappeared out the blocks and never looked back heading for a comfortable eight second victory over second place Liverpool. Exeter were left to battle it out with City of Oxford and what a battle it was. Positions exchanged throughout the race with Oxford piping it on the line by 0.8s with Trinity finishing a further 10 seconds behind in 5th.
The same format followed for the afternoon racing in IM3. The heat saw Exeter up against 1st & 3rd Trinity, Warwick University, Nottingham University, Northwich RC and Claires Court School. Going into the halfway point it had turned into a three boat race between Claires Court, who had a length on Exeter who were half a length up on Nottingham. Going through the 1250m mark the call was made for Exeter to respond and that’s exactly what they did. The crew sensed something special was about to happen. With every stroke Nottingham dropped back and Claires Court got closer. With the school boys leading into the final 500m the momentum was with the Exeter crew and a final push in the last 250m saw Exeter take a 1.5s victory and qualify for the final with the fastest time overall.
Exeter were joined in the final by Liverpool University, Christs College, Sheffield University and Shiplake College. As the race got underway and the crews settled into their race rhythm it was Exeter and Liverpool who pulled away from the field with Liverpool sitting half a length up. Going into the last 500m Exeter were gearing up for the push to the finish when they were hit by a huge gust, knocking them off their stride and allowing Liverpool to take the victory with Exeter finishing a comfortable second.
A successful weekend and a step on from Wallingford. There now follows a fortnight of development before the next outing at Met at the end of May.
If you are reading this article and you fancy having a go at rowing, we are always welcoming new members. Come down to the club and ask for Paul Wilson. Check out the Club Facebook page, see the link at the footer of the website.
Author: Abby Bartram