Cambs rowers success at Henley Regatta - News - LIVING SPORT

Cambs rowers success at Henley Regatta

Stars from St Neots and City of Cambridge Rowing Clubs have clinched historic wins at the Henley Women's Regatta.

St Neots club members Polly Hetherington, Bethany Astell and Philippa Neill were joined by oarswomen from Gloucester, Stratford, Tideway Scullers and Canford School in the junior eights boat. Cox Hari Combe suffered disappointment after being ruled out the day before the race, with Didi Horsburg-Wade taking over.

After their first opponents pulled out, they faced St Paul's Girls School in the quarter-finals, and after stroke Hetherington set a strong rate from the start, they won by four lengths in 5min 06sec. In the semi-finals they were up against Molesey, and stayed in control to cross the line comfortably ahead.

St Neots took on defending champions Headington School in the final, with Headington holding an unbeaten record against British crews this year. Hetherington drove St Neots on to an eventual two-thirds length victory in a record time of 4min 52sec.

City of Cambridge were to be outdone by St Neots, becoming the first town crew to win at Henley since the event's conception with victory in the intermediate club coxed fours event - the Lester Trophy.

Stroke Sara Dietz, Lindsay Hamilton, Fionnuala Ratcliffe, bow Chiara Ferrara and cox Renae Domaschenz started in the time trials, with 16 to go through from 27, and proved the quickest crew.

In their first race, they beat Furnivall Sculling Club by five lengths, and then had an easy victory over Royal Chester B in the quarter-final. After an aggressive start in the semi-final, they shot ahead of Tyne Rowing Club, and won in a course record 5min 25sec.

Royal Chester clocked the same time in the other semi, setting up a mouth watering final. Royal Chester blasted off to an early lead, with Cambridge drawing level by 750m, before pushing on to a comprehensive victory and improving the course record by another second.

Follow the links to the Cambridge News website for full stories on the success of St Neots and City of Cambridge.

Stars from St Neots and City of Cambridge Rowing Clubs have clinched historic wins at the Henley Women's Regatta.

St Neots club members Polly Hetherington, Bethany Astell and Philippa Neill were joined by oarswomen from Gloucester, Stratford, Tideway Scullers and Canford School in the junior eights boat. Cox Hari Combe suffered disappointment after being ruled out the day before the race, with Didi Horsburg-Wade taking over.

After their first opponents pulled out, they faced St Paul's Girls School in the quarter-finals, and after stroke Hetherington set a strong rate from the start, they won by four lengths in 5min 06sec. In the semi-finals they were up against Molesey, and stayed in control to cross the line comfortably ahead.

St Neots took on defending champions Headington School in the final, with Headington holding an unbeaten record against British crews this year. Hetherington drove St Neots on to an eventual two-thirds length victory in a record time of 4min 52sec.

City of Cambridge were to be outdone by St Neots, becoming the first town crew to win at Henley since the event's conception with victory in the intermediate club coxed fours event - the Lester Trophy.

Stroke Sara Dietz, Lindsay Hamilton, Fionnuala Ratcliffe, bow Chiara Ferrara and cox Renae Domaschenz started in the time trials, with 16 to go through from 27, and proved the quickest crew.

In their first race, they beat Furnivall Sculling Club by five lengths, and then had an easy victory over Royal Chester B in the quarter-final. After an aggressive start in the semi-final, they shot ahead of Tyne Rowing Club, and won in a course record 5min 25sec.

Royal Chester clocked the same time in the other semi, setting up a mouth watering final. Royal Chester blasted off to an early lead, with Cambridge drawing level by 750m, before pushing on to a comprehensive victory and improving the course record by another second.

Follow the links to the Cambridge News website for full stories on the success of St Neots and City of Cambridge.

Edit Article