Poplar Regatta

Henley Rowing Clubs Junior squad had an exceptionally successful visit to Poplar Regatta winning six events outright and winning the Victor Ludorum for the most successful club at the regatta. The regatta is held in the old Royal Albert Dock adjacent London City Airport. The dock having been converted to a full six lane 2000 metre international course with an impressive new boathouse and training facilities. Whilst a stiff breeze blew throughout the day conditions remained reasonable with the sheltered lanes only having a minor advantage.

The Junior girls quad of Lucy Darke, Gemma McIntosh, Bethan Thomas, and Melanie Gilson picked up a silver medal after a very exciting race that saw them loose by only a few feet to arch rivals Headington. The girls J16 quad, Kaye Davies, Hannah Smith Willis, Becci Griffiths and Lucy Lewington won gold with a two lengths victory over St Neots which is the first time Henley have turned the tables on St Neots since the girls first raced back at J14 level. Becci Griffiths picked up a second gold medal when she comfortably won the girls J16 single sculls final. In the penultimate race of the day she picked up a third gold medal when the J16 girls competed in and won the Women’s Senior 3 eights event. Lying third at the 500 metre mark the girls put in a determined push just before half way to see them first row through Headington and then through the girls from St Pauls School. This was a good piece of rowing from the girls of Kaye Davies, Becci, Natalie Robinson, Hannah Read, Gemma Johnson, Natalie Robinson, Lucy Lewington, Hannah Smith Willis and cox Hanna Boyd. In addition to the above wins the girls also picked up silver in the J15 double sculls and the J16 double sculls, and a bronze in the J18 double sculls.

Not to be outdone the boys also had a good regatta. The J14 quad of Chris Clarke, Drew Ford, Simon Jones, Peter Wagner and cox Kate Thomas completely outclassing their opposition throughout the day and winning the final easily. Chris and Peter picked up a second gold medal winning the J14 double sculls comfortably even though this was only raced over a 1000 metre course. The boys picked up a third gold medal with David Read winning the J18 single sculls, David as usual making it hard for himself and having to use his considerable power to pull himself through from the back markers in each race to the pole position.