Henley Rowing Club fielded a record number of entries in this weekend’s Henley Masters Regatta (Friday 12th & Saturday 13th July), resulting in two wins for the club.
Taking place within a boomed 1000m upstream course between Temple Island and Upper Thames Rowing Club, Henley Masters Regatta attracts a high standard of crews from across the world.
Racing first on Friday, the men’s Open Masters E quad of Mike Hornsby (bow) Brian Tracey, Andrew Grant and Matt Peachey (stroke) put in a strong performance but were ultimately overcome by a German composite crew, Ruderklub Am Baldeneysee who won in a time of 4.02.
Next up was the women’s Masters C double of Jo Paice at bow and Lucie Cave at stroke. Giving a gutsy race, they lost to eventual finalists Nottingham Rowing Club in a time of 4.15.
A close race followed between Henley’s women’s Masters F quad of Victoria Molloy (bow), Margaret Hall, Miriam O’Leary and Ann Tully (stroke). Putting in a technically assured performance, the crew stayed in contention for the first 250 metres before Walton-Pelham Community Composite drew away to win by 1.5 lengths in a time of 4.19.
The final race of the day was a semi-final between Henley’s women Masters E quad consisting of Sarah Girling (bow), Rosalind Pilcher, Helen Turnell and Louisa Clarke (stroke) and Marlow Rowing Club which Henley won by 1.5 lengths in a time of 4.00.
On Saturday, it was the turn of HRC’s Open Masters B men’s quad in a semi-final versus Thames Rowing Club. Henley’s crew of Jack Barrett (bow), Tom Jost, Nick Friend and Rich Ellera (stroke) gave an impressive performance in a tough race against a strong Thames crew full of recent Henley Royal Regatta winners. Henley prevailed, winning by one length in 3.15 - the fastest overall time of the regatta - and going through to the final.
The women’s Masters E quad - pictured - (Sarah Girling (bow), Rosalind Pilcher, Helen Turnell and Louisa Clarke (stroke)) returned for their final against Exeter Rowing Club. A strong start resulted in them leading from the first few strokes, extending their lead convincingly to win in the fastest time of all the women’s quad finals on the day - 3.41, 2.5 lengths ahead of Exeter.
The Open Masters B men’s quad - pictured - (Jack Barrett (bow), Tom Jost, Nick Friend and Rich Ellera (stroke) then put in a dominating performance for their final versus Cambridge 99 Rowing Club winning Easily. No time was taken.
Impressive results for Henley Rowing Club at this flagship event in the rowing calendar.
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