SUNDAY 11 DECEMBER

Oxford University Lightweight Rowing Club (OULRC)

Henley Reach - 1400hrs

From a squad of twenty athletes OULRC had selected two eights to race in cold but calm conditions over Henley Reach. Watched by a partisan crowd of about thirty supporters chief coach Andy Nelder aligned 'Hard and 'Fast' off Poplar Point before umpire Martin McNally got them off to a clean start down the 2000m course. 'Hard' had won the toss and chose the Bucks station, but it was 'Fast' who lived up their name in the early stages, and rating 39 against 'Hard' at 38 they took a canvas lead by the bottom of the Enclosures. Hard settled well and maintaining the same rate took back a canvas lead at Remenham and then began to make further ground. Both crews were warned for their steering, and as the crews converged once again there was a clash of blades. 'Hard' came better out of the encounter and had a lead of 3/4 of a length by the Farm but down the last 300 metres, with both crews at 34, 'Hard' increased their advantage and went on to win by 1 1/2 lengths.

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Race report by Robert Treharne Jones

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HARD

Bow: Edward Goodfellow (St. Annes)

2: James Solly (Magdalen)

3: Stuart Ladd (Worcester)

4: Simon Hay (Lincoln) +

5: Thomas Woolway (Hertford)
6: Alex Woods (St John's) (President) *
7: Andy Berridge (Keble) *
Str: Adam Nelson (Magdalen)
Cox: Jo Grummitt (Worcester)

FAST

Bow: Greg Thomas (New) +

2: Graeme Davies (St. Cross)

3: Mark Catherall (University)
4: Peter Smith (University)

5: Hugh Mortimer (Lincoln)

6: Graeme Murray (St. Hugh's) *
7: Gareth Jones (Magdalen)
Str: Chris Cole (Christ Church) +

Cox: Phil Clausen-Thue (Oriel)

+ denotes previous Nephthys
* denotes previous Blue Boat