SCBC

We were much more confident today than yesterday. Although we expected ARU to front load, we also knew that there was more in us, especially in our start.

With that in mind, we had a fair row up, with a good couple of starts. We certainly felt more relaxed now that it was our second time around, and because we had our invalid crew member and coach on the bank with us.

Our start was excellent. We were expecting ARU to move up on us off the start, but instead we left them for dead, and within 20 strokes got a whistle on Churchill.

We pushed into the corners, grinding them down, very quickly getting up to continuous whistle. Fantastic! So we ignored the technical rebuild we usually do on Plough Reach and went for the bump instead. And kept going. Still going. The rowing was starting to fall apart by this point, and still we hadn't caught them.

We focussed back in just before Ditton and took a slightly wide line around the corner, hoping for the bump as they swung out. No such luck. A(nother) final push was called, and this time we really went all out, getting the bump at last about a third of the way up the reach.

All in all we can't complain - we wanted the bump, expected it, and got it in the end. But we made hard work for ourselves. All credit to Churchill for keeping their cool and making us work for it - very nearly pulling away from us as well. Still, we can look forward to tomorrow, with the aim of pushing into the second division.

Selwyn M2 are moving up. Watch this space.