SCBC

After a stirring pre-race chat W1 took to the water with grim dtermination. We knew that what was ahead of us was going to be tough, Newnham were good and had proven themselves quicker than us earlier in the term in other races.

But Selwyn W1 are not quitters and we went out to catch Trinity Hall and give Newnham a tough race.

A nice tidy row up to the start. Our first practice was a little rocky - nerves - but the second was great, quick and powerful. Feeling good we prepared for the start.

A fumbled push out and no audible count down meant many of the crew missed the first stroke (the rest of us taking our count from the crew behind) but we got back into it by stroke 3. A great recovery with some good calls from Emily and everyone was together and pushing through the winds and into the power 10 and we held Newnham off.

But they began reeling us in and had whistles on us as we came under the motorway bridge. But we didn't panic, we upped the pressure and rowed like we practiced, determined to make it our race. On station with Trinity Hall we kept pushing.

Newnham advanced on us the whistles spurring them on. Emily called for our "destroy" (perhaps a little late but next time we'll be ready) and the boat speed massively picked up. But it wasn't enough. Newnham caught us just before 1st post corner.

We rowed our hardest and I felt everyone was committed to every stroke and no one gave up. So the result wasn't what we wanted, but we lost out to faster crew after a good row, that's just the way bumps goes.

Tomorrow we are prepared for a longer race. We're going to get a better start, push off Peterhouse and slog it out for the row over. We can do it... we are Selwyn ladies after all!