SCBC

Having started a new year of rowing with many new challenges, W1 IV decided
to test their development. We have improved rapidly throughout the term,
with a great attitude within the boat and great coaches. Winter Head was to
be our first proper test as a boat, and though there was a little
apprehension, we looked forward to the challenge!

After much waiting and marshalling we rowed up to the beginning settling
into a strong, rhythmic and controlled 32. We were focused and showed
strong technique. Aislinn took good corners, keeping us together whilst
bringing us onto the reach. With the corners and the sudden wind some pace
had fallen off but we used this chance to push and get speed back into the
boat. Aislinn gave some excellent technical calls down the reach which

Winter Head gave the M1 VIII and IV the first chance at an extended piece
in race conditions. So far both boats had been of variable quality, and so
the outcome of today was far from predictable.

The IV went first. A slow wind from the start left us settling on 28, not
nearly high enough but the rhythm felt good. The corners seemed to go
well, holding both the pace and the balance. Onto the long reach the wind
really took its toll, but we held it together well. A series of technical
calls from Hannah got us back where we should be, and we picked the pace up
under the railway bridge. Winding up to the finish produced a slight
increase in speed and we finished strong. All in all a decent, solid row,
but we knew we had rowed well within ourselves and so we relished the

Queens' ErgsNo-one is going to forget in a hurry the spectacular efforts of our novice crews at this year's Queens' Ergs.

All crews put in a great effort, everyone giving 110%, and it paid off. NM1 came third overall, second out of college crews, just narrowly missing out to John's in the final after having led most of the way. Fantastic result. NM2 also impressed, being only a second slower than last year's NM1, and coming 6th out of all second boats. NM3 were even closer to last year's NM2 time, with just .1 of a second separating them. There was also an excellent effort from NM4 who beat Robinson in the final seconds.

Take the three biggest first boat rowers (and me), a broken IV, bucket rig it and chuck Dave Dufton in the coxes seat and surely you have a recipe for success. Well almost.

It seems very odd to think that just a week and a half prior to now we were picking up our IV from the repairs having not rowed in it since lent term. It really just highlights what a great achievement the levels we reached were.