As always Marlow Regatta is a rowing highlight in the annual race calendar. It was a busy day for GMSBC with 90 students racing in over 40 races. The weather was beautiful, but there was a strong wind, which made the conditions challenging creating ‘lumpy’ water, even for our top crews.
The Year 8s rowed in their first regatta and performed well. The Boys’ Quad led their race to the half way mark, but sadly caught a bad crab at the church, which allowed the two Marlow RC crews to overtake them. However, undaunted they reset themselves and set off in pursuit. It was a big gap to close but they managed it in part; they overhauled one of the Marlow crews to come in second. I have no doubt we will see a lot more from these boys in the future.
In the Boys’ Octo their main rival was Marlow Rowing Club. Until the race start, GMS looked the stronger crew. Sadly, the Marlow crew had a breakage before the race meaning our Octo rowed to win the medal lacking the opposition they had planned for.
The girls also rowed in a Quad and an Octo. There was a little more depth in these competitions, with Headington School being in the mix. The Girls’ Octo had a great row in their heat to win and make it through to the final, beating one Headington crew in the process.
In the final they were not quite as cohesive due to the choppy water, they conceded top-slot to Headington, but came in a very respectable second.
Year 9 boys rowed in Doubles and Quads. In the Doubles there were a number of close races for GMS. The main success was rowing in the Quad, where having made it to the final, were in the lead coming into the enclosures. Sadly, a big wash caught a blade and this led to a break in their rhythm, allowing the Borlase crew to take a small lead. Although they challenged hard over the last 50m they were unable to get their bow in front, so came in second. A very good result, never-the-less.
The main race for the girls was in their Octo. They have engaged in some really great racing this year, winning the B final at National Schools in a convincing way. On Saturday, they were up against a very strong Headington crew, who had history of beating them before. The girls definitely rowed a spirited race against a Headington crew with considerably more time on the water this season and thus coped better with the rough conditions.
GMS’s Year 10 girls, including Lily Nickless and Georgina Greening, both made the final in Singles (WJ15 1x). In a repeat of Marlow Spring, Lily took the win in an impressive victory over a field including the strong Headington girls.
Our Year 10 boys raced well in the Doubles, Quads and an Eight. Those in the smaller boats all enjoyed good races, with one of the Quads making it through to the final. In that final the GMS boat came second to the Marlow Quad.
In the Eight, the boys had a straight final against Abingdon School (J15 Eights). The boys have not been rowing in an Eight for very long and this showed at the start of the race, where Abingdon’s 1st boat took a quick 3/4 length lead. However, over the rest of the race, the GMS crew ate away at this lead. As the race rounded the bend into the enclosures GMS were loosing by just a few feet and were moving fast. The spectators had to wait some minutes to hear the result: sadly the verdict went to Abingdon, however a great race for our Eight against top class opposition.
The Year 11 Boys’ Four had a scrappy row and came off the water feeling they could have done so much better than just winning convincingly against Abingdon opposition.
The main events of the regatta are, obviously, the Marlow Schools Challenge Races.
These all went to form with the Boys’ Quads being the first race. GMS took a short lead at the start but the Borlase crew were determined to make a race of it and, as they came into the enclosures, GMS only had a half length on SWB. A close race and a good showing from our opposition but it did not topple GMS from the top spot.
The Girls’ Quad was next. Borlase has been the stronger crew all year at the various national events. A three length victory was a solid GMS performance and, hopefully, keeps them enthusiastic about coming back for more next year.
The Eights races managed to excite the shouting crowd in the enclosures. GMS girls came down first, leading by a length of clear water and looking very dominant.
The boys’ race told a similar story with the verdict never in doubt: GMS won both Eight races, yet again.
A fabulous day by the river showcasing our hard working dedicated rowers at their best, whatever the outcome.
We thank Mr Murison for this write-up about a busy and successful time on the river, at one of the rowing highlights of the year for GMS.
