One of the highlights of the early summer regatta season is this charming Bedford Amateur Regatta. It is an old-fashioned knock out competition with many events having four rounds to reach the final. We took seven crews and virtually every rower won at least one race.
There is so much more fun in a side-by-side duel and all the major schools are generally represented here making the competition excellent.
Our Year 10 girls were off first, having arrived at 07.45, and luck of the draw meant our A-crew drew to face a very strong Headington crew, who were the eventual winners in their first round so, sadly, they experienced a quick exit.
The B-quad rowed in an excellent fashion against locals Bedford Modern to win by three lengths; they had a good race in the quarter finals, too, only narrowly missing top-slot to St Mary’s School.
Next, came the Year 10 boys. The B-Four had an excellent race against Abingdon School and although they were out matched, rowed well throughout the race and kept the pressure on their opponents. The A-boat were lucky enough to have a bye.
Fortunately, those rowers who had lost their first race were mainly entered into a second event. In the Year 10 girls’ case it was a Coxed Four (sweep) as opposed to a Quad (sculling). In their first race they met Lady Eleanor Holles and had a nail-biting race. As the course is around a long bend, the start is staggered, so the inside crew is behind for most of the race even if they are going faster. In our WJ15 4+’s case they were ½ a length down with 300m to go, until they met a wall of cheering from the GMS parents and carers and with cries from cox Isabel Berger to “Go faster” they found inner resolve to push through the opposition to win by 1/3 length: fantastic result.
In their next round against Brentford RC, they were on the outside of the bend and had a poor start, giving the opponents a lot of the stagger back. By halfway Brentford had the advantage of one length. The result looked cast, but the GMS girls dug in deep and fought back hard. Despite being on the outside lane around the bend the margin was decreasing and with 200m left the difference was just ½ a length. That was the eventual result but an excellent race from these competitive girls.
The two Boys’ Fours combined to race as a Eight and had a comfortable victory over Bedford Modern in their first race. The second round against Radley, who had beaten Eton in the first round, was always going to be tough but the boys hung in well and raced superbly well to still be in touch at the end.
Now, just a very quick summary of our two winning crews. The J18 4x (boys 6th form Quad) had the easiest day, not having to arrive till 4:00 pm and racing their final at18:41. They had two races, which they dominated and GMS picked up the J18 4x trophy for the second year running.
In contrast the J15 4+, who arrived at 08.00 and had to race 6 races despite a bye in their first round, and lined up for their final at 19.17 against Bedford School.
In arriving at this point, two Eton crews, two Abingdon Crews, the A-crew from St Georges College and some others had all been beaten.
Being the final, the boys expected a tough race; they were starting a length down on the inside of the bend, consequently, they were not sure whether they would ever see their opponents (rowers look backwards!). They need not have worried, by halfway they had drawn level and with plenty of advantage still to come they pushed on through and while it seemed the crews were well matched, the GMS boys had a better run on the boat and kept moving through to win the final by a substantial two lengths.
This was a truly great day out on the river, with something for all the rowers. It is an extra thrill to take on the big independent schools and win.
GMS thanks Mr Murison for this article. We congratulate all the rowers, the coaches and Mr Murison.
