Redgrave bested by Oundle crew
Saturday 13th May was a long day for the Boys' 1st IV (Richard Aked (F), Tom Miller (Ldr), Tom Rylands (C), Adam Smith (F), and cox Celeste Green (D)), who were involved in the first race of the day at 8:30 a.m. against Warwick University, at the annual Bedford Regatta on the river Ouse.
Competing in the Mens’ Senior 3 coxed fours competition , the boys rowed through the university crew to make it to the next round, and then went on to beat Bedford Rowing Club, Corpus Christi College and Cambridge 99 Rowing Club to win the competition. This was a first for Oundle in recent memory and served as a good confidence builder for the National Schools Regatta.
Not to be outdone, however, the Boys 2nd IV of Hector Laing (S), Thomas Woods (Sc), Will Lavender (StA), Toby Baker (G) and cox Matthew Thomas (Ldr) competed strongly in the Mens’ Senior IV coxed fours competition, winning through four rounds of competition, beating Bedford School, Peterborough City Rowing Club and Norwich School before facing a crew from Liverpool in the final.
The Liverpool crew were part of a television challenge programme being screened on ITV this autumn, where Sir Steven Redgrave takes previous non-rowers and trains them for a year in an attempt to qualify for Henley Royal Regatta. The men in the Liverpool crew were extremely strong and fit, but perhaps lacked a certain amount of experience. Oundle crossed the finish line two lengths up on Liverpool, delighted both with winning the competition, and beating “Redgrave’s Four”!
Watched by parents and supporters, the crew was also congratulated by Sir Steven, and many had the opportunity for autographs and having their picture taken with the Olympic hero.