Abingdonian 2017

73 www.abingdon.org.uk Summer Term The J16s had a season full of improvement and good racing. With some hard, gritty training in the winter, a win at Wycliffe Head and eighth at Schools Head was a nice way to close the winter curtain. Come summer, after a great camp at Bordeaux the J16s got great results with a third place at Basher and wins in the eight at Bedford and Reading. At Nat Schools the eight finished ninth on the Saturday, with the four picking up the first J16 medal at National Schools for Abingdon in a decade, receiving a hard earned Silver Medal on the Sunday. A good season, which promises to lead to an exciting senior squad next year. The Second VIII had a successful year, constantly biting at the heels of the First Eight and earning good results along the way. Great wins in the winter with the fours winning at Upper Thames and Reading Head. Coming back from a very strong Easter Camp the Second VIII got great results at Basher and Bedford before making the A final of the National Regatta, their primary objective of the season. A great season was topped off by a chance at Henley Royal Regatta qualifiers, where the boys did the Boat Club proud as they flew down the historic stretch of river. Finally, with not only a talented but a hugely inspirational set of boys, the First VIII had a brilliant season – a brilliant final season for almost all of them. They won at Henley Head and Wycliffe Head before a solid tenth position at Schools Head. After Bordeaux the boys came into their final term on a mission and won at Bedford before performing strongly in the B final of Schools’ Regatta, finishing ninth. Their final races were special, having comfortably qualified for Henley, they put Reading Blue Coat school three lengths down on them on the Wednesday. The Thursday race was always going to be hard, against eventual semi-finalists, Shiplake. I feel it was testament to the Boat Club to see the hundreds of pink and white blazers shouting, chanting, clapping and chasing the boys down the course - a unique atmosphere within schoolboy rowing. The future looks bright for the boat house, but it is important to not forget the past that drives the passion and determination in our current boys. Seasons like the last contribute to the future and set the club up for a bright few years ahead. A big thanks must be given to Mr Earnshaw and all of the coaching staff who put so many hours into the boys last season: the appreciation on behalf of all of the boys is huge. James Stammers, 5AMB