1st March 2009

Following our strong showing at the Thames Valley Trials at Dorney recently, the Vets were back in action last weekend – at the hastily re-arranged MVH after the river was in flood for the original date.

We had to make a few crew changes for rowers who couldn’t make the new date and this meant having to race as an “old” Vet E rather than our usual “fighting weight” of “young” Vet F.  That meant stiff competition from the likes of Crabtree, Reading, Putney Town and Quintin.

This year we had Spike back in the stroke seat and actually had a race plan that we stuck to.  Paul (cox) even managed to get us going at full chat before the start line – another improvement on last year.  Unfortunately a large barge was passing through as we arrived at the start turning buoy and this prevented us from turning tight onto the Reading crew in front as planned;  so yet again we rowed in a void, although we caught Quintin (two boats ahead) right at the finish.

Everyone agreed we’d had a solid row and Paul’s head-cam footage (with a cox’s POV for training purposes) confirmed this.

We finished 6th overall and 2nd in Vet E eights, behind Crabtree.

The crew was: Richard Stanley (Bow); John Sewell; Brian Dorling; Jason Boulter; David Stanley; Rob Bailey; Keith Baldwin; Simon Pullen (Stroke); Paul Davis (Cox))

Next up is Kingston Head (14th March) which went well for us last season and then Vesta Veterans Head on 22nd March – this was cancelled last year.   All support very much appreciated (and thanks to those who came to Molesey on Sunday – we heard you!)

Paul Davis