Globe Rowing Club

Once again our juniors carried the Globe flag triumphantly at Barnes & Mortlake Regatta at the weekend. Alan Wylie, club President reports;

WJ14 1X The second race of the days events featured Globe’s Sorcha Liston-Smith sculling the first heat of  the  J14 singles against Putney high School. Sorcha won her heat comfortably by a 2 length margin to go through to the final.

Race three saw Globe’s Sophie Pritchard fresh from her success last week at Peterborough looking to add to her collection this week, Sophie like Sorcha was drawn against a Putney High sculler Sophie sculled in to win by a comfortable 1 length to set up an all Globe final, something not seen often in Globe’s annals in regatta racing.

J15 1X saw our J15 stalwart Jack Davidson competing again, Jack sculled a terrific race to beat the Tiffin School opponent easily for a semi-final place.Next was the turn of James French one of our newer scullers who sculled an extremely good race but lost out in the final stages to the more experienced Tiffin School sculler.

WJ14 4X+ The Quad, Globes flagship crew among the Juniors, This saw the two single scullers Sorcha and Sophie in the boat at cox and three respectively, stroked by Alicia Buckley and with the bow pair of Molly Atkinson and Alice Dwyer. Once again up against a quad from Putney High, it certainly was not Putney’s day, the Globe quartet led from start to finish crossing the line  at least three lengths ahead to secure a final place.

J14 2X In this event Globe were represented by two of our J13 scullers Gregory Blanchard and William French “rowing up” as there was no J13 event, rowing against a very confident Kingston RC double Will and Greg lost by  about two lengths after a splendid race. These two young men, both very new to the club have great potential and I am sure with more experience will become very accomplished scullers.

J15 1X Semi-final Jack Davidson once again this time avenging James French by beating the Tiffin sculler to stake his place in the final against Poplars Alfie Anderson, Jacks great friend but also his great rival.

J16 2X Saw Jack and James “rowing up” as there was no J15 doubles event unfortunately losing out to Tiffin school after a close fought race.

WJ14 X4+ Final. The tide had turned by this time and the course was reversed this meant that all the watching parents and globies could only see the first 400 metres as the upstream finish is inaccessible.Drawn against a Kingston RC crew who looked extremely apprehensive after watching Globes quartet power away from the boating area. The start saw our girls, ably coxed by Sorcha, take the lead from the off and gradually extend the lead until they were out of sight, the report by phone from the finish by an intrepid parent was a fifteen length win for the Globettes, the official verdict being Globe easily.

WJ14 X1 Final. The most eagerly awaited race of the day by parents, grandparents, young and old Globies plus our near neighbours Poplar, again the tide had turned so the spectators could enjoy the final 500 metres and enjoy they did, everybody screaming encouragement to both Sorcha and Sophie who when they came in sight were neck and neck, Sorcha the more experienced sculler found something and pulled out to a length lead, Sophie the young pretender fought back and closed Sorcha down, rowing through to a half length lead and looked to be going for the kill, in the last 10 metres disaster struck, Sophie, in the lead caught a crab her scream was heard both by the crowd and Sorcha who took full advantage and pinched the win in the last five strokes, a brilliant race by both of these young ladies who are certainly a force to be reckoned with in the WJ14 event. Sophie who was in tears returning to the boating area was immediately hugged by Sorcha and the rest of the girls. All great friends ashore but deadly rivals afloat. A special thank you to both girls for a brilliant race.

J15 1X Final saw Jack Davidson pitted against his friend and rival Poplar’s Alfie Anderson, once again Jack sculled his utmost but sad to say the laurels this time went in Poplar’s direction, Jack deserves a special mention as he always has a terrific zest for the race and always gives one hundred and ten per cent effort.Well done Jacko.

Finally thanks to all the friends and families who come to support the juniors, the help given and the general camaraderie of everyone that makes Globe’s regatta racing a wonderful days sport.

Alan Wylie
President
Globe Rowing Club