Weight of experience was matched by weight in the boat. As the sleek, black Resolute shell pushed away from the bank not a lot of the hull was above the water line. In the early rounds the crunch race was at 9.12 am Saturday against a US/Crabtree composite who'd bolstered their numbers by bringing in mercenaries Dave Gillard and Clive Kennedy Burn. We crossed the line a comfortable canvas ahead and gave Clive a box of tissues as he was sobbing uncontrollably. He would not be adding a coveted Henley Vets medal to his Ladies Plate win the week before.
A back injury meant the crew needed to be rearranged for both 8s finals and Hugh Mackworth Pread was good enough to leave his lunch table to jump in the boat. A solid 1 length win against a lively Nottingham composite saw the Vet b final won but in Vet c the US/Crabtree compsite took revenge with a half length victory.
A very enjoyable campaign with 3 previous Olympians dragged out of retirement and back into a boat, some support work with Siemens and the "Stroke for Stroke" campaign, and Molesey seen to be fighting to the end as the last group at the Barn Bar using all manner of tactics to force it to remain open.
Particular thanks to Upper Thames for use of their club on the day, Terry Hunter for the boat, Shiplake College for use of facilties, Mel Clift and Paola O'Brien for nutritional support and to all wives and girlfriends for letting the boys out go out and play!
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