The weekend of 3rd and 4th of June saw Monmouth crews take to the water at Dorney Lake to race across eight lanes and 2km in the Metropolitan Regatta, organised by London Rowing Club for much of its 157 year history.
The rowers initially participated in an eight, followed by two coxless fours, all battling against tough opponents and a swirling head wind.
Monmouth's first entry was in the Club Eights category on Saturday. As with all races at the Met, all crews race a timetrial to be sorted into their respective finals. After making the I final, the crew pushed hard against formidable competition from Kingston RC, Peterborough, and Bath University. In a tightly contested race, Monmouth's eight enjoyed exceptionally close racing to come in fourth, with a mere six tenths of a second separating the second, third, and fourth positions.
The second day saw the athletes shift their focus to the Club Coxless Fours event. Both coxless fours again timetrialled across a course of 1500m, mercifully reduced from the previous day owing to backlogs in the racing timetable (a reward for being late to start?). The first four progressed to the C Final and the second four to the D, each earning 7th place against some tough competition.
Both fours now return to training ahead of Marlow Regatta on the 17th of June, a final racing practice before taking to the waters at Henley for the Henley Royal Regatta Qualifying races on the 23rd.
Thanks to all who helped make the day happen, especially Bonita Birkett who, in challenging conditions, ably demonstrated that her coxswain daughters get it from their mother!
And also thanks to Ben Rodford for once again some great pictures. https://www.benrodfordphotography.co.uk/index/
Eight:
Cox - Bonita Birkett
Evan Whittal-Williams (S)
Tom Cookman
Oli Partridge
Mark Stewart-Woods
Matt Winters
Sam Morgan
Sam Bainbridge
George Knight
First 4-:
Evan Whittal-Williams (S)
Tom Cookman
Oli Partridge
Mark Stewart-Woods
Second 4-:
Matt Winters
Sam Morgan
Sam Bainbridge
George Knight
Coach: Tim Male