Northwich Rowing Club entered a variety of crews of all ages travelling the short distance to south Manchester’s, Trafford Rowing Club based at Sale’s, Walton Park on Sat 17th February to race the Trafford Head Race.
This processional timed race covers 3200m on the historic Bridgewater Canal and was well attended from clubs with in the region.
For many of the rowers this was a new experience; rowing on a narrow canal rather than a wide river. Division 1 competitors suffered from the disagreeable cold, wet weather conditions in the morning which thankfully passed through to bring sunshine accompanied by heavy, hail showers for the rest of the day!
The club was delighted to return with five wins from nine entries.
The Men’s Novice coxed Eight was the Fastest Boat of the day with a final time of 10:39.37. The older junior boys rowed extremely well and were delighted with a decisive win over Agecroft RC.
Intermediate 3 coxed Eight were equally proud of their win beating Trafford RC and Agecroft RC in 10:50.04. It was good to have a win for the Senior men as this squad has dwindled in numbers over the years. It is rapidly growing in strength and confidence and shows potential for the coming season. The crew comprising of older junior boys, graduates from the Learn 2 Row programme and more experienced rowers have been training through the winter in fours and will compete in the forthcoming Eights Head races at Chester and London.
Women’s Intermediate 3 coxed Eight had a very successful win over Trafford RC by over a minute, racing the course in 12:12.38. The older junior girls (16yr & 17yr) entered two eights. This squad has been developing well over the winter and shows a determination to win. These crews will be competing in March at the North West Junior Time Trial for selection to represent the North West at the Inter Regionals in the Spring.
Women’s Masters D coxed Four winning, in a new formation, against Hollingworth Lake RC by over a minute.
Women’s Junior 14 coxed quad raced the 3200m extremely well with one of the crew members racing the distance twice! Callie Bloodworth and her crew won in Division 2. She no sooner finished the race in Division 2 and was back in the boat as a substitute for the other NRC crew racing in Division 3, who unfortunately were beaten by Warrington RC.
The Women’s novice squad which is growing in number and capability was well represented by a coxed Four made up from graduates of the Learn 2 Row programme.
NRC Crew winners
The Men’s Novice coxed Eight:
Lewis Morgan, Fynn Lawton, Nathan Jump, Rian Gamble, Zak Trigg
Tom Astirades, Liam Adamson, Alex Murphy, cox Craig Milne
Intermediate 3 coxed Eight:
Andy Malins, Nick Parkes, Adam Webster, Geoff Sims, Chris Crawford,
Phil Hewitt, Sam Coverley, Shane Dickinson, cox James Morrison
Women’s Intermediate 3 coxed Eight:
Libby Weltman, Olivia Oaks, Sam Over, Ash Husdon, Kristian Purchase, Daisy Dell, Beth Chaplin, Kate Meehan cox Chloe Weston
Women’s Masters D coxed Four:
Carolyn MacRitchie, Carole Riddell, Clare Holt, Elaine Young
cox Jonty Moore
Women’s Junior 14 coxed quad:
Sophie Bury, Callie Bloodworth, Emma Roberts, Vicky Gardner
cox Sam Platt
The next event NRC will attending is The Head of the Trent, Nottingham
25 February.
NW Junior Time Trial, Runcorn RC, 4 March.
