The 29th of October saw MUBCs novice crews take on their first race. For our 32-strong squad, this would not only be their first race of the 2017/18 academic season, but their first ever race. This year was the first time that the LUBC Nov race day was BUCS endorsed. With local rivals Liverpool University Rowing Club and Liverpool John Moors in attendance the completion was high.
The squad set off early from Manchester to head to the Runcorn Rowing Club. For the first year in recent memory the sun was out and the winds were abated for the event. Liverpool Rowing Club had kindly lent two 8’s and two full sets of blades for Manchester’s use. After a quick walk of the course both squads had their race briefings and began to prepare for the day ahead.
First off were the women’s 8’s in division 1:
1st VIII ‘Domin-8-trix’: Emma Leverton, Katy Billington, Lucy Laughton, Tami Brooks, Felicitas Buck, Lionnuala Fane, Tilly Meighen, Eloise Bromley, Chloe Townsend-Willia
2nd VIII ‘Blades of Glory’: Thomas O’hanlon, Zoe Walton Cairns, Louisa Manby, Hannah Vaughan, Claire Baxter, Jess Fearon, Georgie Cowell, Dearbhla McKinney and Charlotte Orr.
Both boats performed brilliantly despite only having started rowing less than 6 weeks ago. Domin-8-trix rowed cleanly through the finish line at a high pace, picking up 3rd. ‘Blades of glory’ were looking great but decided to go fishing for crabs just before the line. However, they recovered their composure quickly and stepped on to finish in a very respectable time, encouraged on by the men’s crews shouting from the banks.
Having seen their team mates put in a strong fight, the men’s squads were eager to get out onto the water. Due to the timing of reading week availability was thin but after conversations with Liverpool, MUBC were able to make a full 8 and a composite crew with two of Liverpool’s Novices. This enabled more participation from both boat clubs, giving everyone the opportunity to show how hard they had been training.
1st VIII: Emma Leverton, Karolis Ven, Dan Ellis, Joley Lawrence, Evan Wong, Joshua Burrows, Raad Aldakhil, Neil Sharma, Danny Crofton.
2nd VIII: Thomas O’Hanlon, Lewis Chris Renwick, Elias Schede, Josh Knight Steward, Ben Winter, Ben Koravand, Patrick McLaughlin, LUBC sub, LUBC sub.
Despite few outings together the crews rowed well and took the challenge head on. There were one or two heroic crabs thrown in but the squads didn’t stop fighting until the line. The 1st VIII collected 3rd, with the 2nd VIII coming in at 4th.
“The nov men boat I coxed, there were bits where they were really moving that boat along. On the paddle to the start from the marshalling area we hadn’t took the pressure up yet but still quickly gaining on the John Moores crew that ended up winning it”
Thomas O’Hanlon
Liverpool picked up Gold in both divisions with some very cohesive crews. While MUBC didn’t win on this occasion there were some very positive points to take away from the weekend and some very clear points to work on in future. It is clear that there is huge potential in both squads and a positive team spirit that will surely see them triumph over the challenges that come.
Huge thanks are due to LUBC and RCC for organising and hosting the event respectively. Also, to our Captains and committee members and coaches for giving up their time to develop the squad.
Results:
Women’s 8s:
1: 03:57.9 LIU
2: 03:58.9 LJM
3: 04:01.9 MAU 1st
4: 05:04.5 MAU 2nd
Men’s 8’s:
1: 03:20.6 LJM
2: 03:23.6 LIU
3: 03:42.2 MAU 1st
4: 04:47.2 MAU 2nd
Race Report by Sebastian Baylis