Stourport Reach Finals at Reading ... 1974

Stourport Boat Club reached the finals of two events at one of the top regattas in the country last weekend, Reading Amateur Regatta.
The crew comprising Mick Edmonds, Pete Lashford, Keith Barwise, Phil Downes and cox Mark Cook, racing above their status in Senior B Coxed Fours, beat Kingston Rowing Club by 2 1/2 lengths to reach the semi final, here they met a strong Thames Rowing Club crew who led off the start, but received no less than seven warnings from the umpire before being disqualified as the Stourport crew rowed through to win. In the final they met a good Quintin crew who had gained 1/2 length lead after 750 metres but were not pulling any further ahead. At the finish they were 1 length ahead, but full credit must go to this young crew who never allowed the heavier Quintin crew to pull away.
The Senior A Coxless Four of Paul Graetz (bow and steers), Peter Lloyd, Tom Edwards and Richard Lloyd were drawn against Monmouth in their first heat, whom they beat by 1/2 length in a tight race, Stourport just maintaining an early lead. In the semi final they met a strong Reading University four who were doubling up into Elite Coxless Fours. Relaxing into a strong racing stride, Stourport held an early lead and eventually won by 1 1/2 lengths. The final matched them against Molesey Boat Club who had beaten the Stourport crew at Henley last year. Again Stourport led away, and were half a length clear with a bend in their favour to come when the rudder string broke. With four minutes of the race still to run, Stourport continued, but could not avoid the bouys and other hazards down the course, being compelled to steer with varying pressures on the blades. Molesey eventually won by 3 lengths, but despite this disappointment, both crews were well pleased with their performance.
Also racing on Saturday, at Stratford Regatta were a Novice Four and a Senior C Sculler. The Novice crew beat Hereford but then lost by a canvas on a staggered finish. Eddy Mol lost his first heat of Senior C Sculls to Loughborough.
Birmingham Sprint Regatta last Sunday saw the club's biggest entry for many years, fielding no less than 5 crews. The Senior A Four, racing in Open Coxless Fours had a straight three boat final with Hereford and a combined Nottingham and Bristol University crew. At halfway Stourport were 3 feet down on the Hereford four and clear of the University crew, but a strong burst at the finish saw Hereford win by 3/4 length.
The Senior C crew won their first heat by 4 feet and then came in a length clear in the semi final, however the effects of three 1500 metre rows and two 800 metre rows over the weekend took its toll, and Stourport came in second of four in the final, just holding off Mortlake Anglian Boat Club at the line.
The two Novice Fours came second and third respectively in their first heats, thus ending up in the same repechage heat with a strong Birmingham four. The 'A' crew came closest to beating Birmingham, who went on to win the final by a comfortable distance, finishing 3/4 length down, with the 'B' four another length behind.
Stourport also fielded a ladies four who raced remarkably well against experienced oarswomen from London, Bewdley and Derby. Although they did not win, it was good to see the ladies section of the club represented and looking very competent against stronger opposition.
R. Lloyd Report June 1974