Univ's senior women started the term strongly, with a large squad of keen rowers making trips to Godstow to train together, and a comprehensive training plan from Coach John Ewans, whose enthusiasm and commitment got everyone excited for the term. After a couple weeks of training, the racing began, with an excellent performance in IWL A, where our eight won the women's category with a sharp and focused row, and where our two fours came first and second, with only a 5 second difference in time between them!

With this strong performance and healthy intra-squad competition, we were keen to perform at Autumn Fours. As the only college with two fours entered, we were the envy of many a boat club captain for the strength and depth of our squad. The B Four ("Bounteous Perfection") put in a solid win against Balliol before losing to Hertford in the semi final, while our A Four ("Absolutely Fabulous"), after dusting off Brasenose and Wolfson, sorted out Hertford to claim the win, while supported on the bank by John.

The next week, the rowers from our A Four, combined with cox Anson Cheung, making "Ansonlutely Fabulous", went on to win the senior women's fours at Nephthys, with wins over Keble and St. Peters.

After the excitement of Nephthys and Christ Church novice racing was over, thoughts turned to Wallingford Head - a race outside the bubble. With the return of Univ legend Hannah Farley to stroke both crews, excitement was growing, tempered only by the horrendous weather forecast, with 46 mph winds forecast. The four were racing first, and won the Women's IM3 4+ category, beating Exeter University and University of London among others. Due to a late start for the first division, the four were still racing when the rowers to fill the eight arrived, and Suzanne, Stella, Vicky and Katie managed to rig the eight by themselves, somehow! With yet more crews scratching due to the wind, the eight marshalled against the bank, determined to get a good race in. We finished 5th out of 15 crews, beating Lea RC and only five seconds slower than Oxford Brookes University. Meanwhile Coach John was racing with Upper Thames RC, winning his category in the 4 and the 8!

A successful term and great improvement in the squad means we are very excited for Torpids and to continue racing both in Oxford and away next term!

Niamh Broderick
Women’s Captain

Crew

• W1 Wallingford Head 2015/2016 (4+)
• W1 Wallingford Head 2015/2016 (8+)
• W2 Autumn Fours 2015/2016 (4+)
• W1 Autumn Fours 2015/2016 (4+)
• W1 Autumn Fours 2015/2016 (4+)
• W2 IWL A 2015/2016 (4+)
• W1 IWL A 2015/2016 (8+)

Posted on Jan 31, 2016

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