As the Head Race season draws to a close, Maidenhead Rowing Club entered two Development Women’s boats in the 2,000m Abingdon Head Race on Sunday and both crews won, showing the Women’s rowing scene that they really do mean business!

 (Picture courtesy of Big Blade)

Following a hard winter training season, the 20 strong Development Women’s Squad had already entered a Women’s Novice coxed four in the 2,000m Bedford Small Boats Head on April 10 and had been rewarded for their winter work with an excellent result. The girls raced home in 2nd place in a time of 8.18 minutes, only four seconds behind the event winners, Broxbourne RC.

But the best was yet to come. Last Sunday, the squad entered 2 boats in one of the last 2,000m Head Races of the winter; a Women’s Novice Coxed Four and a Women’s Novice Coxed Eight. It proved to be the perfect warm-up for the Regatta season with both crews winning their events.

The coxed four consisted of Christèle Blin, Clare Wallace, Louise Perry and Jo Macbeth and they enjoyed resounding success of winning the event in 8 mins and 54 secs.

The coxed eight was comprised of Christèle Blin, Anna-Lisa Braddick, Louise Perry, Clare Wallace, Anne-Fleur van Diem, Becca Perkins, Kay Fullick and Jo Gower who won the event in 8 mins and 41 secs.  Both crews were expertly coxed by Emma Sankerin.

Dev Womens Coach Paul Gerrard was delighted with the wins and said "It’s really great news. Well done to both crews yesterday, especially the girls who raced twice. Our first wins this year set us up nicely for the coming regattas."

"I also want to thank all the girls who didn't row yesterday who have practiced in the crews and allowed the squad to develop into a competitive outfit. The wins are an achievement for the whole squad not just those who collect the prizes."

The Dev Women now look forward to the Regatta season which kicks off for them at Wallingford Regatta at Dorney Lake on May 1st, where they’ll be looking for even more success.

(Pictures courtesy of Big Blade)