Race Review - Runcorn Junior Regatta 2010

Whilst the focus for senior rowing this week was the Henley Royal Regatta, Runcorn Rowing Club hosted the ever-popular regatta for juniors under the age of 16.

Conditions for the 300 metre short course at Runcorn were excellent for rowing with glorious sunshine, although a headwind developed later on during the day. Trafford entered a large contingent and enjoyed considerable success. Liverpool Victoria, Runcorn and Kings Chester had an even larger presence, but where Trafford rowers came up against them, we held our own.

In the Womens Junior 15 Sculls, in her first regatta at this level and type of boat, Elizabeth Bates put in a sterling performance and overwhelmed competitors from Kings School Chester and Liverpool Victoria Rowing Club to win a gold medal.

In partnership with Freya Sykes, they came third winning a bronze medal in the Womens Junior 15 Double Sculls. Freya also competed in Womens Junior 14 sculls but was unable to add to her medal tally.

In the Mens Junior 15 Double Sculls, Henry Hall and Ben Archer won a silver medal against Agecroft and a large number of local entries from Runcorn Rowing Clubs.

Henry Hall also won a bronze medal in the Mens Junior 15 Sculls.

Elsewhere in the regatta, Ben also contested the Junior 14 sculls and was joined in that event by Conner Alderson and Niall Hatchell, who were both rowing competitively in their first regatta. Good performances were evident from all. Luke Bates represented the club in the Junior 13 sculls – again his first time in a regatta and I am sure it won’t be his last – coming up against strong competition from Warrington and Queen’s Park High School .

All in all a good day’s haul of medals and all the juniors who rowed did Trafford proud.