Molesey Boat Club

Final trials, held at the usual location of Hazewinkel in Belgium, offered Molesey another chance to step up in the world of GB Rowing. We had representation from:

Mo and James: Men's fat pair. / Melanie: Women's single / Jenny: Women's single / Ruth: Women's single / Hodge: Men's Single / Tom Solesbury: Men's Single / Cam Nichol - sick.

The campaign started well with Mo and James in the pair coming an unexpected 3rd in the time trial and Mel in her single putting in a good performance to finish 8th. With a good tail wind developing and the skies clearing there was some good racing on the horizon.

The semi's went well, with Hodge in the 1x taking out Leander's Marcus Bateman to make the A final. Mo and James also continued their good form to reach the A final in style. Mel had a bit of a shocker and forgot what the sticks she was holding were for, ending in the 'B' final with Jenny and Ruth (U23) who had put in solid performances against the girls they need to beat to make the team this summer. Solesbury braved the tougher semi in the 1x, and consequently set his sights on a good 'B' final.

Come finals day, the tail wind was still there, just, with a hazy start to the day.

Hodge, who had taken down Rowbotham the day before to win the semi, now also had Campbell and Wells to contend with. As they disappeared over the horizon, Hodge found himself fighting it out with Rowbotham - again. In the sprint for the line Hodge managed to hold off the Leander man finishing in fourth place, a mightily respectable result for a rower. In the B final of the 1x Solesbury found himself in the race but after 2 weeks in the single found the going a bit tough in the second half finishing in 12th overall.

Mo and James, the undisputed underdogs, had a point to prove after their first senior camp in Varese. The two olympic crewed boats in the field established an early lead with the Molesey pair battling against Leander for the 3rd spot. After a mature race, they were in 3rd going into the last 500, however they were unable to hold off an experienced sprint and were nudged into 4th. A great start to their senior rowing careers.

Mel, Jenny and Ruth also found themselves up against some experienced scullers from the senior team, and punching above their weight. The main opposition for the 'B' final was Tash Howard, from the Olympic Women's 8. Putting up a fine showing for Molesey, Mel was nip and tuck with Tash over the whole course, with Tash just pipping her to the post by half a second.

Jenny and Ruth also put in fantastic performances with Jenny leading the charge off the line with a very quick start. She rowed her strongest race finishing in a close 4th. Ruth dominated her under-23 opposition, coming in a respectable 5th place.

Overall a great weekend for Molesey!