Nick Wright previews this weekend's clash between York City Knights and Hull FC
Alex Reid looks at whether the once ever-present appearance of English clubs in the later stages of the Champions League is set to become a thing of the past
Craig Dobson looks at QPR's decision to sack Neil Warnock and replace him with Mark Hughes
James Tompkinson reviews an excellent pre-season victory for the York City Knights against Yorkshire rivals Leeds Rhinos
Though traditionally a man's sport, such a large number of entries was just a small indication of how women’s rowing is growing dramatically, and according to the A.R.A (amateur rowing association) estimates, women account for over 40% of the total active registered rowers.
York entered the intermediate coxed fours, with a crew of Ashley Haycock (cox), Jillian Tongue, Harriet Edmonds, Alix Odgers and Raeesa Chowdhury, the most competitive of all categories with 52 entries and only 32 qualifying. The time trials began at 9am with the intermediate eights. Watching them race down the course from Temple Island to Upper Thames Boat Club, overall 1500m, it was clear that the weather conditions were affecting the crews.
The strong head wind meant that the crews were suffering to hold a high rate and to keep their length of the stroke. The coxed fours time trail began at 10.15am, the crews were set off in alphabetical order and 30 seconds apart. This meant that York was set off 3rd from last having Vesta and York City to push off.
York’s crew started their time trial in a good rhythm, keeping the catches clean and strokes long, sitting back into the head wind they began to close the gap with the crew in front. Looking strong the crew made a push past the enclosures and onto the final few hundred metres. An increase in the rate of stroke powered York over the finish line.
Finishing in a time of 6minutes and 7 seconds was impressive but unfortunately was not enough to qualify them for the next round. Being only 6 seconds off qualification, captain Alix Odgers commented ‘it was disappointing to come so close, but we gave it everything and rowed a very competitive race’.
This was both Tongue and Edmond's last race for York, as both are graduating next year, and there were emotional scenes as the fairytale ending of making the next round was not realised. Coach Rory Semple moved swiftly to numb the pain with a pitcher of Pimm's, but seemed nonetheless satisfied. 'It's the peak of the season, and therefore the most competitive time. The girls have done themselves justice'.
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