CCBC - News - Pennant Series 2001

Double Victory in College Pennant Series

Epiphany Term 2001

Finish Collingwood College narrowly missed out on an historic triple victory in last terms inter-collegiate rowing Pennant series, taking two of the three categories. College hopes of winning the men's title for a second year running were dashed by the Castle first four following decisions to re-row several controversially close races at the final event.

Although the overall college trophy had been secured by CCBC early on in the series, much rested on the outcome of the final days racing in the battle for the men's and women's titles. The Collingwood women secured their shield over Hatfield rivals early on in the afternoon winning a grudge race against one of the college's novice men's crews with clear water. Their initial victory in removing the women's Pennant from it's traditional home boded well for the club who, with two men's crews in the top division, were hopeful of being able to head for Tideway on a positive note.

As weather conditions deteriorated, races for the final division began with the 'Wood and Trevs first fours striding down the course to cross the line in tandem. Outgoing Captain of College Rowing and newly elected Collingwood Captain Robin Collings ruled the finish (pictured) as having been too close to call, and whilst the two crews paddled back to the start line, Castle's first four secured victory over the Collingwood seconds. The re-row resulted in an easy win for Collingwood firsts, but left the crew with little time to recover before the final and eagerly anticipated sprint against an equally strong UCBC four stroked by former DUBC freshman and erstwhile Collingwood student Toby Stewart.

Tensions ran high for this, the deciding race. Though Collingwood steered a near-perfect line down the river, pushing their opponents into dead water, Castle clawed back with one final 30-stroke push. The small lead held by the Collingwood crew going into Baths Bridge evaporated over the last few strokes to take the crews into an agonisingly close finish. Ruled as a dead heat, marshals called for a second re-row in circumstances which UCBC men's Captain Dave Shaw described as 'harsh' on the Collingwood four. An intensive training schedule and the tactical decision to make just one 30-stroke push past Hild Bede took an inspired Castle boat to their final victory, with just over a length on their now exhausted rivals.

Collingwood were, however, not too dejected by the experience, and their novice men's eight put in an impressive performance at Tideway the weekend after. CCBC Men's Captain Neil Baldwin explained that, finishing with two of the top three college men's crews, he was delighted with Collingwood's performance and very excited about the club's prospects in next term's regatta season.

Katherine Murray
Appeared in Palatinate (University Newspaper) issue 620

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