Brookes defend the Ladies Plate

In what was a remarkable performance at last week’s Henley Regatta, BROOKES|Rowing won the Ladies’ Plate a day early. They beat crews from Leander Club and a German senior international crew to qualify both crews for Sunday’s final- therefore securing the title for a second year running.

Last year’s winners Harry Brightmore, Morgan Bolding, Henry Swarbrick, Matt Aldridge and Rory Gibbs returned to the crew for a second year, and were joined by Temple Cup winners Matt Hnatiw, Sam Nunn and Ed Grisedale, with the crew being rounded off with senior international Quentin Antognelli. However, the final was no relaxed affair. With records falling throughout the day, the 1st VIII battled the whole way along the course, equalling the records at the Barrier and for the whole course, and breaking the record at Fawley. The all-Brookes affair demonstrated the strength in depth developed by Head Coach Henry Bailhache-Webb over the last decade.

Henley marked the end of a record-breaking season for the club, with too many highlights to mention them all. On both the men’s and women’s side, both squads have stepped on tremendously, and we look forward to building on this year’s successes when the squad starts back in September -Richard Spratley, Director of Rowing

This rounds off a great season for the club who won the Head of the River, a number of gold medals at BUCS Regatta, and the Academic Eights at Henley Women’s Regatta. The majority of the squad now head off for their summer break, with a number of athletes being involved in the U23, FISU and Senior World Championships throughout the next two months.