This
was the Cardinals first appearance on the water for some time and their debut
at Henley Town & Visitors Regatta. Not dissimilar to previous show-up-and-rows
the Club has hosted, bar one small factor: a 1,000 metre course!
The
four raced off first and had a disappointing result, coming in last after a rapid
start against Vesta and Pars Priory.
An
hour later, the eight was due to line up on the start against Sandhurst and a
Vesta/Lady Elizabeth composite. Ian Cassells redefined our show-up-and-row events
when he was discovered wondering the tow path and was persuaded into the crew
barely a minute before it boated!
Both
opposition crews were known to be 'Henley-fit' so the aim was to get up off the
start and then cling on for another 950 metres! So it was, the simple start practised
the night before was the fastest off the blocks, although Vesta quickly pulled
through to take a lead which they held to the line. Meanwhile, the Cardinals boat
held off a neck-and-neck battle with Sandhurst to beat them over the finish by
a canvas.