OCRC | The Archive | Cardinals VIII vs Oratory 1st VIII 2000

Cardinals VIII versus Oratory 1^st VIII 2000

The Crew

Bow	Robert D. C. Bruce	(96)
2	Andrew P. D. Flood	(96)
3	Hugh M. Johnson	(99)
4	Steven C. Tassell	(95)
5	Timothy R. Flynn	(96)
6	Ian A. Cassells	(96)
7	Christopher F. Hitchins	(98)
Stroke	James W. Strenner	(Guest)

Cox	Sarah M. Cockle	(Guest)

The Story

It had long been the Club's intention to hold an old boy's race against the School's 1^st VIII. So it was that on the Monday evening preceding Henley both crews were to be found training on the course, and by agreement between both coaches, the Cardinals Thames VIII lined up against the Oratory 1^st VIII.

The first race was a short sprint to the Quarter Mile off Temple Island. After a blisteringly quick start from the Oratory (which was later to prove one of the fastest starts of any British school crew at Henley), the Cardinals managed to pull back the lead and draw away to win by ¾ length.

With both crews interested in gaining race experience, the coaches decided to call another race, but this time over the longer distance to the Barrier. The race pattern was similar, with the School eight fastest off the stake boats but putting in a much tighter challenge. The Cardinals finally pulled through to hold 1½ lengths.

It is very much hoped that this will become an annual fixture.

What's your story?

The Evidence

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First Race

Second Race

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