The University of Reading Boat Club (RUBC) showed why it is considered to be one of the top university rowing clubs in the country with another fabulous team performance, this time in the recent Fours Head of the River competition in London.
Over 500 high-class crews took part in the event held on the Thames between Mortlake and Putney. Tideway Scullers successfully defended their Fours Head title with RUBC finishing a superb 3rd place, just behind the prestigious Leander crew from Henley.
RUBC's leading male and female boats finished a fantastic 3rd and 4th respectively in the overall competition, and in both cases ended the w/e as the top university! This was an amazing performance from both crews but a special mention must go to the men's team, as half the original rowers were struck down with illness only a few days before racing began; a magnificent effort.
Eight RUBC crews were on the water, competing in one of the premier events on the rowing calendar. Considering they were racing against boats full of internationals their fantastic results demonstrate the wealth of talent at the club.
"This has been another great w/e for the club," said RUBC Director of Rowing Will Rand. "RUBC is extremely thankful to the University for its continued support and is looking forward to another hugely successful season. Our strength in depth is wonderful to see and we hope to have a squad that will challenge for many places on the 2008 Great Britain Olympic Team."
The next challenge for RUBC is the British Indoor Rowing Championships, where they will be racing members from Oxford and Cambridge Boat Clubs.
Full results can be found at the 4's Head website. (PDF file)
| RUBC crews were: |
| Elite mens quad – Bill Lucas, Alex Gregory, John Preston & Dan Ritchie |
| Elite Womens quad – Anna Bebington, Tash Page, Hester Goodsell & Laura Greenhalgh |
| Senior 1 mens quad – Alex Walker, Rory Parsons, Peter Charij & Bruce Simpson |
| Senior 1 mens coxless four – Phil Turnham, Brad Whale, Robin Dowell & Chris Carew |
| Senior 2 mens coxless four – Sam Waterson, Simon Barbour, Ed Birrell & David Ewart |
| Senior 2 womens quad – Jenny Cogger, Jo Lyons, Laura Hunter-Smith & Nikki Brown |
| Senior 3 mens coxed four – Mark Symons, Brad Topps, Ollie Wilkinson, Luke Levitt & Rhiannon Jones |
| Senior 3 womens coxed four – Jenny Collins, Philli Cuss, Lucy Powell, Maria Gerelle & Clare Calver. |
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Above:
Dan Ritchie, John Preston & Alex Gregory & Bill Lucas
- 3rd overall. |
 |
Above:
Laura Greenhalgh, Hester Goodsell, Tash Page & Anna Bebington
- 4th womens crew overall. |
