Henley crews shine at Reading Small Boats Head

Henley Rowing Club celebrated a successful day at Reading Small Boats Head on Saturday 10 October, with category wins across the junior and masters squads. From single sculls to fours and quads, the results offered an encouraging start to the autumn racing season.

The junior women produced several standout performances. In the Women’s Junior 16 Coxed Fours, Faustine LeBlanc, Eloise Askin, Lottie Cotton and Eliza Vann, coxed by Emily Mackie, won their category ahead of local rivals Wallingford.

Their teammates matched that success in the Women’s Junior 16 Coxless Fours. Charlotte Roberts, Zeffie Whiteman, Darcy Kenny and Elizabeth Patterson took first place, with Wimbledon High School second and Wallingford third.

There was another victory in the Women’s Junior 15 Coxed Quads, where Emma Groat, Isabelle Pennington, Katie Clegg and Aurelia Buckingham, coxed by Eva Lily Worboys, added to Henley’s winning tally.

In the pairs, Polina Bezuhlyi and Issy Hughes secured first place in the Women’s Junior 17 event. Issy then teamed up with Scarlett Hyde for another strong performance in the Women’s Junior 18 Coxless Pairs.

Henley’s younger scullers also impressed. Sophie Carter, Scarlett Spearing, Sophia LeBlanc and Matilda Woodford, coxed by Hadley McKean, won the Women’s Junior 14 Coxed Quads. Henley’s second crew completed a club one-two, finishing a commanding two minutes and 25 seconds ahead of third-placed Lady Eleanor Holles School.

Tom Leppard delivered an emphatic win in the Junior 15 Single Sculls, finishing more than a minute ahead of King’s Canterbury in second, with Maidenhead third.

The Junior 16 quad of Charle Chapman, Finley Lea, Edward Jones and Will Askin won in 12:29.0. Henley’s second boat secured another one-two for the club, finishing ahead of Winchester College in third.

The masters squad contributed to the day’s success, with Molloy and Lock winning the Women’s Masters E/G Double Sculls in 15:44.9. Morgan also put in a strong performance in the Women’s Masters C/D/E Single Sculls, recording a time of 15:36.7.

Alongside the category wins, the event gave Henley’s crews valuable racing experience against clubs and schools from across the region. It was an opportunity to test combinations, assess early-season form and put training into practice.

Congratulations to all the athletes, coxes and coaches involved in a rewarding day’s racing. The performances provide plenty to build on as Henley’s autumn racing programme continues.