Scotch College

Old Scotch rowers take on the world

Old Boys can be found rowing in England, Poland, and the Czech Republic.

WORDS: MS KEIRON JONES – HEAD OF YEAR 11

During the June/July school holidays several Old Scotch Collegians and one current Scotch boy travelled to the UK to compete at the Henley Royal Regatta.

The regatta is raced over 2112 metres into a strong current, and is run in a match race knockout format. This means that the racing is much like a tennis tournament, and the losers of each one-on-one race take no further part in the regatta. There are various exclusive enclosures and grandstands and all manner of water craft surround the course.

A large group of enthusiastic parents travelled in support of these crews. Melbourne University Boat Club is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, and was pleased to see several crews representing it overseas.

Andrew Emmett (Year 11) competed in the Fawley Challenge Cup, an under–19 quad scull event. The crew comprised members from Melbourne Grammar School, Geelong College and Xavier College, and raced as the Melbourne University and Barwon Rowing Club. The crew comprised Tim Cleary (GC, stroke), Tim Masters (MGS, three–seat), Simon Keenan (XC, two–seat) and Andrew Emmett (bow), and was coached by Tom Woodruff (Scotch staff) and Nick Lloyd (MGS 1st VIII coach). The crew progressed to the quarter finals, before being beaten by the eventual winners, Westminster School by three-quarters of a length. The Melbourne University and Barwon quad held the lead until the second half of the race, before being overhauled by the Westminster quad. The Westminster School Quad is the reigning UK national champion, and was not led from the start by any other crew to either the 500 metre or 1000 metre mark during this regatta.

In the Temple Cup, an eight from Melbourne University raced with six Old Scotch Collegians on board: Lachlan McKenzie (‘07, bow), Simon Brown (’08, two–seat), Josh Booth (’08, five–seat), Simon Booth (’05, six–seat), James Adams (’05, seven–seat) and Ben Bailey (’06, cox). The crew was also coached by Tom Woodruff. The crew defeated the Cambridge Goldie eight on day one, Imperial College on day two and Kent School from the USA on Friday, the third day. Having reached the weekend, and being one of the final four crews from the initial entries of 58, the eight faced Brown University from the USA. The Brown crew got the better of the start and used this early advantage to control the race. The next day in the final, on Sunday, Princeton University defeated Brown to win the division. Although the crew was disappointed, no Australian crew has reached the semi-finals of the Temple Cup event before. GS