OUBC Women vs Oxford Brookes University

After last year’s decisive six-length defeat, the Oxford women had a fight on their hands as they went up against their neighbours, rivals and formidable opponents, Oxford Brookes. Racing against the UK’s premier rowing university provided the Dark Blue women with a fantastic opportunity to test their resilience.

As commentator Martin Cross was quick to say, ‘maintaining contact’ would be a good result for Oxford.

PHOTOGRAPHY BENEDICT TUFNELL

The Oxford women met Brookes’ women on the Championship Course for a race consisting of three fiveminute (roughly) contests. A slick, quick start for both crews and Oxford cox, Joe Gellett, quickly brought his crew closer to Brookes looking for faster water. Brookes settled well and seemed in control. Along the Fulham wall, Brookes were the more threatening of the two crews, but the Dark Blues’ ferocious intent kept them in Brookes’ side-eye. At the end of the first piece the two crews converged, keeping Umpire Clare Harvey tested, yet the blade precision of Brookes was better, and they finished the first piece three quarters of a length ahead.

For the second piece, the course favoured Brookes on the Surrey bend. Both crews returned to piece two recomposed and determined to settle the score. After a running start, Brookes once again went off quicker, but Oxford soon settled and looked less nervy. They clung onto Brookes’ stern seats until the finish, once again finishing three quarters of a length behind.

“The two crews converged together keeping Umpire Clare Harvey tested.”

Right off the bat, in the final piece, it was clear Oxford knew they could compete against Brookes as stroke Annie Anezakis led her crew with a more aggressive start. Oxford squeezed out ahead. Brookes worked hard to close the gap as the Dark Blues enjoyed having their bow ball out in front for the first time, knowing full well the next bend would be to their advantage. Approaching the finish line, it was Oxford who wielded the superior firepower and to the surprise of most spectators they broke free of Brookes, took more than one length of clear water and were able to celebrate a win. Oxford’s new coach, Allan French, said: “There are no short-cuts to success and the training put in over the last few months has given the squad confidence to take on the best. Margins were tight across the board but the resilience on display was clear to see and no more so than in the provisional Blue Boat vs Brookes race where after two 3/4 length losses, the crew was able to turn it round in the third and final piece and win by 1 1/2 lengths. As ever there is much work to do but the group can certainly take lessons learnt on Sunday into training over the next two months in the run up to the Boat Race”.

Oxford’s performance was a watershed moment for the Club and showed them turning the tide on the mighty power of Brookes. The spectacle left commentators saying that this could be the best Oxford women’s boat we have seen in recent years.