March 14th 1998

Cambridge beat Molesey too

Cambridge turned on a polished performance in windy conditions to beat Molesey from Putney to Chiswick Steps on March 14. Molesey had a flying start on the Middlesex station and over-rated Cambridge by two to three pips after the crews settled. The Cambridge bow showed in front before Barn Elms boathouse was reached, Liz Chick steering Molesey, seemed to give a bit of tide to Potts, and Cambridge had a length lead at the Mile. They extended this to more than two lengths at Hammersmith Bridge and were about five lengths ahead when they stopped in the midst of a dinghy race opposite St Paul's School. This was prudent decision by Potts.

Goldie, the Cambridge reserves who had previously beaten UL Tyrian, took Cambridge on from the Bandstand at Duke's Meadows to the Boat Race finish. Cambridge, again on Surrey, led by half a length at Barnes Bridge, crossed closely over Goldie's bows and won by about 4 four lengths.

Apart from the substituting of Oxford Blue Chick for Kevin Whyman, the Cambridge Blue, in the coxes's seat, Molesey boated the same crew beaten by Oxford a week previously, though conditions and Molesey's approach to each encounter differed. Oxford beat the Reading Head winners Oxford Brookes University by a length plus in each of two six minute pieces at Wallingford on March 11.

Crews on March 14:
Cambridge - bow Graham Smith, Paul Cunningham, Jonathan Bull, Brad Crombie, Toby Wallace, Alex Story, Stefan Forster, stroke Marc Weber, cox Alistair Potts.
Molesey - bow Mark Hunter, James Wright, Mike Renaud, Philip Simmons, Jonny Searle, Greg Searle, Jim Walker, stroke - Richard Stanhope, cox Liz Chick.

© Copyright Christopher Dodd, 1998.