Issue 111 - August/September 1998

Radley ride high among the glory runs

There were signs of excitement even on the first day when selected Abingdon were led to half way by perennial giant-killers, Canford. Abingdon kept their cool and survived. An expected close battle between St. Mary's and their Canadian rivals, Holy Cross, failed to materialise when Holy Cross had a messy start, New Zealand and Australian crews went out to St. Paul's and Radley 'B' respectively, and the Oratory, relative newcomers, rowed through Henley regulars, Pangbourne, towards the finish.

Noise levels rose on Thursday as three of the selected crews, Eton, St. Mary's and Radley, had to fight for their lives to stay in the frame. Eton, to cheers which obliterated the commentary, just beat St. Edward's, St. Paul's pushed St. Mary's right to the line, and Radley, late in the day, squeezed past St. Paul's, US, after all seemed lost at half way.

Abingdon were the first selected crew to fall on the Friday in a remarkable race against Westminster. Westminster took a marginal lead to the Barrier as a result of higher rating. Abingdon, apparently composed, always looked poised to pounce, but, every time they tried, Westminster upped their pace and were still half a length ahead at the line. Westminster's run ended on Saturday at the hands of the Americans and history was made in the other semi-final when Radley had, by PE standards, an easy 1 1/2 length win over Eton - remarkably the first time that Radleians had bettered Etonions over the Henley Royal course.

It looked as though making history had taken its toll in the final as Radley were led by 1 1/2 lengths by St Mary's at half way and their glory run was over. The crew thought otherwise, came back and back, and won by half a length. It was Radley's first win since 1962.

© Copyright Regatta Magazine, 1998.