Ross enjoy national glory over Olympic course at Dorney Lake (From Hereford Times)

Ross enjoy national glory over Olympic course at Dorney Lake

3:00pm Wednesday 20th March 2013 in Sport

Ross Junior Academy’s WJ14 Octuple stormed to victory in the National Junior Scullers’ Head on the Olympic course at Dorney Lake.

The crew of Scarlett Brodholt, Jess Saxon-Macrostie, Echo Callaghan, Isobel Newey, Naomi Banks-Martin, Francesca Crilley, Emily Morris, Fran Watling and Olli Sturgess (cox) borrowed a boat from King’s School, Ely but the unfamiliar equipment proved no handicap as they beat 24 other crews in a fast time.

The event features some 2,000 competitors from the major rowing schools and clubs in the country. The club’s Junior Academy also entered the Women’s Head of the River, over the same course as the Boat Race, for the first time in their history.

Stroked by Catrin Morris, followed by Effie Hiram, Caitlin Scott, Hazel Thomas, Reenie Jenkins, Livi Baynham-Williams, Jess Crossman, Molly Phillips, Laura Morris and coxed by Rhodri Morris, the crew finished a creditable 186th out of more than 300 entries.

Baynham was also in action herself in another Ross women’s crew, alongside Jane Davies, Alison Griffin, Pam Ball, Deborah Bullock, Karen Blackwood, Anne Morris, Sheron Dean-Lucas and Kevin Griffin (cox), who finished the gruelling course in some style.

The club’s past juniors were represented in six other clubs and universities competing in the event, including Morgan Baynham-Williams who coxed the GB under-23 squad which came in second overall.