Like our crews, we aspire to be greater than the sum of our parts. Last Saturday, our crews, parents, coaches, supporters and volunteers did just that. Thank you.
What a great culmination to the rowing season. I know, we have Nationals to come. I know, it is about the boys, they stand front and centre stage. But what a supporting cast. Alongside the rowers, how about all the Blue Army who came to chant?
I should, and will, take a leaf out of Miles Chipperfield’s speech and start by thanking the parents on whom we rely, day in, day out. They feed, clothe, deliver, collect, listen, don’t judge and support the boys on their journey through each season. Our coaches care, aspire and enthuse our boys not just as rowers but as young men. Our Old Scholars and the Blackmore Club remind us that the passion still burns, the similarities of our endeavours and the distance we have come. To see Sandy Quigley join the winning crew of the Ian H Quigley on the pontoon just before George did the same with the crew of the John Brook was special.
The day opened with a swarm of “arctic bees” climbing all over the trailer as the blue and white hoops of the Year 7 squad unloaded and rigged their quads. The top parent team had been working away in the gloaming to get our camp prepared, with blazers on hangers and a careful labelling system in place. As the sun rose on the far side of the lake, a golden ray landed squarely on the chrome of the coffee machine, announcing the day could now start and we could avoid joining the queue at Oar.
Year 8
Hugh Hazell and his coaching team were really pleased with how their crews performed and conducted themselves at their first Head of the River. Each crew came off the water feeling they had executed their race plan as well as they could have hoped. This is a tight-knit squad, a credit to the boys and their coaches. They have improved their times at every regatta, so it was a little frustrating not to have the conditions to go quicker still at the Head of the River, but that is in the hands of the weather gods. Poor Hugh had to turn away from his race, his nerves getting the better of him, “I actually can’t watch.”
Year 9
Sam Burton and Estelle Wollin’s calm organisation through the season got our equal largest squad to the Head of the River, producing a G crew on the day. A sneaky red crew managed to squeeze into an otherwise all-blue final for the Year 9 E crews. Philippe Scalzi’s crew secured the win. Bemedalled after their victory, it looked as though the crew carried their boat at half turn permanently, one side resting on Edward de Luca’s shoulder and the other on James Nisyrios’. Oscar Veitch and Arthur Brook supported as best they could while cox Christian de Angelis limped behind, still in his protective boot.
Oscar Sounes’ stroking pulled the Ds well clear of the chasing pack but, unfortunately, four seconds short of their red rivals. Jack McCarthy overturned the order and got the Cs four seconds clear of their red rivals. The B crew kept everyone guessing to the last stroke, but really, was there any doubt? Louis Snow, James Young, Cesi Strangis and Henry Ye came in 0.37 seconds up. A hugely frustrating race for the A crew, as it was not their best performance. They did not stay focused on what was in their control. Despite a good start, they were distracted by the other crews’ challenges and, in the last 250 metres, caught a crab.
Year 10
This squad also managed a G crew. Hats off to Zane Haseldine for stepping up to race after only a couple of weeks with us, but thanks also to Zach Khan, Mingzhe Lu and Aiden Tan, with a guest appearance from Oscar Brook, who made it possible. They created an all-Saints final, as we boated double the number of crews of any other school. Bragging rights stayed with the reshuffled D crew: Logan Bishop, Diwen Wu, Jack Jamieson, Gethin Owen and cox Eddie Powell.
Illness that morning meant all but the top two crews changed personnel. Maybe the new line-up explained the C crew’s ordinary start, but there was nothing ordinary about Seb Bagot’s rhythm as he took Bill Roberts, Domenic Palmieri, Gus Focareta and Fergus Browne 11 seconds clear of the field. Fergus had insisted we get all the changes made officially, remembering that was how he won last year.
I am frustrated for the B boat. Harrison McClurg, Owen Tan, Augie Nicholson, Freddie Sils and Rupert White have made huge progress this term and deserved something to show for their commitment, but will have to content themselves with knowing their work will come good next season.
Normally, we wait a long time for the Inters’ races at the end of each regatta. Our patience has been tested further — it has been twenty years since we last held the Inters’ A boat trophy. Our crew kept their heads while their opponents went out to nearly a full-length lead. Once their progress had been halted, there was no stopping ours. Drawing level with 500m to go, Will Harper, Tom Baker-Evans, Majd Sliet, Will Miller and Hugh Hall-Craggs stuck to their plan and came home in the fastest time recorded this season.
The Senior Squad
Senior events opened with Year 9’s Ziggy McKenna picking up his second medal of the day in the 2nd Four. He has been a regular volunteer in this boat and prepared himself with club winter rowing. A pleasing result for great friends Jeff Gu and Franco Quaini to win together, aided by Evan Lam and cox Charlie Angus. Coach Tom Beresford could only wait on the pontoon and hope, as his Head of the River duties had forced him to hand over his charges to George Quigley for the day.
One has come to expect nothing less from Blackburn stroke man Naz Bucki. They clawed their way back from a clear water deficit to just 1.5 seconds at the end. Not quite reliving the glory of rowing down the Pembroke 1st VIII, however Naz did declare it the best row of the season. The Blackburn has been an enjoyable crew to watch develop under Josh Myer’s guidance. Whether rowing bow or coxing as required, he has created a great atmosphere in the boat.
Calm Clare has mapped out each session, held the crew accountable and kept the Wylly progressing all season. Even her demeanour would have been tested by the challenge her crew faced in their final. Not the fastest starting crew, they left their surge quite late for the spectators. No doubt it was Clare’s steadiness that helped the crew keep their nerve as they rowed through to lead in the last few strokes and claim the Wallman Trophy.
The Don has taken us all on something of a roller coaster ride this season. Whatever the trials and tribulations so far, they have found a way of unleashing their potential now. They may have regrets that they didn’t quite get the result we all hoped for until the very last stroke, but they have Tasmania to go one better. A performance like that will give the crew confidence to step on.
And then to Memorial Hall to celebrate our season.
Thank you to the Parents’ Committee for all they did in bringing the event together. It was a chance to hear the boys reflect on their season, to thank our coaches and volunteers, and to recognise how fortunate we are to be part of St Peter’s College rowing.
Many thanks to Dave Humble, JRP and other parents whose photographs captured the day.
VIEW HEAD OF THE RIVER RECAP VIDEO
Wade Hall-Craggs
Director of Rowing