08/05/2026
Stratford Clean Up at Evesham!
Stratford upon Avon Boat Club’s J17 squad were represented by the single scull of Sophie Frankin and the double scull of Isla Dunn and Becca Smith at the weekend’s Evesham Regatta. First down the track was Sophie who was pitted against an experienced Worcester sculler and was unable to hold onto an early lead. The Dunn/Smith combination dominated the semi-final against Pengwern however met their match in a quality AB Severn crew in the final.
The Stratford J15 squad created a presence in Saturday’s racing having success in the finals and keeping the pressure on their competitors in the 1000m knock out races.
First up, the OpJ15 x 2 of Nathan Lebordais and Reuben Stanford took an early win against Magdalen College in their semi final before giving AB Severn a run for their money in the final, placing a well-earned second overall. Lebordais and Stanford returned later in the day as part of the OpJ15x 4 joined by Raya Hothi (cox), Connor Birrell and Tristan Hammick. The crew defeated Magdalen and then Monmouth in the heats to earn a place in the final against AB Severn. While there was a strong start off the line, the AB Severn squad maintained a pace over the 1000 meters that was just out of reach for the Stratford crew who came into second overall.
Abi Dunn competing in the WJ15 x 1 singles brought home some silverware by starting with a convincing first win against her Evesham opponent in the semi-finals setting up a tense head to head final with fellow Stratford rower from J14. During a close race, Abi kept a consistent lead all the way through and secured victory by half a length.
The WJ15 x 4 composed of Martina Bruce (cox), Lily Parsons, Meredith Paul, Bethany Hammond and Scarlett Wheeler delivered a strong performance showing strength, resilience and determination as they beat Monmouth by 2.5 lengths in the semi-final and faced off against a second Monmouth crew in the final. From the start the team pushed for the lead, running neck and neck over the 1000 meters and, in a nail biting finish won by a canvas, taking home the win. This was especially savoured as three in the crew had rowed earlier in the day in their respective WJ15x2 pairs (Parsons/Paul and Bruce/Hothi) and they were keen for a win!
The J14 squad made the most of Evesham’s two day event by representing Stratford Boat Club on both days. Amongst some encouraging performances, and some hard won lessons on pacing and steering, the stand-out crew from Saturday’s longer course were the boys’ quad of Archie Eaton, Chris Durance, Arthur Burt, Ethan Siwakowski and Eli Ford as coxswain. They completely outclassed Magdalene College School in the first round then earned an equally composed win against Cheltenham College to secure a spot in the final where an Evesham/AB Severn Rowing Club composite edged them out in a close race.
Sunday’s sprint started early for Amelia Cruickshank who gamely volunteered to row for an Evesham quad depleted by injury. Returning later that day she joined Islay Milles in the WJ14 single sculls. The two girls mercilessly worked their way through the qualifying rounds to set up a thrilling Stratford-Stratford final that was too close to call until the closing stages when Milles lit the afterburners to edge to victory.
Also, Stratford’s Women’s Masters 2x of Ellie Davies and Gina Fusco, raced in a final against a Women’s Masters E double Stourport crew. Despite steering a rather longer than necessary racing line, the duo were delighted to hold off their opponents and take the win by a canvas.
Stratford upon Avon Boat Club’s J13 squad enjoyed an exciting and memorable day of racing at the Evesham Sprint Regatta, where they competed in singles, doubles and quad scull events. For all the athletes, this was their first experience of side by side racing, making the occasion both challenging and rewarding. Many of the rowers had only rowed in singles or doubles two or three times before, never mind racing them, yet every athlete rose to the occasion and performed admirably under pressure.
The three doubles crews of Hattie McGurk and Zilpha Pope, Ruben Hawkswell and Eftychios Ntoukakis, and Safian Khan and Luke Spurling were first on the water. All three crews showed confidence and determination, each holding their own throughout the race and finishing a very close second.
The singles races followed, with strong performances from Gregor Francis, Enoch Stanford, Georgia Wheeler, Margo Paul, Zilpha Pope, Natasha Wallace and Harriet Wheeler. Despite first time racing nerves, all rowed with composure and confidence. A special mention goes to Margo Paul, who delivered a commanding performance to win the WJ13 singles event, beating the opposition by an impressive two and a half lengths.
In the quad sculls, the boys’ crew of Enoch Stanford (cox), Gregor Francis (stroke), Safian Khan, Eftychios Ntoukakis and Ruben Hawkswell put up a strong and determined performance but were knocked out by the eventual winners, a very strong home crew from Evesham. The girls’ quad of Harriet Wheeler (cox), Margo Paul (stroke), Natasha Wallace, Hattie McGurk and Georgia Wheeler also raced with great spirit, losing to the Evesham crew.
Throughout the day, all crews showed superb teamwork and sportsmanship, running the course during each race to loudly cheer one another on. Commenting, Rebecca Paul, J13 Coach said, “It was a proud and promising first experience of side by side racing and an encouraging sign for the future of these young athletes.”
Next up in eights division the Stratford Women’s Masters D VIII were determined to maximise the six second head start they had against a composite younger Gloucester and Evesham crew. After a solid start and a race pace of 34 strokes per minute, the crew widened the gap and held their opposition over the 1000m course with a convincing win of 3.5 lengths. The crew were Jen Cary, Cox, Ellie Davis Stroke, Gina Fusco, Jane Cryer, Abby Symons, Rebecca England, Lucy Scarlett, Caroline Collins and Charlotte Jones (Bow). Bow seat Charlotte Jones said, “We are delighted with our first win of the regatta season as an eight, following our winter training. We are looking forward to our next race at the Nottingham Masters next week.”
Almost immediately after deboating from the VIII, Rebecca England and Lucy Scarlett took to the river again to race in the senior women's 2x. In their first regatta of the season together, they had a good start and were pleased with their row despite being bested by a very high quality and youthful opposition.
The Women’s Masters low CRI coxed quad of Sarah Walker, Urania Carreiro, Emily Burton and Charlotte Juxon with cox Sarah Bedwell were determined to give the home crew a good race in the semi final. Despite much distraction at the start with a single stuck in a tree, a capsize and a double very much told off for a quick race practice, the crew refocused, stuck to their plan and won comfortably. A few timing issues to improve and with Sarah B still ringing in their ears, it was time for the final. Much more relaxed and ready to fight again the crew raced hard and gained ground quickly. This gave the lift and belief needed and they pushed past their opposition at the half way point, then stayed flat out for the last 500m again winning comfortably.
Their coach Dawson Curnock said of the crew, “Two great performances including the win in their final are the culmination of commitment to training that they embarked upon over three months ago.”
In Stratford's last race of the regatta, the mixed 2x of Rebecca England and Thomas Doherty faced a tough task with local rivals Warwick having a head start due to the masters' handicap system. Despite this, the Stratford double managed a fast start, leaving the blocks at a rate of thirty eight strokes per minute and were able to row down their competition, winning by a length and a half.
For media coverage, please see Stratford Herald page thirty seven and Stratford Observer online https://stratfordobserver.co.uk/sport/rowing-stratford-boat-club-celebrate-success-at-evesham-regatta and back sports page https://stratfordobserver.co.uk/editions/view/?/Stratford/2026/05/08&pages=24 /24
