More success for Hollingworth Lake Rowing Club Juniors

Hollingworth Lake Juniors - tankards raised in victory

Hollingworth Lake Rowing Club spent a glorious sunny day achieving great success at the Tees Rowing Club in Stockton on Tees on Saturday 17 May.

The course was 850m, four-lane fully buoyed, rowing upstream under the stunning Infinity Bridge.

Harriet Jackson and Jess Pilkington were the first team members to take to the water in their WJ14A 2x double sculls semi final. Although they fought hard against strong opposition from Tyne and Yarm clubs, they just missed out on a place in the final.

The first win was a straight final for the WJ13 4x+ coxed quad – Hannah Lowe, Sally Tisdall, Molly Archbold and Darcie Willis, coxed by Amy Aspinall. This was their second competition as a crew and second win. Their strength and determination bodes well for the future.

There was a break of a few hours before the next HLRC crew raced, Sally Tisdall and Darcie Willis in a straight WJ13A 2x double sculls final. As with the WJ13 quad, this was their second competition and their second win. An excellent rowing display to win by a considerable distance.

In the J14A 1x single sculls semi finals there were convincing wins for Tom Swithenbank and Alastair Holbrough. The final was hard fought with Alastair taking first place and Tom in third.

The WJ13A 1x single sculls saw team mates and doubles partners, Hannah Lowe and Molly Archbold race in a straight final. The determination of both competitors made this an exciting race with Molly winning in a close finish.

The most celebrated victory of the day was the WJ14B 4x+ coxed quad. The crew have raced many times together getting stronger and stronger with each competition, and determined to get their first win. Saturday was their day. With six competitors in their category the crew, of Amy Aspinall, Harriet Jackson, Jess Pilkington, Gabriella Fennell and cox, Sophie Webb, gave a superb display of team work and passion to win their heat and the final with great style.

Team coach and Club Captain, Ian John watched proudly as his team represented HLRC and all their supporters with great spirit. Although exhausted when the long day ended, arriving back at the club at 10.00pm, the juniors were up and training again at 8.30am on Sunday morning – getting ready for the next challenge.