Men's Squad 1999-2000 Season Captain's Review
If the previous season had been seen as a rebuilding process for the Wallingford Men's Squad after a few lean years, the 1999-2000 was hoped to build on the solid foundations that had been laid by the excellent coaching of Andy Nelder and the high morale within the squad. After a lot of wins the previous season most of the squad would now be racing at senior 1 and elite status which was quite a step up.
After a few weeks off from a hard season, the men's squad returned in drips and drabs at the start of Winter training in October, many having already grown their winter fleeces (and blubber). Andy Nelder took the latent fitness into account and broke us all in gently with a few double lock-to-lock sessions for the first few weekends, were we able to sit this boat last season ?! His coaching calls of "no...no...nearly..that's it.!!!...no...no..." from the previous year had now been replaced with "sit the boat you f*****g muppets !!" in a distinct change of coaching direction, but nonetheless this didn't deter Kermit and Miss Piggy in the bows from attempting to perfect the "just drop it in ... (and leave it there)" technique that had now been ingrained.
The first races of the season were in small boats, a type of river craft that should contain a government health warning especially where Matt Cooper's concerned. The novice sculls event at Wallingford LDS had been built up into a frenzied duel between myself and Matt Balaam, each having trained twice, and each having had our blades off the water no less than 3 times. I was confident of victory, however I'd forgotten that I was drawn to follow Matty Coops who as is now traditional, dumped me into the bush as I attempted to pass at the first bend. How I laughed as I backed out of the bush, with Matt Balaam disappearing into the distance ...
A few good results followed at Reading Small boats and Tiffin Head, with the Tunnah/Nixon composite also doing well at the Pairs Head.
The first real squad test of the season was at the Fours Head in November. Four men's boats had been entered, the coxless four of Hull, Bate, Balaam and Haycock were in a league of their own, finishing 63rd overall, good stuff. The quad however appeared to have Jabba The Hut (www...) at bow which did not enhance their chances, they eventually finished just before nightfall with bow having eaten most of the 2 man as he got a little hungry during the race. Meanwhile a certain 'animosity' between the B & C crews, both coxed, had built up over the preceding weeks with Buzz's now legendary "12 chunk race plan" and "mental walkthrough sessions" providing great amusement to the other crew. With a tight race envisaged, the C crew decided to handicap themselves by ramming the Walbrook crew they were passing into Barnes Bridge and getting discoed. How I enjoyed backing down on the river for the second time that year with the mighty Worthing senior 7 crew splashing past us.
The rest of the year was taken up with more training, taking the headship at Wallingford Head in a superb row, more training, winning some lovely t-shirts at Tideway Small Boats Head and finally Christmas.
Into the new Millennium we confidently (st)rowed, with another good event for us at Henley Head, the 1st eight finishing just behind Brookes and UTRC. Then came the nail-biting wait for Eights Head crew selection. The erg test results were all in, techniques and commitment had been noted in Andy's little black book, and all that remained were a few seat-races for the final positions with big Seb doing the honours. The announcements were made, a few disappointments for those not selected but everyone was determined to row the Wallingford boats into their best possible finish positions. The 1st crew meanwhile were having all sorts of fun, the boat was going like a mangy old dog with 3 legs, and oscar-winning performances were being put in which wasn't helping matters. A dreadful row at Reading was immediately followed by a couple of crew changes, with into the crew coming a couple of very posh under-grads from Oriel, Big Will and Feisty Felix, harmony was restored and both crews put in outstanding performances to finish 40th and 82nd at the Head.
So, onto the Millennium Training Camp at Nottingham, with the theme of Sleep, Row, Eat, Sleep,Row, Eat on a constant cycle of exhaustion and damp kit. The lake spent the first couple of days doing an impression of the North sea in gale force winds, which in small boats is not an easy test ! Particular mention should be given at this point to the untried (and never again) pairing of Parr & Smith, with big Mart's whimper of "that's us in then..." just heard above the most horrendous hailstorm on the second day, quickly followed by the boys standing waist deep in freezing water trying to climb back into an unstable pair, nice. My kit still hasn't dried out..... Still, it was a good few days and much learned.
This year's regatta season plan had banished any "mickey mouse" events from the calender which we knew would be tough for us. The first big test was at Notts City, some cracking rowing at our first event set the scene for winning lots of 2nd places in the year, and also proved that Wallingford were now possibly the fastest starters in the country.
We then moved south to Docklands for Metropolitan Regatta, where for a change the weather was quite kind. Again we all rowed superbly, a notable win for the senior 3 4+ even with Matt Balaams stroke rate of 24 1/2 were followed by second places in the coxless 4 at senior 1 both days and both senior 1 and senior 2 eights, but we couldn't quite make the breakthrough for the wins we wanted.
After this the crew selections took place for Henley, with a Wyfold 4 and a Thames Cup 8 selected. As usual there would be disappointments, but as squad morale was now strong and everyone working together there would not be the hassles of earlier in the season.
Docklands and Marlow provided the final tests before Henley, with the eight picking up a medal at Docks. So onto Henley Royal, with the words of Tom Polkey ringing in our ears, "this is it boys, this is what it's all about, the mecca of rowing.....". The first day draw had been kind to both crews, with both the 4 and the 8 winning easily against Bedford and UTRC respectively. The Thursday draw was another matter altogether with the 4 drawn again last years winners Holme Pierrepont and the 8 drawn against an extremely big and strong Thames crew. How could the small and oddly shaped Wallingford rowers compete against these beasts ?? Well, compete we did, and with another year behind us we'd beat them both, but for now we were both second best. A particular well done to Tony Unpronounceable who at the age of 73 came in very late to stroke the 8 and did a remarkably good job of it, well done grandad !! Still, we drowned our sorrows in the Pimms tent for the rest of the week, and then realised that it now only took a pipette of alcohol to make us jibber like fools and slump under the table...
A couple of weeks later it was on to Nat Champs, with both the 4 and the 8 doing brilliantly to qualify for the finals. Unfortunately we missed out on medals this year, but this time next year ? Watch this space....
And finally it was onto the beer and curry circuit. This was enough to draw a couple of lardy wheezing old boys out of semi-retirement (Polkey & Hunnisett) who had their ample behinds dragged up the river for senior 1 wins in the eight at both Bewdley and Peterborough. There should also be a mention at this point for the naked pole climbing of messrs Parr, Smith and McCowen at Peterboro, and the best excuse ever for arriving late at the boat from "Swampy" McCowen, would anyone else ever get trapped in quicksand at a regatta ?! Also apologies to Phil at this point for scuppering his chances of getting to 12 points by dredging the river a few times in the coxless four at Peterboro, or was this just an attempt to make him stay on until he's got those last 4 points ?!
So, in summary, a great season with the rowing having improved in leaps and bounds, although not as many wins as hoped due to tough competition and being forced to always enter Elite by our coach ! I can now confidently hand over my squad and duties to the more than able Duncan Smith who i'm sure will due an excellent job of taking us to new heights and victories next year. And what of the aims for the next year ? Oxford Brookes are out there boys, and this year they'll be following in our puddles !! Blood and Steel for Wallingford !!!
Thanks boys, it's been a pleasure being your captain... G.
