Hollingworth Lake Rowing Club at Runcorn Autumn Head

Molly Archbold, Hannah Lowe, Sally Tisdall and Darcie Willis - WJ14 Quad Winners

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On Saturday 4 October a team from Hollingworth Lake Rowing Club (HLRC) took part in the Head Race at Runcorn Rowing Club. The event began in pouring rain and ended in blue skies and sunshine, rowing on the River Weaver in Cheshire.

The morning and afternoon sessions both had two races, a short course of 2,500 metres, and a short course of 4,500 metres. All the races are decided on a time basis, the fastest boat to complete the course in each category taking the Gold Medal (for Juniors), or Tankards (for adults).

The morning short course was for Junior 14 crews, quads, doubles and singles. HLRC was represented in the WJ14 quad by Darcie Willis, Sally Tisdall, Molly Archbold and Hannah Lowe, coxed by Laura Aspinall. A strong performance was rewarded with a Gold Medal, winning by over 40 seconds in a ten minute race.

The morning long course had three HLRC boats competing. The WJ15 quad of Sophie Webb, Jess Wilkington, Amy Aspinall and Harriet Jackson, coxed by Amy Bullock, were in a very strong field and finished with a good time of 23 minutes 48 seconds.

A women’s Masters C coxed quad comprising Alison Watson, Penny Price, Jane Dickman and Margaret Greenhall, coxed by Eddie Price, put in a strong performance and were pleased with their race, enjoying the competition and experience.

Tom Swithenbank, rowing in the J15 single scull, fought hard against 6 other competitors to win the Gold Medal. Tom’s impressive time of 22:03 was faster than many category winners to follow, including doubles and quads.

The afternoon short course had Junior 14 singles and doubles competing. Molly Archbold came second in the single sculls race, with Hannah Lowe coming fourth. In the WJ14 doubles, Sally Tisdall and Darcie Willis put in a strong performance to win Gold.

The long course in the afternoon saw Laura Aspinall and Amy Bullock rowing in the WJ17 doubles, and Harriet Jackson and Jess Pilkington competing in the WJ15 double sculls. Both categories had strong fields and the HLRC crews put in good performances over the long distance to come second in their respective races.

This was the first Head Race of the season for the HLRC team attending and saw some good results and, as commented by the Club Captain, Ian John: “An excellent effort from everyone.”