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Symonds Cup and OH regatta 2007 This year’s regatta fell on the 24th June on a wet and windy weekend and with all involved keeping a nervous eye on the elements. With a schedule of over 50 competitors in single sculls and nearly 60 races, the event has grown into a full regatta in its own right, and like all regattas is reliant on the weather and river conditions to make a successful day.
The Under 14 boys and girls, and Beginners races took place in the school’s new ‘Edon’ training sculls in the first events of the day. These robust and safe new acquisitions to the fleet were provided through the efforts of the PTA and are now an integral part of the learning process for new pupils. Races progressed throughout the afternoon, and with a races every three minutes there was plenty to see and admire including clashes, dead heats and some very exciting and close racing. In the finals for the Symond’s Cup, Ed Deutsch prevailed against Callum Corbin by four lengths while in the girl’s race Jade Newman defeated Tyleri Fitzgerald by three, taking the win in the newly-named “Michael Moreton OH”. An OH vs. School challenge was issued, the weapon of choice to be coxed fours and a distance of 1,000 metres proposed and accepted. The OH four comprised Will Lort (bow), Jess Davies, Jamie Corbin and Alex Deutsch (stroke) with coxswain Steph Bissell. Rising to the challenge for the school were Will Boyd-Thomas (bow), Callum Corbin, Tom Jones and Ed Deutsch (stroke) with Matt Crum (OH) in the coxes seat. With two competing pairs of brothers involved the fear was that, whoever won, there would be some very tense family gatherings later that evening. As the crews came into view at the bridge it was clear that one crew held a slight lead, although since they both occupied the middle of the river it was not clear who! As they came closer the blue and gold of the school colours could be seen in the lead, with clear water to the OH four. As they crossed the line to a three length verdict to a large and admiring crowd all pre-race tension was lost as the traditional “three cheers” rang out. Prizes were presented by Mr Moreton. |
As the rain fell everywhere else in the county, favour fell on the school and a dry afternoon, with even the odd glimpse of sunshine, saw racing from 2:30 until the final at just before 6pm. Guest of honour, Mr Michael Moreton OH, named the single scull he had so kindly donated to the school with a traditional splash of Champagne before the first race took place. A very large crowd of pupils and parents, Old Herefordians, former Symond’s Cup winners, well-wishers and passers-by were gathered to witness proceedings.