St Catharine's College Boat Club

As a crew, we were feeling pretty tired on the row down to the start of the final day. With one of our captains still out for the count, and the prospect of a long and hard chase ahead, crew morale was flagging a little. But when we turned onto the Plough reach, and saw all the Catz supporters who had braved the weather, we were determined to give it our all! However luck (or, as Emma would have it, the ‘God of Bumps’) was not on our side. Despite gaining on the very strong Queen’s crew initially the long week of rowing took its toll and a couple of crabs across the boat slowed our pace. We remained hard on their heels throughout (with chasing crews once again nowhere near!) but couldn’t quite close that final distance. As number 10 on the river, our finish was the railway bridge, but we kept chasing until the much further finish of Queens. Despite the pain and massive disappointment, we finished strong and proud. All I can say is that QCBC had better watch their backs next year...

Sarah, Seat 4