Allom Cup is 3 days away. Our novices are ready to have another go for glory and our seniors are ready to take on their first sprint race of the season and show just what RUMSBC can do. 

While the men's crews have undergone some shaking up, they are keen to show the effects of all their training and with a determined gaze and fire in their bellies, the Men's 1sts and 2nds are taking on George's at 10am and 10:53am respectively. 

Our women usually do well at Allom Cup and we want to make this year no exception. Both crews have their eyes on the prize and many a motivational video will be watched to get that competitive spirit going. With a returning cox, we want to make sure her return to RUMS is worth it by winning her medal medal medals. W1 are straight through to their final at 1:40pm and W2 start off in the semis at 12:21pm.

Men's 1sts
Stroke - Tom Duggan
7 - Tom Morgan
6 - Neel Raja
5 - Alex Cowan (C)
4 - TBC
3 - Aubrey Capern-Burgess
2 - Alasdair Williamson
Bow - Adam Pickard

Women's 1sts
Stroke - Georgie Lloyd
7 - Joy Schmidt (C) 
6- Eimear McKavanagh
5- Claire Rowden
4- Caitlin Healy
3- Matilda Williams
2- Daisy Newberry
Bow - Tintin Larsson

Men's 2nds
Stroke - Mike Foxall-Smith
7 - Sam Jackson
6 - Charlie Hensher (C) 
5 - Luke Martin
4 - Ben Jacobs
3 - Abs Al-Kamil
2 - Tom McLay
Bow - Rory Shadwell

Women's 2nds
Stroke - Izzy Goldrick
7 - Laura Cousins (C)
6 - Katie Westbrook
5 - Niamh Hanna
4 - Lucinda Conder
3 - Livi Drewett
2 - Kate Friedlaender
Bow - Meg Hollands

Our novices proved themselves last week and were just pipped at the post. Let's hope they can channel the frustration from that and turn it into determination to win. 

Men's Novices
Captain - Tom McLay
Stroke - Jack Maddicks
7 - Matt Kinsella
6 - Calum Fields
5 - Jamie Glenister
4 - Connor Price
3 - Ben Schapira
2 - Rob Wescott
Bow - Andrew Tindall

Women's Novice
Captain - Libi Hawkes
Stroke - Elizabeth Sinclair
7 - Jenny Budden
6 - Kate Ryan
5 - Nadia Eden
4 - Tahlia Spink
3 - Beth Jones
2 - Ellen Macpherson
Bow - Olivia Williams



Let's go win some medals...

On the wettest day you could possibly get, our novices took to the Thames to take on the other UH crews in the champion of races; UH Novice Sprints. While spectators were huddled under umbrellas in numerous layers, the novice crews braved the elements in their lycra and managed to do RUMSBC proud. 

Novice Men

"The Novice Men did not have the best start to the day – driving rain and very low temperatures meant the novices were bordering on hypothermic as they lined up for their first race. The RUMS boat got off to a shaky start and the Royal Vets quickly took a half-boat lead. However, the men clawed their way back, being screamed at by coxswain Beth.  The race ended neck on neck, with neither crew quite sure who had won. Of course, it was the RUMSBC Novice Men.

The adrenaline of the close call only fuelled more determination from the crew. Their next race, against Bart’s, was a walk in the park (@UHSprints summed it up - #whereistheotherboat). A boat and a half of clear water separated the two boats.

They continued to the final, eager for medals. Despite initially taking the lead, an unfortunately timed crab meant that they would have to settle for second place to George’s.

The RUMSBC Novice Men have certainly put themselves on the map as tough competition for the rest of the year after an excellent set of races. Bring on Allom Cup!"
Jack Maddicks - Novice Boy

"I was very pleased by the boys reaching the final on Sunday but what truly made me proud was the first race of the day When they came back from half a length behind to win. That shows real determination. Well done all."
Tom McLay - Men's Novice Captain

Novice Women

"Novice girls got off to a cracking start despite the pouring rain, cruising through their first round against GKT. They had a great start and were strong throughout. Unfortunately, a shaky start in round 2 that involved a near crash into our main rivals, RVC, led to a minor panic and a spectacular wind to rate 40 that allowed the other team to sneak ahead. All in all, a great start to sprint racing, bring on next week!"

Libi Hawkes - Women's Novice Captain

Our race report from RUMSBC's first BUCS event of the year comes from our Men's Senior Captain: Alex Cowan.

Boat Clubs do BUCS best
For a change of pace in the run up to Allom Cup the men's squad left the women to their home comforts in the 'calm' waters of chiswick and ventured to Fortress Imperial in Putney. Awed and inspired by the facilities made available to the very best rowers Britain’s university system has to offer, they began steeling themselves in preparation for what was to come: BUCS indoor championships. 2k's galore!

Being the first time the boat club has ever entered the event, little was known and much was expected. As a whole the squad faired excellently, with the majority pulling personal best times. Holding their own against the like of IC, UCL and Royal Holloway. Once finished the men de-camped to a local pub to celebrate what was a very successful day.


Cowan's commendations 


Aubrey Capern-Burgess
Fastest RUMS Athlete of the day and 16th overall 

Ali Williamson
3rd fastest Lightweight of the day with a time that would have placed him 18th amongst the heavies and beating his captain.

Saturday 5am: alarms went off and the day started for all RUMSBC rowers. This wasn't just a normal Saturday rowing on the Tideway, this was the first race of the year. The first chance to scout out the competition and to show them all what RUMSBC are made of at Cambridge Winter Head. With a long bus journey to get a little extra sleep we arrived at Cambridge ready to take on the bends of the Cam and all the other crews. 

The Women's 1sts were first to set off in Division 2 along with the Men's Novices. The Men's 1sts were also meant to be in this category however with a trip to A&E due to a dislocated shoulder and a boat trailered far from the river, they missed their slot and so had to fit into Division 4 instead. 
 
Women's 1sts

Having had a great outing on the Wednesday before Cambridge, W1 knew what they needed to do, it was just a matter of going out there and showing how well they can row and the speed that they can achieve. However, nerves were definitely still present when we pushed off from the bank and it was Alex's reassuring coxing voice that calmed the pre-race jitters on the way up to the start. With a strong start we took off and quickly settled into a strong rhythm and rate which we were able to maintain for the entire race. We took the corners well and with Alex's experienced coxing we had a relaxed and yet strong row through the bends and straight. Going past the spectators there was a call for 'Middle four lift!" and you could feel the surge of power as we took the boat past the cheering crowd, under the bridge and to the finish. 
Finishing with a time of 10:19 and beating all other UH crews, we are looking forward to show what we're made of at the sprint races.
This is only the beginning for W1. 

Men's 2nds

'Having a much more relaxed start to the day than the mens firsts, the men's seconds used this to their advantage. Boating in division 3 they settled into a strong rhythm early. Building towards the finish as they passed the crowds they finished with a time of 9:31. Posting the quickest UH Men's seconds time of the day. Does this solid start to the year mean they plan to retake the UH head crown which was torn from them last year? Only time will tell.'
Alex Cowan - Men's Senior Captain

Women's 2nds

'Everyone was nervous before the start - first race of the year! However it felt very strong and together from the beginning. We were so glad to have Alex back coxing us, the whole crew responded well to her calls and we could feel the boat lift! We had a real energy boost when we heard the RUMS cheering, managed to keep eyes in the boat, then the last 500m were tough but we finished and were all so pleased with how it had gone :)' 
Livi Drewett - W2

Men's 1sts (+super sub)

'As dawn broke the men's firsts were greeted with the news that half of their beloved boat would not be arriving at Stourbridge common. So in true RUMSBC style a bodged plan was put in place which resulted in 3 man's shoulder dislocating and being late to boat from Emmanuel boat house. Following a hasty re-working of the racing schedule a sub from the seconds was secured and they eventually boated in division 4.

The first half of the race unfolded and the dreaded grassy corner was made by coxswain Kit Hunter for the first time in living memory. Only for the boat to come to a grinding halt minutes later in a pile up involving Bart's and the crew in front.  Finishing in a time of 9:26, questions must be asked as to how much time was lost, but a promising start to the year.'
Alex Cowan - Men's Senior Captain

Men's 4+

Due to the rearranging of their division, the men had to quickly jump out of the VIII and get into their IV to make it in time to the start. What followed was a strong race from the IV considering that they had just raced the course. They had the experience of Abs as a Cam rower for a cox and a cheering crowd to push them on past the bridge and to the finish. The race went well with the four coming 3rd in their category and hopefully things will only improve for this crew as the year progresses. 

Women's Novices

The women's novices were the last race of the day and so had the whole force of RUMSBC out cheering for them. Captain Libi Hawkes was thrilled at how the crew looked ("generally looked awesome") and the best moment of the race was when they overtook another crew in front of the crowd of supporters. With only three crabs in the whole race and a strong rhythm throughout, the women's novices beat all other UH crews and so are looking forward to this weekend at Novice Sprints for another taste of victory. 

The Final Results

Men’s 1sts came 9th in their category with a time of 9:26

Women’s 1sts came 5th in their category with a time of 10:19

Men’s 2nds came 11th in their category with a time of 9:31

Women’s 2nds came 9th in their category with a time of 11:14

Men’s 4+ came 3rd in their category with a time of 10:30

Women’s Novices came 4th in their category with a time of 12:35 

Men’s Novices came 11th in their category with a time of 11:11



For full results see below:

Looking to this weekend and Novice Sprints, the crews are:

Men's Novices

Stroke - Jack Maddicks
7 - Matt Kinsella
6 - Rob Wescott
5 - Connor Price
4 - Callum Field
3 - Jamie Glenister
2 - Martin Furlepa
Bow - Jack Merritt

Women's Novices

Stroke - Elizabeth Sinclair 
7 - Jenny Budden
6 - Sophia Lalani
5 - Beth Jones
4 - Tahlia Spink 
3 - Grace Navin
2 - Olivia Williams
Bow - Claire Shadwell

Anyone who is free please come down and support your club!! You never know, you may even see an ejector crab! 

Cambridge Head kicks off RUMSBC’s racing calendar this year on Saturday. For the past number of weeks we have been training on land and water in preparation for the start of racing season and hopefully when each crew starts their race, they’ll be fighting fit to take on the twists and turns of the River Cam and the many other crews taking part. 

This is the announcement of crews for the race and an introduction to our freshers and new members; both in novice and senior crews. Lets hope that the hard work pays off and our crews lead RUMSBC to victory on the Cam. 

Men's 1st VIII
With our new Men's Captain being the driving force behind the increase in training and dedication of the men's crews lets hope that the firsts can demonstrate this by getting a good result on Saturday. Our Men's 1sts haven't had a good history at Cambridge in the past but maybe this crew can change this around. If they don't, they'll be facing Cowan's wrath and that would encourage even the bravest of men to put that little bit of extra power in the legs. 

Stroke - Tom Duggan
7 - Tom Morgan
6 - Neel Raja
5 - Alex Cowan (C)
4 - Aubrey Capern-Burgess
3 - Fabian Uys
2 - Alasdair Williamson
Bow - Adam Pickard

Men's 2nd VIII
Our Men's 2nds have performed well at Cambridge for the last number of years and lets hope this year's batch will continue that tradition and do RUMSBC proud. With many ex-novices and new faces this is a fresh crew eager to prove themselves and hopefully they will take this drive and turn it into speed and strength during the race. 

Stroke - Mike Foxall-Smith
7 - Sam Jackson
6 - Charlie Hensher (C) 
5 - Luke Martin
4 - Ben Jacobs
3 - Rory Shadwell
2 - Abs Al-Kamil
Bow - Tom Clay

Women’s 1st VIII
Over the past number of weeks the women's crews have been training hard to get back to fitness and fighting form in preparation for Saturday's race. With great start of term 2k scores this crew is looking to be one of the strongest yet. Lets hope they can take that strength and turn it into speed along the Cam. 

Stroke - Georgie Lloyd
7 - Joy Schmidt (C) 
6- Eimear McKavanagh
5- Claire Rowden
4- Caitlin Healy
3- Matilda Williams
2- Daisy Newberry
Bow - Tintin Larsson

Women’s 2nd VIII
Our Women's 2nds are usually the club's big medal winners and hopefully this year will be no exception. It's an experienced crew that is taking on the River Cam and lets hope this experience will help the crew live up to its potential and row to victory.

Stroke - Izzy Goldrick
7 - Laura Cousins (C)
6 - Katie Westbrook
5 - Niamh Hanna
4 - Libi Hawkes
3 - Livi Drewett
2 - Kate Friedlaender
Bow - Meg Hollands

Novices
For our novices, this is the first race of their rowing careers and the first time that they will have to face the early morning chill to make it to rowing. Our Novice Captains have been working hard to get their crews up to scratch with both crews looking very strong over the past few weeks. They have been training hard for the several races that they have in the very near future; Cambridge this week, Novice Sprints the next. Lets hope they will remember their training and do RUMSBC proud. 


Men’s Novice VIII
Captain - Tom McLay

Stroke - Ollie Pfieffer
7 - Ben Schapira
6 - Connor Price
5 - Jamie Glenister
4 - Rob Westcott
3 - Jack Merrit
2 - Martin Furlepa
Bow - Andrew Tindall

Women’s Novice VIII
Captain - Libi Hawkes

Stroke - Elizabeth Sinclair
7 - Grace Navin
6 - Kate Ryan
5 - Beth Jones
4 - Tahlia Spink
3 - Sophia Lalani
2 - Ellen Macpherson
Bow - Claire Shadwell


Good luck to all crews. Racing is a big part of why we row. Lets do it for RUMS.