Leander Eights Take on Oxford Crews on the Tideway
Leander Club fielded three eights on the Tideway in a valuable day of racing against Oxford opposition, using the fixtures to blood several younger athletes over two half-course pieces.
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Leander 2 vs Isis
The second eight, a blend of gap-year athletes and more experienced rowers, produced a composed performance against Isis. The crew went half a length down in the opening three minutes, but stroke Ben Nathan (ex-Reading Blue Coat School) held a solid rhythm and base pace. Settling into their stride, Leander rowed through Isis to establish a two-length margin by the finish.
In the second piece, Leander produced a markedly sharper start, quickly asserting control and extending their advantage to win by three lengths of clear water.
Leander 1 vs Oxford Blue Boat
In the Blue Boat fixture, Leander 1 — stroked by Zak Jenkins (ex-Radley College) — endured a shaky opening, with Oxford moving out to nearly a length lead after two minutes. Leander responded well, gradually moving back onto Oxford and rowing through to take an almost a length lead before Hammersmith Bridge. They maintained their advantage until the crews were called down at the Eyot.
The second piece saw Leander start more aggressively and begin to move on Oxford before a clash of blades resulted in an injury to seven-seat Jack Prior, forcing the race to be abandoned.
Leander 3 vs Oxford Lightweights
Leander 3, stroked by Josh Barnes from last season’s Shiplake eight, faced Oxford Lightweights. The young Leander crew delivered two confident wins, taking both pieces by three lengths. The fixture provided invaluable Tideway experience for the developing crew, coxed by Paralympic gold-medallist Erin Kennedy.
