G'town schools impress at year's opening regatta

THE DSG rowing girls produced several notable performances in the Eastern Cape Sprints Regatta at Settlers Dam last week, claiming a number of first places.

In hot conditions, the girls gave their all and showed great work ethic and commitment.

First places were claimed by Caitlin Little (U15A sculls), Emma Moses and Carlota da Costa (U16A doubles), Siphokazi Thabede, Emma Moses, Caitlin Little, Carlota da Costa and Emma Conroy (U16A quads), and Siobhan Benson (U15B sculls).

Rowers from St Andrew's also impressed at the first regatta of the year. The Grahamstown lads had home advantage and were eager to test themselves against the Eastern Cape clubs and schools.

The U14s had their first taste of racing, managing a win in the A octuples, followed with wins in the A sculls and C doubles.

The U15 competitors also had a successful day, with wins in the A octuples, A, B and C quads, A and C doubles and A and B sculls. They were second in the B doubles.

In the U16 division, there was some competitive racing with Grey and Selborne in both the sweep and sculling events. St Andrew's came a close second in the A pairs, A fours and double sculls.

In an exciting finale, the St Andrew's eights crew put in a late surge for the line, pushing past Selborne to take first place.

In the Open division, the St Andrew's quads came second to ZRC, while the third and fourth fours, in a match race with Selborne, were second and third.

There was an exciting final in the second eights where St Andrew's started down to Selborne but gained speed in the latter stages of the race. St Andrew's managed to push their bow ball in front, securing a win by 0.03 of a second.

St Andrew's also claimed wins in both first and second pairs against Selborne and Rhodes, as well as winning performances in the first and second fours.

In the final race, the first eights took an early lead and managed to extend this with every stroke to win by more than three lengths.