Maadi Cup
In the Maadi Cup final, College provided a thrilling climax by smashing Hamilton Boys’ hold on the title by a boat-length.
The team of Monty Batchelor, Angus Gray, James Newton, Jack Beadel, Rowan Taylor, Oscar Acland, Ollie Tyler, Cameron Smith (stroke) and George Gould (cox) established control of the race and at halfway held a half-a-length lead from Hamilton. Yet the anticipated charge from the defending champions did not materialise as College pulled further ahead in the final 1000m to win. For Angus Gray, who was in the two seat, it was a moment of sheer jubilation. “It was an amazing feeling as it has always been a dream of mine to win it and it was amazing to do so in my last year. It has been an awesome season with such a great group of boys. We have always worked closely as a unit and we always knew we had each other’s backs. When George (Gould) the cox called a move, we always knew we’d do it together.”
Rowan Taylor says they were delighted to have won against Hamilton Boys’ High School and to break their hold on the cup. “Going into the final we knew that we hadn’t been beaten in two years, but really it didn’t mean anything as all crews want to prove themselves on the day and competition can come from anywhere. “We were feeling good and respectful of the other crews, and we went out and did it. We expected ourselves to be up there, but knew it was up to us to take opportunities and to make it happen.’’
“We got heaps of messages from Old Boys and parents and so many boys came to watch us. “I don’t think anything as special as this will ever happen to me again.’’ Henry Smith says at the Maadi camp they had made significant changes with the help of Sam Bosworth, an Old Boy who is the current New Zealand coxswain. He sat in the boat and took the crews for fine-tuning sessions which he says certainly paid off. “We are lucky to have such generous support from Marcel Gray of Pak ‘N Save Wainoni and the Canterbury branch of AON which has enabled us to buy new equipment and maintain our fleet to a world-class standard,’’ says Henry.
Angus Gray says the support for the teams at the regatta was incredible.
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Christ’s College Canterbury Christ’s College Canterbury
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