Cambridge Women v Leander Club #FixtureSeries 2 Review

Sunday 6 March saw Cambridge Women 'A' and 'B' race Leander Club. With Cambridge Women 'A' putting in a strong performance against outstanding competitors, Leander Club A in the second #FixtureSeries.

Leander Club is one of the world's premiere rowing clubs.. “With a reputation for good oarsmanship, good fellowship and sporting excellence," Not only are club members regulars on the British Rowing Team, the club also has a reputation for developing younger athletes to make the transition from club and university programmes into the national team. As such, Leander Club is a regular competitor in the series of Fixtures or private matches in the lead up to The Boat Race each year. Two weeks ago Leander Club women were racing Oxford University Women's Boat Club, this weekend it was the turn of the Cambridge Women to race the club.


The Championship Course runs from Putney to Mortlake  in a spectacular 4.17 mile race with advantages and disadvantage at each turn for the Surrey (South) and Middlesex (North) sides. Fixture races do not require the crews to race the full length in one go. Instead the coaches agree two or three sections to race - enabling the crews to learn form each piece and to make changes and develop through these important training races.

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CAMBRIDGE WOMEN 'B' v LEANDER CLUB 'B'

Leander 'B' started superb with a very fast clean start in the first piece from Putney to Chiswick Eyot. The sharp start from Leander gave them 1/2 length clear lead along the Putney Embankment. The bow side stroked Leander crew looked impressive and confident in the early part of the race with Cambrige 'B'. Cambridge did have the advantage of the bend in the first piece, the depth of the Leander squad was demonstrated in the performance against the Light Blues. Leander won both pieces although the second piece they won by less, with only a margin of a canvas. However in the last piece Leander won by 5 lengths. Cambridge will be going away to take some learnings from the Fixture Series 2 and working to improve over the next 2 weeks before their final fixture on 20th March.



⁠Cambridge Women 'B' v Leander Club 'B' started at 13:27 GMT⁠



UMPIRE was Matthew Holland

FIRST PIECE - Leander Club won by 3 lengths
SECOND PIECE - Leander Club won by a canvas
THIRD PIECE Leander Club won by 4 lengths


CAMBRIDGE WOMEN 'A' v LEANDER CLUB 'A'

Umpire John Garret will act as Umpire for The Women's Boat Race on 3 April was overseeing the big fixture between Cambridge Women and Leander. The crews lined up and were off to a quick clean start with Leander taking an early lead along the line of boats. Coming past Fulham Football Club, Leander moved out ahead of Cambridge, with a powerful start, John Garret had to warn Leander which they responded to and looked strong and comfortable.
Leander Club lost their lead and Cambridge moved past the crew to take a lead as the crews came into rough water approaching Hammersmith Bridge. Cambridge won the piece by 1.5 Length

In the second piece, the crews took a rolling start along Chiswick Ayot. Off the start, Leander 'A' went off with a hard aggressive start as they tried to hold the line. The crews moved closely together and had to be warned. Cambridge took a slight lead but Leander fought hard to draw back and come to within a 1/3 length. Coming up to Barnes Bridge, the crews again had to be warned as they moved together. Meg Cabot setting a great rhythm, meant that Cambridge on the outside of the bend at this point of the course needed to hold their position carefully. The crews went under Barnes Bridge side by side. Leander Cox, Morgan took a sharp line towards the bank to make the most of the inside of the bend. However Cambridge held onto the lead by 1/3 length. An impressive race and a real test along two sections of the course.


Cambridge Women 'A' v Leander Club 'A' started at 13:47 GMT⁠

UMPIRE was John Garrett

FIRST PIECE - Cambridge Women 'A' won by 1.5 lengths

SECOND PIECE - Cambridge Women 'A' won by 1/3 length