OUBC vs Molesey Boat Club Fixture Report

In the final official fixture before The BNY Mellon Boat Race on Saturday 11th April, the recently announced Oxford University Boat Club Blue Boat took on a Molesey crew that contained club captain Moe Sbihi in the five seat. The Dark Blue crew was stroked by world champion Constantine Louloudis and contained four returning Blues.

The first piece began under Putney Bridge slightly ahead of schedule due to the closure of the Thames Barrier. Off the start, both crews looked lively but it was Oxford, on the Surrey station, who gained an early advantage, taking nearly half a length within thirty strokes. Umpire Boris Rankov had little to do throughout the fixture but was called into action at the end of the Putney Boathouses as both crews converged. However, conditions worsened as the crews snaked round the first course elbow and it was Oxford who fared better by increasing their advantage to two lengths at Barn Elms. Approaching Harrods Depository, the Dark Blues had stretched out to some six lengths and could pick their line of choice. Oxford continued to move away through the closing stages of the piece, earning a comfortable margin of victory by Chiswick Steps.

The second piece was split into two shorter races to raise the intensity. The first took place between Chiswick Eyot and the first green navigation buoy approaching Barnes Bridge. Molesey were given a half length head-start and the advantage of the Surrey station; this seemed to galvanise the men in black as they moved out of the blocks at a higher intensity than the previous piece. The crews once again came together but Oxford’s superior power began to show as they quickly recovered the deficit. With three minutes gone, the Dark Blues had moved out to a length and were showing no signs of stopping there; Molesey struggled to stay in touch with the relentless, powerful rhythm laid down by Oxford. By the end of the piece, the latter had gained around a length and a half of clear water between the crews.

The third and final piece began at the bandstand- Molesey were given a length start on Oxford. Both crews fired out of the start, striking mid to high forties. Approaching Barnes Bridge, Oxford had cut the advantage down to half a length but Molesey, with the advantage of the Middlesex station, looked resolute. The crews again came together as Oxford drew level before moving out to a length in impressive fashion. At the final green navigation buoy, the Dark Blues had taken a two length lead. Molesey refused to let them move any further away and the fixture ended in much the same way it had been raced- with Oxford leading.

OUBC

b) Will Geffen
2) Tom Swartz
3) Henry Goodier
4) James O’Connor
5) Jamie Cook
6) Michael Di Santo
7) Sam O’Connor
8) Constantine Louloudis
c) William Hakim

Molesey BC

b) Alistair Webb
2) Adam Freeman-Pask
3) Harry Glennister
4) Andy Warren
5) Moe Sbihi
6) Fred Gill
7) Sam Scrimegour
8) Ali Douglas
c) Henry Fieldman