SONNING’S Reading Blue Coat School made history at the School’s Head of the River race last Thursday at the Tideway after one of their crews became national champions for the first time.

The J16 eights won their race to become national champions in their age group while the first eight finished 16th overall.

In their category the J16 eight finished 19 seconds ahead of second-placed George Watson’s College and came 34th overall.

The first eight defeated crews from Kingston Grammar, Dulwich and Pangbourne to finish sixth overall in their category. The second eight finished 14th in their category where they were beaten by the J15 1st eight, who finished seventh in their category. The J15 second eight finished 11th.

Shiplake College’s first eight finished third in their category behind St George’s and Kings’ College School while the second eight finished just a second behind winners Cheltenham College. Shiplake’s third eight finished fourth.


The J16 A eight recorded the same time as St Edward’s to finish equal fifth in their category. The J15 B crew put in an impressive performance as they beat their A crew.

A solid performance from the Oratory first eight saw them improve 27 places from last year, finishing 40th out of 300 boats competing.

The J16 eight finished 86th overall and 10th in their division.

A J16 coxed four competed for the first time in the school’s history and finished in a respectable 11th place.

Published 18/03/13