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Photos: Jack Western
Derwent dominated the annual college rowing event on Sunday night, as they fended off all competition to retain the title they won last year.
Led by the likes of Hugo Marino, Sam Davies and Fraser Kirkley, with the latter assuming the duties of UYRUFC captain by day and champion rower by night, they began the nights as strong favourites to hold onto their crown, but were pushed all the way by James and Vanbrugh in what proved to be an intense contest.
The event is quickly building up a reputation as one of the most popular events in the college sport calendar, and it showed on Sunday with riotous crowds cheering the teams on throughout. The most captivating contest of the night was the mixed 4,000 metre race, which saw the depleted Goodricke and Wentworth sides withdrawn from the competition. York Sport President Cass Brown took to the urgos, representing Langwith.
In the end, Derwent’s strength proved too much for nearest challengers James, who had led up until the halfway mark. They finished within 14 minutes after Kirkley’s late burst secured victory in the 4,000 race as well as the overall standings.
After the event, College Sport officer Dave Washington told Vision: “I’m delighted that the event was so well-attended, and that everyone enjoyed it. The atmosphere was incredible – a perfect advertisement for college sport. Derwent merited the victory, but everyone who took part from every college deserves praise for their efforts.”