Gallagher Great Race report and pics

WAIKATO MEN VANQUISH THE BLUES – BUT WOMEN LOSE OUT TO SYDNEY

Waikato University's men triumphed in the Gallagher Great Race today in a stunning performance against favourites Oxford University - but there was disappointment for the Waikato women as they were rowed down by Sydney University in the dying moments of their race after leading all the way.

A big crowd turned out to see the annual Gallagher clash, and this year all of the crews were packing more pedigree than perhaps any in the history of the event before them. Waikato’s impressive men’s boat included treble world champs Duncan Grant and Joseph Sullivan, Olympian Nathan Cohen, new World Under 23 champion Tobias Wehr Candler, former Under 23 champion Dane Boswell and the evergreen Nathan Twaddle. Indeed, such was the strength of the boat that double world lightweight champion Graham Oberlin Brown was left on the bench and the other two seats were filled by the impressive Adam Trip and Daniel Murtagh.

Oxford meanwhile, was packing a huge punch in the form of four of the Boat Race winning crew and four others who will probably make it into the crew in 2010. The Big Four included George Bridgewater, erstwhile pairs partner to Twaddle, Olympic gold medallist and rowing legend who may well have been making his last competitive rowing appearance. But he wasn't the only Kiwi on board. 1982 and 1983 world champion cox Andy Hay - these days sports editor with TVNZ - answered the call when the Oxford cox didn't travel to New Zealand and fulfilled unfinished business in his illustrious sports career by taking up the rudder in a big, long distance head to head eights race.

The coin toss - staged inevitably between old mates Bridgewater and Twaddle - went Oxford's way and they took the West station, with Waikato taking West at the start. With less current, that side of the river offers advantage at the start and finish and Waikato went out at 45 on Lee Spear’s flag as they chased the crucial early lead. This they took, but the bigger Oxford crew maintained a gap of about a length, benefitting from Hay's silky smooth coxing that kept the boat in the best water without any contact with foliage near the water's edge.

Whilst Oxford looked big and relentless, Waikato looked the more urgent. Sharper catches and a lovely rhythm from the stern pair of Boswell and Murtagh helped them build a three length lead before the crossover but just before the two coxswain’s big moves, Oxford came back strongly and reduced the margin to a little over one length clear water. A mega finish looked a distinct possibility.

Waikato though, were the fitter of the two crews on the day and in the final straight 1,000 metres to the finish and the roaring crowd raised their rating and speed impressively. The expected charge on the West side from Oxford never really materialised and Waikato came home two lengths to the good – deserved winners in a superb race.

The earlier women's race was an absolute nail biter. Both crews were lucky to survive intact after heavy contact with overhanging branches early in the race as they sought the water with least current - paradoxically the most dangerous water in terms of potential contact. Sydney's girls indeed, were lucky to stay in the boat at all after their huge collision with the greenery whilst chasing the flying Waikato girls who took a handy early lead. Waikato at that moment had a golden opportunity to put the race away but there was no discernable push and Sydney got back into their rhythm quickly to minimise the damage – and this was perhaps the critical point of the race.

As the crews crossed stations and entered the final phase, Waikato's lead was slowly being eroded and into the home stretch. Sydney, stroked in some style on the faster city side of the river by Olympian Sally Kehoe, piled on the pressure and built up a real finishing push that put immense pressure on the relatively young Waikato crew. Despite having some serious athletes of their own, including single sculler Emma Twigg, they could not pick up enough speed in stronger current and Sydney sneaked through to win by half a length.

MEN

Waikato University

Cox: Ainslee Ashton
8 Dane Boswell
7 Daniel Murtagh
6 Nathan Twaddle
5 Adam Tripp
4 Tobias Wher-Candler
3 Nathan Cohen
2 Joseph Sullivan
1 Duncan Grant

Oxford University

Cox: Andrew Hay
8 Colin Smith
7 George Bridgewater
6 Brodie Buckland
5 Alex Hearne
4 Justin Stangel
3 Michal Plotkowiak
2 Michael Valli
1 Colin Keogh

WOMEN

Waikato University

Cox: Ivan Pavich
8 Erin Tolhurst
7 Odette Sceats
6 Lucy Spoors
5 Emma Twigg
4 Ali Burnside
3 Laura Fischer
2 Regan Barkla
1 Julia Trautvetter

Sydney University

Cox: Ali Williams
8 Sally Kehoe
7 Charlotte Walters
6 Liz Kell
5 Sarah Cook
4 Emma Costello
3 Ailsa Tremayne
2 Ashleigh Peppernell
1 Emma Cook