Tuks row to success

LONELY TRIUMPH: Amy Mattushek of St Andrew’s College celebrates after winning the women’s junior best sculls event at the Buffalo Regatta on Saturday in East London.

THE University of Pretoria (Tuks)  reinforced their powers in the senior rowing front as they collected  major trophies including the Grand Challenge title at the Buffalo Regatta in East  London on Saturday afternoon.

Tuks completed a one-three finish in  the senior men’s 1st four’s, but unlike last  year, the lightweight crew finished ahead  of the heavyweights.

Tuks finished the race in a time of 7:49  seconds with the University of Cape Town  (UCT) comfortably taking silver after finishing in second place.

Olympic Gold medalist and lightweight  four captain James Thompson thought  their victory was a great opportunity for  them to stamp their authority on the  race.

“It was a great race, we are very happy  with the result. Last year we lost to the  heavyweight crew and this year we made  it one of our goals to ensure that we won.

“The Grand Challenge is one of the  biggest and historic trophy in the country; winning it was our ultimate goal following winning gold at the London  Olympics

“It’s always special to come down to  East London and perform well at the Buffalo Regatta; it sets the pace for the rest  of the year and upcoming competitions,”  said Thompson.

The crew strategically ensured victory  early in the race getting out of the blocks  early and moving from lane four to lane  one to avoid the strong current in the  middle of the river.

Thompson, John Smith with two new  members (Scott Donaldson and Mike Voerman) from the 2012 Olympic Gold crew  will now turn their attention to the university’s championships and the world  champs later this year.

Thompson went on to commend the  increasing standard of rowing at the Buffalo Regatta and in the country in general.

“The country’s standard of rowing has  developed quite well in the past five to six  years but what was also on display here  this weekend was some of the best rowing I’ve seen at national level.

“Clubs, especially seniors, are starting  to kick up a gear or two at every event;  the rowing is improving gradually and  the competition is getting tighter at  school level as well,” he added.

Tuks went on to complete a one and  two finish in the senior men’s 1st eights  in the second last event of the regatta.

Old Edwardians managed to claim silver ahead of UCT and Rhodes in the final.

The Olympic women’s A coxed pair of  Naidene Smith and Leanne Perse also  claimed gold in their event, beating UCT  by more than two lengths .

In the juniors finals St Benedicts announced their arrival in college rowing  with a flawless rowing display to claim  the junior men’s 1st eight’s title in a time  of 7:38 seconds.

In a neck and neck finish for second  place, St Andrew’s narrowly pipped King  Edward High to finish second.

Formerly referred to as ‘Bennies’ in  rowing circles, St Benedicts also scooped  gold in the juniors men’s U16 1st eights  and the men’s U16 coxed fours.

Captain Kelvin da Silva believes their  row in the last 500 metres was the difference between gold and silver.

“We felt something kick in in the last  500 metres and we all pushed and went  for the kill and we pulled it off.

“Last year we won the B section final  and this year we made it our goal to win  this final ,” concluded Da Silva.