J18 Girls win Elite Lightweight 4 at HWR

Molesey's Juniors have won their first ever event at Henley Women's Regatta, the lightweight 4 of Frankie Hughes, Becky Thompson, Courtenay Hallwood and Grace Prigmore beat Mortlake  Anglia and Alpha Boat Club in the final by 1.5 lengths to take the Vesta Cup from their possession for the first time since 2006.
The girls progressed to the final via a semi-final against a composite of experienced campaigners including former World lightweight singles champion and multiple HWR winner Naomi Ashcroft.
In their semi-final Molesey used a very fast start to take a lead of nearly a length by the end of the island, despite all efforts from the UTRC composite, this margin remained down the course with a verdict of 3/4 of a length being given.
In the final the fast start gave Molesey a lead of a canvas at the end of the island, this was extended to nearly a length in the second 250m but MAA kept the pressure up gaining two seats coming past the Barn Bar. The Molesey girls held the push but the crews remained no more than 2 seats apart going through the boating area. Moving into the final 500m the MAA crew appeared to give it another push but Molesey reacted by moving away from them to break clear in the final 250m.
This was juniors versus seniors, girls that have never had to cope with 'going lightweight' versus established skinnies, girls that did this during their A levels, girls that have led the junior squad in terms of training ethos, attendance, racing excellence and so much more.
This win is definitely tinged with a degree of sadness as I know that the unit will probably not race again, however that negative thought is immediately erased by the memory of the happiest little cycle ride through the Upper Thames lawn as I watched 4 girls that have done everything their coach has thrown at them for 2 years realise that they were going to win at Henley.