Rutherford wouldn't be Rutherford without some weather, but the weather gods nearly outdid themselves this year.
The Head ran on Saturday 27 November despite the elements conspiring against us at Tyne RC. Although there had been a lot of snow in the few days beforehand, the forecast for the night before and the day itself day were quite favourable, apart from the cold.
However, unexpected overnight snow on Friday night in and around Tyneside left the event hanging on by its finger tips at 7.00am. But members rallied round - see the photo of the intermediate squad clearing the steps - and it happened.
Both local and distant clubs rang in to scratch, but others got through, notably Heriot-Watt University who came down from Edinburgh that morning and arrived with minutes to spare.
The club nearly decided to run one single midday division, but then said “Let's just get on with it”. So two proper divisions were run, although with less than half the expected crews in each.
The club nearly decided to run one single midday division, but then said “Let's just get on with it”. So two proper divisions were run, although with less than half the expected crews in each.
Fastest crew over the 5km in the morning was a Newcastle University Elite eight in 15m 54s, 5 seconds ahead of Durham University. In the afternoon fastest crew in 16m 41s was a University of London Elite coxless quad.
Last to leave (the trailer, anyway) was Durham School, whose Jon Williamson (in shorts as ever) came to drag their boats out on 30 November. He managed to get out at the traffic lights with the help of a JCB.
Photos of all crews who raced are available from www.ian-smith.info and www.activfoto.co.uk.
List of photo credits for this page numbering from top are: Colin Percy (1,6), Paula Dobson (2,4), Andy Farquhar (3), Ian Smith (5) and aso Andy Farquhar (below).
