EX-ALICE Ottley School sculler Philippa Turner from Wickhamford, together with her partner Fern Cotterill from Tenbury Wells, added to their impressive record by taking the gold medal at the National Schools Regatta held in Nottingham.

Rowing for Wycliffe College at WJ16 level this combination took silver last year (WJ15) and were determined to go one better.

The season had started well winning the Inter-Regional Regatta earlier this month against strong opposition. Confidence was high but winning the National Schools is always the hardest national competition to win as all of the GB crews are entered together with the cream of the rowing world.

The Wycliffe duo were again drawn in Lane 1 for the first heat, known to be the worst position in Nottingham particularly when there is a strong wind as in the Inter-Regionals.

This time conditions were kind and Wycliffe blasted off the start to lead Sir William Borlase by a length at 500m and despite regular pushes by SWB, Wycliffe responded each time to win the heat by a length, but both qualified easily.

Qualification to the semi-final was guaranteed as was the prime lane to race. Grange School were the main threat winning their heat only three seconds slower than the 2002 National Champions with Tideway Scullers the outsiders. Again Wycliffe showed their class and matched their first round time over the first 500 that enabled Philippa and Fern to control the race leading Grange by two lengths. Grange used all of their power to try and get on terms but eventually lost by three quarters of a length with a strong Headington third all to proceed to the final.

Wycliffe had controlled their heats sup-erbly but now it was a question of who wanted the gold most and who had the strength left after the heats. Wycliffe were favourites but Sir William Borlase with GB sculler Tinley, Grange School and Queen Elizabeth High School were not going to give in without a fight.

Wycliffe again blasted off the start in exactly the same time as in previous heats but this time were a canvas down at 500m to Sir William Borlase. GB sculler, Amy Tinley was not going to give Wycliffe an easy ride this time.

Queen Elizabeth High School were a length down in third place at 500 but were destined to get the bronze six lengths down on the winners.

Wycliffe took the initiative at 1000m leading by half a length and this was reduced to a third of a length by 1500m after a monumental effort by SWB. Wycliffe saw them coming and responded pulling away as the line approached to win by nearly a length.

Philippa and Fern had been in a battle but emerged victorious winning their first gold at this, the ultimate of National events and win for Wycliffe College the Simon Sears Cup last won by Wycliffe in 1998. Fern added to her impressive medal haul by getting bronze in the WJ16 single scull event losing out only to two GB scullers.