Cambridge University suffer final defeat at Henley Royal Regatta

Light Blues beaten in Visitors' Challenge Cup

Cambridge University Boat Club were beaten in the final of the Visitors’ Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta.

Ben Ruble, Pat Keble, Sash Malowany and Freddie Davidson had made smooth progress through the heats.

And they were up against Leander in the final.

Both crews started strongly, but Leander needed to make an early adjustment for steering, however, they took the lead.

Cambridge made a sprint towards the finish that Leander countered to finish three-quarters of a length ahead.

But Cambridge appealed the result in light of the umpire’s warnings on steering for Leander, however, it was rejected and the result stood.

CUBC president Lance Tredell stroked the GB men’s eight as they were beaten by a length by Germany in the Grand Challenge Cup, and Light Blue cox Ian Middleton was beaten in the final of the Ladies’ Challenge Plate, competing for Molesey and London.

Cantabrigian Rowing Club had produced a good result to beat New Zealand’s Avon Rowing Club in the Thames Challenge Cup, before being beaten by Tideway Scullers’ School in the second round.

And Cambridge 99 were also beaten by Tideway Scullers’, this time in the Wyfold Challenge Cup, having secured a three-and-a-half length win over HSBC Rowing Club in the first round.