Morgan Baynham-Williams, a member of Ross-on-Wye Rowing Club, coxed the Oxford University Women’s Boat Club Squad to victory at Cancer Research UK Boat Races on Sunday, March 27th.

The team won the race with a strong lead after a bold move by Morgan to lead them to shelter to the north bank during tough conditions.

Ian Howell, who coaches at Ross-on-Wye Rowing Club, told the Ross Gazette: “I’m immensely proud of her. She’s achieved massive amounts already and now she’s got this incredible exposure in a high-profile event. It shows just how talented she is.”

Ian went to see the races on the day to cheer on the 21-year-old rower. He explained that Morgan made “all sorts of interesting manoeuvres” but he said she knew precisely what she was doing and it had all been premeditated; she moved the boat over near the bank where the water was calmer.

“It’s been brilliant for the club,” he said, “It’s made such a splash. We always hope to give kids the opportunity to enjoy rowing, and keep a love of sport, giving them a pathway.”

Morgan has been a member of Ross Rowing Club for more than ten years; Ian explained that Morgan was in the first ever intake of the Junior Squad in 2005, when she was about ten years old.

When Morgan comes home from University, she still helps out at the Rowing Club, and coaches some of her fellow club members.

The Oxbridge Boat Races are amongst the oldest sporting events in the World. The men’s races were first held in 1829, and the women’s were first held in 1927.

Every year, thousands of visitors eager to watch the races, pile along the banks of the Tideway, between Putney and Mortlake in London. The races also attract an international audience, with millions of viewers tuned in on TV, all over the world.