The Southport School have fallen just short of their 22nd Head of the River title following an incredible late surge

At the start of the GPS rowing season, The Southport School First VIII coach Cameron Kennedy didn’t believe his crew could be “competitive.”

AT the start of the GPS rowing season, The Southport School First VIII coach Cameron Kennedy didn’t believe his crew could be “competitive.”

But on Saturday at Wyaralong dam, they came within 1.08 seconds of winning the Head of the River.

WHAT IT’S LIKE TO ROW AT HEAD OF THE RIVER

After being arguably the second-best crew all season, TSS made one almighty final charge at the undefeated Brisbane Grammar but ran out of tarmac to close the gap and end their season half a boat length shy of a 22nd Head of the River title.

The TSS First VIII came second at Head of the River. SUPPLIED

First VIII coach Cameron Kennedy admitted there was a sense of ‘what if’ despite maintaining an overwhelming sense of pride in his crew’s performance.

“It wasn’t until I saw the footage and how close we got to the finish line that I thought what if we started our run home at 50 or even 100m earlier, it could have been different,” he said.

“That’s sport and you can’t die wondering but the boys gave it their all and now upon reflection, I’m very proud of their efforts.

“It does take a very special unit to come together and go past very strong crews in the dying stages of a race.”

MEET THE TSS FIRST VIII

With a strong tailwind blowing at Wyaralong dam, TSS jumped out of the gates and recorded their fastest ever opening 500m, hitting speeds they hadn’t even hit in training.

But opposition crews also made advantage of the favourable conditions and TSS sat around fourth place after the first quarter of the race.

They remained in fourth at the halfway mark before clawing their way into third place with 500m to go which is when TSS kicked into gear.

With less than a quarter of the race to go, the boys from Southport surged and mowed down Gregory Terrace to move into second place before making one late run at Grammar.

“When they finally overtook Gregory Terrace, who hadn’t really featured much this year, I was more relieved than anything,” Kennedy said.

“The athletes were quite disappointed because they were aspirational and they weren’t going out there to come second.

“Initially they were disappointed but upon reflection, they appreciated that they gave their best race when it counted and that it was enough to put them in contention.

“They’ve earnt my respect.

“The last few weeks have highlighted how far they’ve come.”

VIRUS SCARE HITS SPORTS TEAM AT COAST’S MOST PRESTIGIOUS SCHOOL

Coxswain Lockie Mactaggart and rower Harry Ward will be the sole returning members of the First VIII in 2021 as Kennedy prepares to tackle another GPS rowing season.

“We’ll give everyone the opportunity to step up so I’m excited to see out next season,” he said.

On Saturday, TSS won the Year 11 division one race and the year 9 division five and six and eight quad.