J16 Coxed Four at Itchen

Ryde junior rowers head to Itchen for the Regatta

Thanks to Steve for this latest report from Ryde Rowing Club. Ed


First-up was the Boys J15 Double Scull Ben Toms and Tom Kearney – in the “B” event – who finished a close second in their final. The Boys J15 Coxed Quad of Dom Douglas, Matt Jeacock, Joel Smith and Joe Groves with Paddy Kearney Coxing were then narrowly defeated in their semi-final.

Austin Smith, then competed in the Boys J13 Single Sculls acquitting himself well in only his second ever race. Dom Douglas and Joel Smith then raced in the Boys J15 Double where they finished third in their final. Joe Groves and Joel Smith competed again in the Boys J15 Single Sculls with both just failing to make the final. Austin Smith and Ben Toms then teamed up in the Boys J15 Double Sculls “B” event – the first time this combination had raced together – and finished in second place in their final.

Performing beyond expectations
A Boys J16 Coxed Four of Tom Kearney, Ben Toms, Matt Jeacock and Joe Groves with Paddy Kearney Coxing once again, performed beyond expectations to win their heat and narrowly miss-out in the final. It was a busy day for young Coxswain Paddy Kearney as he also steered for Island neighbours Shanklin in a number of races and had a win with them with Ryde also lending them boats.

Image: Ryde’s J14 Coxed Four – runners-up in their event at the Itchen Junior Regatta. L to R – Matt Jeacock, Tom Kearney, Joe Groves and Ben Toms with Paddy Kearney (Cox) in front.