Thanks to Steve for this latest update from Ryde Rowing Club. In his own words, Ed
Illness, injury, holidays and engagement celebrations led to a much depleted team from Wightlink sponsored Ryde Rowing Club attending the last Hants & Dorset Championship Regatta on Saturday (24th August) hosted by the BTC Rowing Club at Western Shore, Southampton.
With their Hants & Dorset ARA Championship winning Men’s Coastal Junior Four not present the Club’s best chance of success came from the Ladies Senior Four of Sophie Brown, Hayley Spall, Lou Maidment and Maddie Dunn with Sam Brown coxing.
Second place for Ladies Senior Four
The crew, who have missed much of the season through injury after a winning start, were desperate to show that they were returning to form and could still mount a challenge.
They were very encouraged by an excellent second place, less than a length behind the Association Champions from Itchen Imperial, who they pushed all the way to the finish.
Men’s Novice Four
The Club also boated a very young Men’s Novice Four of Joe Groves, Jake Redstone, Tom Kearney and Dom Douglas with Sam Brading coxing once again, who have an average age of just fourteen – and competed well in the difficult conditions but failed to make the final.
This crew competed again in the Boys J16 event with Elys Norman racing instead of Dom – where they finished in fourth place and fourth place was also the result for Men’s Novice Sculler Dale Buckett.
Final regatta of the Hants & Dorset season
This regatta completes the Hants & Dorset Season and at the Association Council Meeting after the regatta, Ryde were confirmed as the Hants & Dorset ARA Men’s Coastal Junior Fours Champions – the Clubs forty-second Hants & Dorset ARA Championship win – and their selection to represent the Association at the South Coast Championship Regatta- which will be the 36th time the Club has represented the Association.
