In the three Regattas since the Hants and Dorset ARA Competition re-started following the Pandemic, Wightlink-sponsored Ryde Rowing Club had faced some frustration with many second and third places but only three wins.
However last weekend’s (24th/25th July) double header at BTC and Woolston Regattas – both held at Western Shore, Southampton, changed their fortunes as they won five events at BTC Regatta on the Saturday and a further two at Woolston Regatta on the Sunday.
Men’s Senior Fours
In the Men’s Senior Fours, the Ryde crew won at BTC Regatta but could only manage a third place at Woolston although their two wins still gives them a share in the lead for the Hants and Dorset ARA Championship.
Two of the crew – Matt Allsopp and Mike Ewing won the Men’s Senior Pairs at BTC and repeated this performance at Woolston.
Mike Ewing went on to win the Men’s Senior Sculls at both Regattas – achieving the rare feat of winning all three Men’s Senior events at BTC.
Men’s Coastal Sculling
There was further success at BTC Regatta with Joel Smith winning the Men’s Coastal Sculling event to take his third H and D ARA Championship Point – although he could only manage a second at Woolston on the Sunday – and Emily Faithfull won the Ladies Coastal Junior Sculls – her first win in this discipline.
Men’s Novice Scull
In the Men’s Novice Scull, Austin Smith easily won his heat at BTC and finished second in the final, a performance he repeated on the Sunday at Woolston Regatta having finished second in his heat.
However, there was disappointment for the other Ryde Novice Scullers – Ben Sanderson and Tye Cameron who failed to reach the final on either day, although they did compete together in the Men’s Coastal Junior Pair of the Saturday, finishing in fifth place in the final.
Men’s Novice crews
The two Men’s Novice crews of rowed well on both days to reach the final boy’s each day – the A Crew of Paddy Kearney, David Baer, Elliott O’Sullivan and Bradley Whiting coxed by Emily Faithfull on the Saturday and Bryony Reeve on the Sunday finished third on both days.
The B Crew of Yogi Ashworth, Gulley Rhogan, Seb McEwan and Will Hall – making his competitive debut for the Club, with Cayman Adams coxing – finished eighth on the Saturday and seventh on the Sunday.
Ladies Novice Four
The Ladies Novice Four of Beth Walpole, Julie Clark – on loan for the season from Newport – Stella Baisley and Ella Nichols – also making her competitive debut for the Club – with Emily Faithful coxing on the Saturday and Jo Gabber on the Sunday maintained their recent form to finish second on both days.
Boy’s J16 Four
The Club also had a Boy’s J16 Four of – Yogi Ashworth, Elliott O’Sullivan, Bradley Whiting and David Baer with Caymon Adams Coxing – also competing on both days and doing well to finish in second place on each occasion.
News shared by Steve on behalf of Ryde Rowing Club. Ed
