In the Men's Junior Senior Fours races the
Ryde crew, consisting of Chris Walker, Matt Bull, Mike Palin, Lee Bennett
and coxed by Jamie Lawson maintained their recent improved form finishing
2nd at Woolston and 3rd at Southampton Town.
The Men's Juniors squad are still
experimenting with the best crew formation with a group consisting of Stu
Johnston, Doug Newell, Steve Hunns, Ben Churchill, Sam Cocker, Matt Evans,
Tom Fairy, Dan Lashley, Ollie Bottrell and Nick Christopher boating at both
Regattas in various formations in coxed fours and coxless pairs - Kim Salter
and Jodie Cocker providing the coxing expertise. The fours remain a little
off the pace the A crew finishing 3rd at Woolston and 4th at Southampton
Town - and the B crew 4th and 5th at these Regattas. The coxless pairs have
fared better - with the A crew of Doug Newell and Steve Huns winning at
Woolston with the B Crew of Dan Lashley and Ben Churchill 3rd and at
Southampton Town a crew Ben Churchill and Doug Newell finished 2nd.
The Men's Novice four crew of Dave Squibb, Sigi Pearce, Rob Arnold, Sam
Billington with Tom Clark coxing finished 2nd at both Regattas behind a
strong BTC crew who now move up to Junior status which should open the door
for Ryde Novice wins.
The Junior Ladies crew of Jodie Cocker, Louise Austin, Becky York, Clare
Salter with Tom Clark coxing at Woolston and Jamie Lawson at Southampton
Town are still trying to find their form and finished 4th at each Regatta.
The Ladies Novice Crew of Vici Christopher, Steph Goodey, Chloe Attrill and
Kirsty Sedewick with Kim Salter coxing continue to improve and also finished
4th at each Regatta.
However Ryde's Novice and Junior scullers are beginning to dominate - at
Woolston, the "Pocket rocket" Ashley Maitland won the new Novice Sculls
event to become the first ever official Hants & Dorset ARA Junior sculler.
He was joined at this status by another Ryde sculler - Mike Jenner, who
following a capsize in the Novice sculls event recovered his composure to
win the Junior sculls - with Ashley Maitland in second place. They went on
to repeat this performance at Southampton Town - with Mike just staying
ahead of Ashley to win the Junior sculls event. With both these scullers now
unable to compete at the lower Novice status - Pete Nevill represented the
Club and although he failed to make the final at both regattas his
performance continues to improve each week.
A Senior coxless pair - of Ben Ade and Steve Salter competed at Southampton
Town, finishing in 7th place and the Club entered two coxed fours in the
mixed event at Southampton Town, raced in memory of John Carter and finished
4th and 6th.
The Club travels to Poole Regatta on Saturday, 14th June and J15 Sculler Ben
Churchill is expected to compete at a Wessex Regional Rowing Council Junior
event on Sunday, June 15th.
Ryde Rowing Club is also pleased to announce that Wightlink, I.W Ferries
have agreed to continue their sponsorship of the Club throughout the 2003
season and into 2004.
Attached photo of Ash Maitland, first Official Hants & Dorset ARA Junior
Sculler following the introduction of Men's Novice Sculling this season -
two Novice wins required for promotion which he achieved at Shanklin and
Woolston Regattas.
Steve Bull
