BTC SOUTHAMPTON REGATTA, 20th AUGUST, 2005

There was another good performance from the Wightlink sponsored Ryde Rowing Club at the BTC Southampton Regatta on the 20th August.

The highlight was a second win for the Clubs Novice Ladies Crew of Rachael Middle, Amiee Dibbens, Hayley Edwards and Rachael Whitmarsh and coxed by Kim Salter - to gain promotion to Junior Status and to secure the Hants & Dorset ARA's Ladies Novice Championship for the Club - the Club's third Association Championship in 2005.

A second win came in the Junior Senior Four - the crew of Dave Squibb, Nick Christopher, Ollie Bottrell and Stu Johnson coxed by Jamie Lawson defeating Championship Leaders Christchurch. The Club has not given up on adding this Championship to its haul - a qualifying win at the last Regatta of the season would tie the competition forcing a row-off.

Nick Pike in the Men's Senior Sculls continued his domination of this event with his 7th win of the season, with the other Ryde Senior Scullers close behind - Matt Allsopp finishing in 2nd place and Mike Jenner in 4th.

The Men's J16 crew of Ian Dyer, Tom Clark, James Eklund and Jamie Lawson with Ashley Maitland coxing won their 2nd consecutive J16 event and then went on to race in the Men's Novice Fours where they had their best result of the season finishing 3rd in the final.

The Men's Senior Four of Ben Ade, Nick Pike, Matt Allsopp and Mike Jenner with Tom Clark coxing finished 3rd behind BTC and Christchurch and have now unfortunately missed out on Association representation honours for the first time in two years.  However the Men's Junior Four of Con Sullivan, Matt Evans, Sam Cocker and Ben Churchill, coxed by Jodie Cocker are expected to be selected to represent the Association but will be disappointed with their 2nd place at this Regatta.

The young Junior Ladies Crew of Kim Salter, Sarah Lamb, Sophie Draper and Rachael Brimstone, coxed by Jasmine Burr-Hersey found the pace in their heat, against much older and experienced crews, difficult to cope with missing out on a place in the final.

However the Clubs Men's Novice Scullers - Ben Ade and Ben Churchill both made their final where they finished 2nd and 3rd respectively and Junior Sculler Steve Salter also sculled well to take 3rd place in his final.

This weekend the Club travels to the final Hants & Dorset Regatta of the season, again in Southampton, and held on the River Itchen and hosted by the Itchen Imperial Rowing Club.