Christchurch Regatta. Saturday, 11th August, 2007.

FIRST HANTS & DORSET SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP FOR TWENTY YEARS.

Ryde Rowing Club, sponsored by Wightlink IW Ferries, secured their first Hants & Dorset ARA Mens Senior Fours Championship for twenty years, at Christchurch Regatta on Saturday, (11th August).

The Mens Senior A Crew of Mike Jenner, Ben Ade, Matt Allsopp and Ian Hayden with Sophie Hutchinson coxing, knew that, following their disappointing result at Bournemouth the previous weekend, that they would have to change their tactics if they were to win and clinch the title over the short and difficult course where just two boats race side by side. All season the crew have won their races coming from behind and rowing through the field over the last third of the course - a tactic less likely to succeed at Christchurch where a good start and turn are essential.

The crew posted their intent in the first round, where after a blistering start they forged ahead of Lymington to take an immediate lead which they never lost. A similar performance in the semi-final against home Club Christchurch saw them safely into the final where they came up against Newport who had knocked out title contenders BTC in the semi-final. Here another very quick start saw them snatch the early lead and control of the race, which they never looked like loosing to secure the Clubs first Hants & Dorset Amateur Rowing Association Mens Senior Fours Championship for twenty years and guarantee them representative honors for their Association at this years South Coast Rowing Championships, being held at Dorney Lake, Eton, over the 2012 Olympic Regatta course, on Saturday, 8th September.

The Mens Senior B Crew of Ash Maitland, Nick Pike, Matt Evans and Stu Johnson, with Bryony Reeve coxing had found life a little more difficult going out in the first round to Itchen.

Bryony then steered the Mens Junior Four of James Eklund, Callum Lowe, Tom Clark and Robin Kersey who put up a good performance against the eventual event winners Lymington.

The Club now heads for the last Hants & Dorset Championship Regatta of the season, the BTC Regatta, held at Western Shore, Southampton knowing they have one Championship secure and a second guaranteed as the Mens Senior Sculls can only be wn by the holder, Ryde Sculler Nick Pike, or Club colleague Matt Allsopp. A win for Matt this Saturday would make them all level and force a row-off between the two scullers for the  Association Championship.

The Club also has an outside chance of a share in a third Championship - if the young Ryde  Sculler Tom Clark can pull off a win in the Mens Novice Sculls.

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