Wightlink sponsored Ryde Rowing Club competed at Southsea Regatta on Saturday (12th July) in the only event where the two South Coast Rowing Associations compete together before the South Coast Rowing Championships, giving a good indication of form for this event. The Regatta, where more than two hundred crews compete, is the largest one day rowing Regatta in the country and also boasts one of the most valuable Trophies in British rowing - the Portsmouth Grand Challenge Cup for the Senior Fours event.

The return of Matt Allsopp from his river commitments for the Molsey Boat Club, which included Henley Royal Regatta, to join Mike Jenner, Ben Ade, Ian Hayden and Cox Bryony Reeve strengthened the Ryde crew who qualified for the final with some ease. In the final the Ryde Crew made a great start and where the first crew into the buoy turn only for the race to be stopped following an incident in which BTC were disqualified. In the subsequent re-row the Ryde crew again stormed into a lead which they held on to through out the race to record an impressive win and claim the Grand Challenge Cup - although unfortunately its value means that the Cup stays in Portsmouth.

The Clubs Senior B Crew of Matt Evans, Adam Dracott, Stu Johnson and Sam Cocker with Elna Gaskin steering just failed to make the final

There was another fine performance from the Clubs Coastal Junior Four of Callum Lowe, Tim Wiggins, Francis Moore, Tom Clark and Cox Bryony Reeve who completed their 6th win of the season - to maintain their lead in the race for the Hants & Dorset ARA Championships and must now be almost certain of selection to represent the Association at the South Coast Championships in Plymouth in September.

In the Men's Senior Sculls three Ryde scullers reached the final with Matt Allsopp producing the best result finishing in 3rd place - but gaining the all important Hants & Dorset Championship point as the first H&D Sculler to finish. Nick Pike finished just behind Matt in 4th place but disaster struck Mike Jenner who collided with a large metal buoy on the course causing considerable damage to his boat and forcing him to withdraw.

The Men's Senior Pair of Ian Hayden and Ben Ade had a good row down to the turn in their heat, where they were in third place but they struggled on the return leg finishing just outside the qualifying places for the final.

A similar fate befall the Junior Pair of James Eklund and Jamie Lawson but the other Ryde pair, of Callum Lowe and Tom Clark, were more successful qualifying for the final, but then suffering from equipment failure forcing their withdrawal.

Ian Hayden competing in the Junior Sculls again had a reasonably good row down to the buoys, but, never entirely comfortable sculling in  rough conditions struggled on the return leg again missing out on a place in the final.

Copyright © 2003 Ryde Rowing Club - Last modified: October 01, 2009