SOUTHSEA REGATTA

Saturday, 6th July, 2007

Finally there is a challenge to Wightlink sponsored Ryde Rowing Clubs Senior Sculler Nick Pike's three year dominance of the Hants & Dorset Championship - from Club colleague Matt Allsopp. In another close race Matt beat Nick for the 2nd time this year at Southsea Regatta on Saturday to claim another point and close the gap in the Championship. The advantage remains with Nick who has five points but with five more still to race - but the chase is on.

At the same Regatta Mike and Nick joined with Ian Hayden, Ben Ade and cox Bryony Reeve to race in the Senior Fours and following a comfortable row to qualify for the final they had to come from behind, once again, to secure 2nd place to Coast ARA Club Herne Bay - but critically were the first Hants & Dorset ARA Club to finish therefore taking the Championship point to put them in the lead with four pints over reigning Champions BTC who have three.

In the final of the Senior Ladies the Ryde crew of Emily Page, Jodie Cocker, Sophie Draper, Rachael Brimstone and cox Ollie Gove were forced to withdraw following an injury to Sophie after a re-row was ordered.

The Men's Junior Four of James Eklund, Robin Kirsey, Tom Clark and Callum Lowe found the rough conditions difficult to cope with and following an equipment problem could only manage 6th in their heat. But Tom and Robin had their best race of the year in the Men's Junior Pairs with an impressive 2nd place. Tom then just missed out on a win in the Novice Sculls - finishing 2nd just two feet behind the winner in the closest race of the day. The Clubs other Novice Sculler - Ian Hayden, never comfortable in rough conditions finished 4th and in the Men's Junior Sculls Ben Ade also had a disappointing row finishing in 5th place.

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