Woolston Regatta 25th June 05

WOOLSTON REGATTA, 25th JUNE, 2005.

In spite of three impressive wins at Woolston Regatta on Saturday, Wightlink sponsored Ryde Rowing Club came away from the Regatta slightly disappointed.

The hi-light of the day for the Club was another impressive win for their Junior Four of John Sullivan, Matt Evans, Dave Squibb and Sam Cocker, coxed by Clare Salter, against a much stronger field confirming that they are serious contenders for the Hants & Dorset Championships and South Coast representative honours.

Also impressive was Senior Sculler Nick Pike who took another step towards retaining his Hants & Dorset Championship with a well deserved win against all the main contenders. Mike Jenner sculled well in his heat but failed to make the final. However he then teamed up with Novice Sculler Ian Hayden to claim a third victory for the Club in one of this years trial events - the double sculls, where the rules require one of the crew to be a Novice.

There was disappointment for the Senior Four of Nick Pike, Mike Jenner, Ian Hayden and Ben Ade, coxed by Tom Clark who after an impressive win the previous week could only finish in 5th place in their final in a very competitive and close fought race.

There was further disappointment for the Ladies Novice A of Kim Salter, Sarah Lamb, Sophie Draper and Rachael Brimstone, coxed by Jasmine Burr-Hersey who finished third in another close race that they had hoped to win - although it can only be a matter of time before this impressive young crew gains a second Novice win and a deserved promotion to Junior status. The Novice Ladies B Crew of Rachael Middle, Amy Dibben, Hayley Edwards and Rachael Whitmarsh will not be far behind them - they finished 5th in the final with an improved performance.

Novice Scullers Ben Churchill and Ben Ade continue to battle hard in the Men’s Novice sculls but are currently just off the pace - both failing to make their final.

The Novice Men’s crew was unable to compete as a crew due to other commitments but two of them - Tom Clark and James Eklund raced in a Composite four with two Novices from Southampton and coxed by Ryde's Clare Salter - finishing in 7th place.

This weekend the Club competes at Milford Regatta, run by Lymington Rowing Club and will be hoping for more success - but before this some of the Club - who are currently still on duty with their University or local to university boats clubs will be competing at Henley Royal Regatta from Wednesday, 29th June - Ryde oarsman Ash Maitland, Steve Salter and Ollie Bottrell all having qualified in various crews for this prestigious event.

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