The Ryde crew of Stephen Johnson, Adam Edwards, Ollie Gove and James Cleary – with Chloe Weaver of BTC coxing -maintained their impressive and dominating performance at Itchen Regatta on Saturday (5th July) to win an eighth consecutive race this season – their dominance of the event putting the seasons remaining fixtures at risk as their opposition consider their options.
In spite of some other strong performances, this was the Wightlink-sponsored clubs only victory at the Regatta – although their Ladies Junior Pair of Jodie Cocker and Steph Kissick finished first in their final only to be disqualified for a wayward course.
There was frustration for the three Men’s Novice crews – the “A” crew of Will Ford, Callum Lockhart, James Smith and Sam Brading; the “B” Crew of – Joe Groves, Jacob Redstone, Steven Soal and Ben Toms and the “C” crew of Joel Smith, Matt Jeacock, Tom Kearney and Dom Douglas – all coxed by Austin Smith – who were all defeated in their respective heats – although with an average age of just 16 for this squad they do present a bright future for the Club.
Ben Toms, Tom Kearney, Dom Douglas and Jacon Redstone also competed in a J16 Four – once again going out in the heat – the same fate befalling the three J16 Single Scullers – of Steven Soal, Joe Groves and Joel Smith – although they were unlucky with the draw which pitched all three of them against the strongest opposition. Matt Jeacock raced in a composite crew with Shanklin in the Four and made the final.
Senior Sculler Mick Jenner – who also competed in a composite Masters four with BTC – finished 2nd in his final and Novice Sculler Andy Hicks was unlucky to have a dead-heat in his race – forcing a re-row – where he narrowly missed out to the eventual winner. Ryde’s 2nd Novice Sculler – Dale Buckett had an encouraging scull but was also defeated in his heat.
Photographed: Ryde’s J16 Single Scullers – Steven Soal. Joel Smith and Joe Groves
