Wightlink-sponsored Ryde Rowing Club continued their encouraging start to the season on Saturday (9th April) with 4 crews competing at the Southampton Coastal Fours Head on the River Itchen, a 5 mile timed event raced over two divisions and the traditional curtain raiser to the Hants & Dorset ARA Season.
The best performances probably came from the club’s 2 new Ladies Novice Crews, racing in Division 2, who finished 2nd and 3rd in their status with just 1-and-a-half seconds separating the crews – the “B” crew of Emily Pike, Lisa Murphy, Ayesha Russel, Catherine Murphy and Alan Evans coxing beating the “A” crew of Abi Locke, Julie Cole, Karen Crook, and Kate Whitehurst and Micky Jenner coxing. This result bodes well for some early Ladies Novice wins in the fast approaching Hants & Dorset season.
There was another good result for the club’s scratch Coastal Junior crew of Joel Smith, James Smith, cox Mick Jenner and two new members Sam Sussmes and Henry Gove making their racing debuts for the Club. Racing in Division 1 they finished 3rd in their status and 8th overall, a fine performance from a crew that was only put together in the week prior to the race in order to give all those who wanted a race a chance to compete.
The Men’s Novice Four of Dom Douglas, Jacob Redstone, Ben Toms and Joe Groves with Austin Smith coxing also put in a strong performance finishing 5th in their status in a very strong field.
Featured photograph: Mens Novice Four racing under Northam bridge
