Wightlink-sponsored Ryde Rowing Club travelled the short distance across the Solent on Saturday (16th July) to compete in the largest one day rowing regatta in the country at Southsea.
The best result of the day came from the Ladies Coastal Junior Four ‘A’ crew of Kristy Newman, Lisa Murphy, Ayesha Russell and Catherine Murphy – with Mick Jenner coxing – who comfortably qualified for their final where they finished in third place. The ‘B’ crew of Abi Locke, Julie Cole, Karen Crook and Emily Pike – with Alan Evans coxing – failed to make the final.
The Men’s Coastal Junior Four of James Smith, Ben Toms, Jacob Redstone and Joe Groves – with Dale Buckett coxing – had a reasonable row in only their second outing at this status, but failed to make their final also.
Coastal Junior sculler Dale Buckett, who has shown great progress since his promotion from Novice status at the beginning of the season, had a “bad day at the office” failing to make it through to the final, but there was a better performance from Senior Sculler Joe Evans-Murrey who finished in fourth place in his final. There was another fourth place for Novice Sculler Joel Smith in his final after winning his heat.
Joel then competed with James Smith in the Men’s Coastal Junior Pair, finishing fourth in their heat to take their place in the final where they finished in a slightly disappointing eigth place. In their heat they narrowly defeated the club’s other Coastal Junior Pair of Jacob Redstone and Joe Groves who finished fifth in the same heat, narrowly missing out on a place in the final – in their first race in a pair at this status.
Ryde now look forward to the South Coast Rowing Championships which take place in Herne Bay, Kent on Saturday 3rd September.
