Press Release from Bedford Rowing Club - 12 February 2007

Due to heightened river levels, Bedford Rowing Club staged the Bedford Fours and Eights Head on Sunday 11th February over a shortened 1500 metre course from County Bridge to Longholme.

In fast flowing conditions Bedford Rowing Club picked up 4 wins. The mens Novice Four of Martin Smith, Jeremy Howell, Michael Funge and Matya Illic coxed by Doug Black won in a time of 5:07 to beat 12 other crews. The veteran D coxed four event went to Dick Garrett, Dave Powell, Mick Parker and Mike Harris, coxed by Doug Black. Bill Sadler steered a composite crew to victory in Veteran E coxless fours.

Another good result came from the Womens Senior Three Eight of Nicky Hardy, Lydia Swift, Claire Newton, Sara Reay, Sarah Keens, Tanzy Leitner, JC Anstee, Liane Higgins and cox Jo Lemon who lost out by 2 seconds to Emmanuel College Cambridge. Nicky Hardy and Claire Newton with club-mates Amelia Buckingham and Lizzie Banyard-Smith joined up with Thames Rowing Club to win Womens Senior Two Eights in a time of 5:05.

Other crews from Bedford won the following events:

• Bedford School - Novice Eights

• Bedford Modern School – Junior Eights, Junior 14 Coxed Quad Sculls

• Dame Alice Harpur – Women’s Novice Coxed Fours, Women’s Novice Coxed Quad Sculls

• Bedford High School – Womens Senior Four Eights, Womens Novice Eights, Womens Senior Four Quadruple Sculls, Womens Novice Quadruple Sculls

• Star Club – Elite Coxless Fours, Womens Senior Three Quadruple Sculls, Womens Junior 16 Quadruple Sculls

The next event organised by Bedford Rowing Club is the Spring Fours Head and Small Boats Head to be held on Sunday 15th April 2007. Further details can be found at www.bedfordrowing.co.uk.