Bedford Quarts Sprint Regatta
Bedford Rowing Club performances in the Bedford Quarts Sprint Regatta at the weekend produced seven winners and four other finalists in the blustery conditions, which made rowing a challenge for the 160 crews that entered. The massive two pint pewter pots were worth the effort of racing the 600m course upstream from the Supension Bridge to the Town Bridge.
The fastest crew of the day were King Edward VII School from South Africa, who won Senior II Eights from Goldie Boat Club, Cambridge. The school also won Senior IV Coxed Fours, beating Bedford Rowing Club, who were the hosts for their European tour. However, Bedford gained revenge in the Senior III Double Sculls event, where Mike Tearle and Michael Hardy were the victors.
Another pair of clubs swapping victories were Bedford and Staines Rowing Clubs in Elite Coxed and Coxless Fours. The Bedford crew of Gwynn Williams, Michael Hardy, Blaine Castle, Patrick Doyle and cox Meghan Slack powered home to take the prize by 1.25 lengths. The coxless fours was an easy victory for Staines, as Bedford had trouble steering the bend.
Victories were achieved across the club, as Bedford's Womens Senior I Eight of Yvette Guise, Leslie Clinton , Michelle Emsley, Ruth Easterbrook, Keely Jackson, Julie Bavington, Aine O'Conner, Lydia Swift and cox Wayne Page finished 3/4 length ahead of local rivals Star Club, to whom they have never lost this season. The Womens Novice Coxed Four, consisting of Rachel Hunt, Soraya Mitchell, Ruth Blair, Mary Edmunds and cox Sara Reay won a convincing race against Cantabrigian RC to win their first ever regatta.
Veteran rowing crews were especially busy over the weekend, with the Henley Veterans' Regatta on Saturday and more competition in Bedford on Sunday. The Veteran C Coxed Four of Huw Maltby, Paul Knights, Richard White, Bill Sadler and cox Alison Fairs were winners on both days. Their win at Henley was especially gratifying, as it reversed a defeat they suffered to a Thames Tradesman crew at the National Veteran's Championships three weeks ago. Dave Catlin defended his Veteran C Single Sculls title from last year as he cruised to a 2 length victory.
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