Bexhill crews continue winning form

Conditions were slightly rough which meant all competitors had to keep their wits about them in this Coast Amateur Rowing Association regatta.

The junior four of Toby Mathews, Joe Pellet, Matt Hellier, Ashley Cahill and cox Andy Bickers claimed their fourth win of the year. They were made to fight all the way though by Deal who were only edged out over the last few strokes as Bexhill edged home by four feet.

It was a different story when they split up into the pairs as Hellier and Cahill powered to a convincing victory and now head the championship by one win.

The ladies' senior pair of Jemma Cropper and Jennifer Dawes produced their best finish of the year by gaining their first 2nd place, and it must surely be only a matter of time before they are celebrating their first success.

They then teamed up with twins Rachael and Jo Cripps to gain their second successive 3rd place finish in the ladies' four. The veteran four secured a further point towards championship selection by also coming home in 3rd.

Bexhill had two crews in the senior pairs final with Matt and Mark Mitchell being joined by Andy Bickers and Darren Mitchell. The Mitchells were never troubled as they collected their third win of the year to extend their championship lead.

Rowing conditions were improving slightly when the senior four of Matt and Mark Mitchell, Chris Mizen, Keiran Cahill and Terri Miller took to the water. A steady start saw them surge into the lead by two lengths at the turns. A bumpy inward ride allowed Herne Bay to draw level with 100 metres to go, but a huge push for the line secured a third win of the year and enabled the Bexhill crew to regain top spot in their championship.

Bexhill's own regatta, meant to have been held the following day, was postponed due to unsafe conditions and has been rescheduled (provisionally) for Saturday August 6.