MORE than 1,000 rowers made a big splash on the River Wye at Monmouth Regatta, as the host club rowed away with the first ever Phil Mathew Memorial Invitation eights title, in honour of its former commentator.
The Monmouth RC crew – veterans over 40 boosted by young guns Louis Paterson and Tom Penny – scored one-length victories over Maidstone and then Monmouth School's old boys in the 750m final secured the title from a six-boat field that also included Bristol Ariel, Hereford and Stourport.
A record 463 boats from 48 clubs raced at the two-day event, with the Wye's host clubs racking up 18 wins: 12 at the opening sprint regatta and six over the 1,500m course on day two.