Ross Rowing Club Junior Academy members travelled to Peterborough on Saturday, June 28th, to compete in the J14 championships. The event attracts the best crews from all over the country. Captain, Robin Fletcher, was delighted to see the women's J14 quad sculls of Rosie Lindley, Kelly Morris, Eleanor Blackwood and Katie Hudd, coxed by Morgan Baynham Williams, win Gold. They were competing against the very same crews who beat them the previous week at Thames Valley Park. This results puts the Ross rowers at the very top of their age category. Ed Surman competing at J14 single sculls was unlucky not to make his final after posting the 3rd fastest time of the day in his heat as only two progressed to the next round. Rosie Lindley and Kelly Morris both made it through to the women's J14 1x final only to be left behind on the start after a marshalling mix up allowed the race to start without them. Ironbridge - Teams from RRC were at the traditional regatta event in the picturesque Ironbridge Gorge on the river Severn at the weekend. Again it was a successful event for the Junior Squad with the women's J13 doubles being a particular highlight. The crews of Abi Beddard and Amy Surman, and Zoe Sarjent and Rosie Lindley both worked through quarters and semi finals to meet each other in the final. After a tremendously strong start by Zoe and Rosie, it was Abi and Amy who pushed through to win. The Junior Academy had wins from Gregory Fitzhorswell and Lewis Jones, they beat a plucky Sam Taylor and Sam King in the final of the J12 double sculls. Chris Jones worked through his semi final in the J16 single sculls and beat a strong Hereford opponent in the final. This win constitutes Chris's graduation to a senior Sculler, quite an achievement at 16. The cream of the Senior achievements was the victory of the Senior 3 coxed four of Steve Tuck, Chris Mellor, Rolland Robinson, Robin Fletcher and Fraser Blackwood. They won their final in style, over a strong crew from Oxford, these were the first senior wins for Chris and Steve who should be congratulated for their incredible progress. Henley - The top boat from the Ross senior squad missed out on Henley qualification by just 10 seconds on Friday at the qualification races held over the 2,220 meter course. Although very disappointed not to make the final cut in the competition at this level is incredibly fierce. To be this close is an amazing achievement given that two of the rowers first stepped into a boat this time last year. This achievement is a testament to the development programmes available at the Club and the determination of these oarsmen who have made such incredible progress.
