Dover’s Novice Fours crews gained promotion to the Junior ranks at the Worthing Regatta weekend. The Men’s Novice crew of Cameron Mackintosh, Nathan Peach, Matt Barnett, Jon Cook coxed by Rebecca Stothart got a great start and gained a length on the other crews. Driving on they extended their lead at the turn pulling away from the Worthing crew on the return leg to secure their progression to Junior status. The crew also competed in the Men’s Junior Fours races coming home in 5th place place both days. The Ladies Novice Fours of Emma Spanton, Brogan Day, Kate Day, Ella Day coxed by Tony Burrows were quick off the line and were neck and neck with Southsea as they headed up the course. Southsea gradually pulled clear and were able to hold Dover off at the finish. Day 2 saw the same crew with a last minute cox change of Emma Oliver in for Burrows. Another good start saw the Dover crew pulling away from Shoreham on the inside. Oliver kept a consistent line to the turn before steering her crew more inshore. The Novice’s drove on gaining a larger lead to take their 2nd win for the Day family.
On Saturday the Men’s Junior pair of Chris Hall and Tom Stothart got a good start and set about chasing down the fast starting Herne Bay crew. They overhauled them before the buoy and a sharp turn saw them move a few lengths clear. They gradually extended their lead to take their 4th successive win. Day 2 saw Herne Bay lead to the turn were Dover were affected by the wash from a passing boat dropping them further behind. Unable to catch Herne Bay they came home in 3rd. Hall and T Stothart will now have to row off for with Herne Bay to decide the championship.
The Men’s Junior Sculls saw Hall, Peach and T Stothart compete. Hall and Peach comfortably qualified for the finals both days with T Stothart only making the final on Day 2. Hall and Peach both started well in the first final fighting with the leading boats up to the turn. Both scullers were dropped on the way home with Hall finishing 3rd and Peach 4th. On Day 2 and in worse conditions Hall came home 4th, Peach 5th and Stothart 7th.
In the age group races the J16 Ladies Quad Sculls crew of Oliver, Spanton, Morgan Evans, E Day coxed by Jo Johnston battled hard to secure second place. Day 2 saw a nasty incident where Oliver was hit in the face and a rigger was bent. Despite being reduced to 3 rowers the Dover youngsters held off the home crew to take 3rd. The J16 Men Quad Sculls of Sebastian Steele, Jasper Mallet, Peach, George Newman coxed by Oliver were competing well for a top two place until a heavy ‘crab’ saw one of the blades jump out of its gate dropping the young crew to 3rd. On Day 2 R. Stothart replaced Steele. A clean row saw the young crew improved to 2nd at the line. Mallet also finished 2nd in a Worthing composite in the J14 Quad race.
The Ladies Double Sculls saw Dover enter 3 crews on Day 1; Johnston / R. Stothart, Maria West-Burrows / Oliver, E Day / Spanton. The Johnston boat had the better start and were in the leading group, whilst West-Burrows and Day boats were a little behind. A good turn had Johnston boat in 4th place and hunting for 3rd but they were unable to improve their position at the line. West-Burrows boat came in 5th place and Day’s 7th. West-Burrows / R. Stothart completed the race on day two in difficult conditions coming home 4th
Men’s Novice Sculls saw Newman progress through his heat showing how much the youngster had improved since coming to the club whilst Mackintosh just missed out. In the final Newman struggled at the turn which saw him drop down to 7th. On Day 2 Newman qualified comfortably whilst Mackintosh also qualified despite a capsize at the turn. Mackintosh got a fantastic start and was leading for the first 500m. After the turn he had dropped back, coming home in 4th place whilst Newman was again 7th.
The Ladies Junior Fours of West-Burrows, B Day, K Day, E Day coxed by Oliver had a good start but were unable to stay with the stronger crews after the turn coming home 5th.
The Ladies Open Sculls saw Johnston cope well in an eventful race to come home 5th on Day 1 and 6th on Day 2. Johnston and West-Burrows competed in the Ladies Senior Pairs coming in 7th.
In the trial event, Men’s Quad, the crew featuring Newman, T Stothart, Cook, Mackintosh coxed by R Stothart finished 3rd.
