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Two trophies for Hexham rowers
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By Jane Upstill-Goddard
Two weekends ago Hexham rowers were afforded the rare opportunity to race in not one but two long distance events on the River Tees, one before and the other after lunch. The morning started off cool with squally gusts but fortunately the weather did not deteriorate further, as it did at Tyne the previous week. By the afternoon the conditions, not unlike those choosing to participate in both events, were almost balmy.
The morning event was the fifth in the long distance sculling series. Some 152 crews competed over the 5500 metre course, but because of the position of the finishing line they were all required to row 6500 metres upstream to the start. Hexham won two trophies; John Mulholland won his veteran single event, which is becoming something of a habit, as did George Doody. This was a pleasant surprise for George following his protracted argument with Elvet Bridge two weeks previously at Durham. Junior and veteran mixed quads also entered the morning event. This time the J16 crew included three girls. Claire Le Tissier was rowing in her first long distance event and joined Laura Furniss and Rosie and James Upstill-Goddard. Both crews relied on the skill and judgement of their coxes to encourage and steer them around a somewhat tortuous course to the finish. Finding souls willing to take on such a task is not always easy. Sitting in a cramped space for long periods in the drizzle and wind is rather unappealing. The Hexham crews were therefore grateful to club coach Bob Manning who, unable to row himself, expertly coxed the confident juniors. By contrast the veteran crew (Laura Read, Martin Le Tissier and Jane and Rob Upstill-Goddard) were seeking excuses even before the event had started. Their heavy wooden training boat was always going to be a disadvantage, even before cox Maurice Searle arrived complete with ski hat and snow goggles. Confused? The crew came in a minute behind their closest (male) rivals and were so wet that a complete change of clothing was required.
Paul Jaconelli and Simon Aitkenhead achieved the best club time coming in 21st, and beating club mates David Brown and Mark Christer, before going on to further improve on their time in the afternoon. Meanwhile Lucy Siddle, Sarah Furniss and Gillian Gilbert rowed in singles, with Siddle securing the fastest time of the three.
The afternoon event saw 103 crews competing in both sculling and rowing. Captain Mulholland rowed in a four with colleagues from Tyne rowing club, achieving a creditable eighth position overall, whilst Sam Doody entered in a single and was placed 49th overall. Hexham also entered a Ladies novice quad (Jasmine Black, Read, Gilbert and Upstill-Goddard) and a “scratch” mens novice four (Doody, Le Tissier, Quentin Campbell and Neil Wilkinson). The latter were up against stiff competition from several college crews, most of whom seemed able to fit in a full days training routine prior to the race. With this in mind the Hexham crew achieved a respectable time, even managing to beat one college crew by almost a minute. Overall it was a successful day by recent Hexham standards, no one fell in the river and two trophies were secured, fuelling speculation about the next long distance event at South Hylton the following week.
Previously published by Hexham Courant
01 Nov 2003
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