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GEMMA STAYS COOL FOR VICTORIES
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By Unknown
AFTER success at Durham last week, Hexham Rowing Club set off for Berwick on Saturday to try and plunder a few more trophies from the borders.
This time the Berwick Regatta was set several miles inland in idyllic surroundings on the Tweed, so rowers did not have to cope with the choppy water, bridges and seaweed which have caused so many problems in the past at the mouth of the river.
Most crew members Hexham entered had gained some experience of regatta racing over the last few months, but for 10-year-old Gemma Mills who was coxing it was a new experience.
Gemma has frequently coxed in training runs and has been in several heads races.
Regatta racing though is fast and furious with crews starting together and battling it out side by side to see who can cross the line first.
The cox needs to steer a line in the best water and not be intimidated by the opposition’s boat, while encouraging the crew and calling for a push at the vital moment.
So Gemma took on coxing the senior men’s boat who had entered Senior Four fours (rowing) and Senior Three Quad (sculling) competitions.
Gemma’s first race with the crew of Neil Wilkinson, David Brown, George Doody and Paul Jaconeli was a heat of the Senior Three Quads where Hexham were up against Tees.
Nerves soon evaporated after the first few strokes and Gemma got used to the course and the water with the men making a win by several lengths to go through to the final.
The final of the Senior Four fours race was against another Tees crew who provided stronger competition but Hexham still won by about a length and Gemma had bagged her first winners tankard of the day.
The final of the Senior Three Quads was always going to be tough as Hexham were racing a Tyne crew of higher status.
Hexham gained a slight lead off the start though with Gemma shouting for 20 firm strokes.
This lead was whittled down by half way as Tyne lengthened their strokes and then just inched ahead.
Staying cool, Gemma kept her course and with about 200m to go called a final, planned, push from the crew.
Hexham gradually regained the lead and won by half a length to give Gemma and the crew the second win and trophy of the day.
Previously published by Hexham Courant
24 Jun 2005
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