Hexham Rowing Club were out in force on Saturday at Newburn for Tyne Rowing Club’s Tyne Head. The conditions were lovely whilst boating – flat water, mild temperature, no wind and a high tide that was on the turn. There were a few rollers at the starting area below Scotswood Bridge which came as a surprise as the upstream breeze met the outgoing tide and stream, but the race conditions proved favourable and we had a super time.
We had six crews in division one, the junior boys came home first in the Op J16 4x- as did the women’s masters crew in somewhat of a local derby against good friends Durham and Berwick crews. Two junior girls crews ‘rowed up’ in the W.2x coming in first and second. After a long time out of their double, our masters men had a solid row in the Op MasE/G/I 2x and our junior girls had a good outing in the W.J16 2x. Two of our members also joined forces with local crew mates to win the Op MasE/F/G 8+.
Division two saw seven Hexham crews take to the water, the junior girls ‘rowed up’ in the W4x-, coming second to a strong Durham University crew, our masters women raced in the W4+ and also came second to Durham University. The junior boys came 1st and 3rd in the Op J16 2x. We had two junior girls W J15 4x+ crews out, one coming second to Leeds RC by under 10 seconds and the other putting in a strong performance right to the end as they were cheered over the finish line. Our masters open boat was in a strongly contested Op.MasC-H 4x- category, but did a super job gaining race and steering experience.
Well done to all the crews who entered, thanks to our spectators who came to cheer us on and our two trailer drivers and thanks to Jacob Williams for the photos.
