There was plenty for Shanklin Sandown Rowing Club to cheer about this weekend as the first Hants and Dorset Championship to be sealed this season came the clubs way, with Daisy Faithfull taking her Ladies Junior Sculls title to headline an excellent day for the club.
Daisy went in to the regatta with a 5-0 advantage in the championship standings - remaining unbeaten would see her lead stretch to an unassailable 6-0 thus confirming the championship. With a victory in her heat giving the Shanklin sculler a spot in the all Isle of Wight final, Daisy lined up against Ryde and Newport rowers on the three lane course. In a close race to the turns it was the sculler from Ryde looking to spoil the party. However with a much straighter course on the return leg Daisy was able to stretch out a lead and take a three length victory and securing Shanklin a championship for the fourth consecutive year.
In the Mens Senior Sculls, Joe Evans Murry drew the short straw as he was placed in the heat of the current championship leader James Foad. Despite Joe's best efforts he was unable to overcome the Olympic bronze medallist and qualify for a final that, had he be drawn in another heat, he'd have stood a very good chance of qualifying for.
In the division below, Harry Miselbach had more luck in his Mens Junior Sculls heat, qualifying for final with ease. In the final Harry was once again unable to contend with the speed of Ryde sculler Dale Buckett and had to settle once again for third place.
Harry once again doubled up on the day to race the Mens Junior Fours. Joining him were Henry Mudge, Jamie Gamble, Matt Miselbach and Emily Faithfull (cox). In their heat they put up a strong fight and had a close race with BTC which they ultimately lost. However, there was salvation in qualifying for the semi finals as fastest losers. In the semi final they once again lined up against Bournemouth. Despite challenging the Dorset based crew to the turn and making it a close race, the boys were unable to overhaul the Bournemouth boat.
The Ladies Junior Pair rounded off the day with an eventful race. A collision with home club Coalporters off the start had Shanklin supporters worried only for the officials to agree the race should be restarted. After the restart the Shanklin duo of Daisy and Emily Faithfull were able to once again put their stamp on proceedings early on. Despite being once again challenged by a strong Poole crew, it was the Shanklin pair that were able to take another valuable championship point.
