Two Wins for Ross Rowing Club at the British Rowing Masters Championships
Last weekend Ross Rowing Club took 2 of its Masters (Veteran) crews to National water sports centre (Holme Piere Point ) in Nottingham to attend the British Rowing Masters Championships. They were joined by a Ross/Gloucester composite crew comprising Phil Palmer and Howard Copping of Ross and Brian Nelson and Phil Cheeseman who have a combined age of 300 years making them the oldest crew in the event! This is one of the premiere veterans events of the season and brings together the cream of British masters rowing in the UK, with 539 entries making up over 60 events.
In Masters B (average age 36–43) Ross achieved Silver medal again in a repeat of last year’s Veteran’s National championships. Nottingham and Union Club proved the strongest crew once more, pushing the Ross four into second place by 5 seconds. Ross held off a strong challenge from one of two Warwick crews to finish second. The other crews in the final were Tyrian Club from London and X-Press from Cambridge. The crew and coach, Malcolm Pobjoy, felt they fully rowed to their potential, so cannot be too disappointed not to claim a gold medal. In masters D (average age 50-55) This crew, also coached by Malcolm, led for half of their final to be eventually overhauled by strong local rivals from Hereford, achieving a Silver medal – the crew’s first medal at the National Championships. They were, however, exceptionally pleased to beat their nemesis of last year, Crabtree Rowing Club, made up of ex Cambridge blues. The remaining crews of York, Royal Chester and Nottingham were soundly beaten. The Ross crew has come on leaps and bounds in the two few years they have been rowing together and are justifiably proud of themselves.
Last on the water were the Master I composite crew in a Quad to compete against a younger composite crew from Nottingham. By now the weather had changed from warm sunshine to cold and very wet. Sadly in the atrocious conditions, they failed to obtain the third set of medals of the day.
After their race the Masters D crews from Ross and Hereford warmly congratulated each other after the race, feeling proud to represent rowing on the Wye to such a high standard. Indeed Hereford had a second gold and a silver, while Monmouth won 4 golds, 3 silvers and the Victor Ludorum for the most successful club, so Ross are delighted to contribute to an excellent local medal haul.
Overall it was the most successful day for Ross Rowing Club at a National Masters event with two teams bringing back medals and much of credit goes to the crews’ coach, Malcolm Pobjoy. Next stop Henley Veterans when both Ross crews hope to go one place better.
