Newport clinch first ever Fours Championship

A thrilling season finale unfolded at Newport Regatta on Saturday 9th August. The regatta took place over the 1450m straight course on the River Medina, in perfect rowing conditions.   With the home club's Junior status Fours level at four wins each with Southampton, a tight race between these crews was expected.  The Newport crew had been looking forward to a good season, after wins in the winter time trial races, but early season sinkings at Shanklin and Southsea Regattas had put them on the back foot, trailing Southampton by 3-1, with 5 races to go. Three consecutive wins by Newport then put the pressure back on Southampton, who responded magnificently at Itchen Regatta the previous week, with a win to set up the title decider at Newport.  Southampton were keen to give themselves every chance of the win, with their bow man flying home early from holiday just for this race.  

Both crews progressed through the semi finals comfortably.  In the final Newport went hard off the start, taking half a length out of Southampton in the first 100 metres.  By half way they had a length's lead, and a further push saw them pull away further.  Southampton then pushed hard for the finish and closed the gap giving everything they had to catch Newport.  But Newport retained their composure and rhythm and finished with a two length, history making, win.  This was Newport's first ever Hants & Dorset Amateur Rowing Association Championship win in the four man category.    The squad of Boris Hare, Connor Garner, Jake Garner, Eric Williams and Nathaniel Hamilton, coxed in every race by Mariana Hare, and coached by Nick Salter have now won the right to represent Hants & Dorset region at the South Coast Championship in Plymouth on 6th September.