Pompey Grand triumph for Bexhill

The Portsmouth Grand Challenge Cup, or Pompey Grand as it is affectionately known, is a trophy contested by the top crews from the Hants & Dorset Amateur Rowing Association and the Coast Amateur Rowing Association (Kent and Sussex).

It also gives a good indication as to who the favourites will be in the season-ending South Coast Championship ‘Bideford Bowl’ race at Swanage during September.

The Bexhill crew of Matt Hellier, Mark Mitchell, Kieran Cahill and Doug Holdaway with their cox Rachel Holdaway were delighted with their stylish win. It’s the first time that Bexhill stalwart Mitchell has won this race.

Bexhill took a second win in the men’s senior pairs via Mitchell and Kieran Cahill. They were followed in third by clubmates Phil McCorry and Greg Anderson.

Martin Matt took a fabulous second in the novice sculls. There was another second for Mitchell in the men’s senior sculls with a commendable third for Ashley Cahill.

The ladies’ senior four of Emma Young, Claire Cahill, Anabelle Laity and Rachel Holdaway put in a magnificent row to take a deserved second place. The men’s vet 40+ crew came third, with the over-50s finishing fourth.

The ladies’ u16 quad rowed well to finish third overall, while Bexhill crews took fourth and sixth in the ladies’ senior pairs and men’s junior sculls.

The ladies’ and men’s novice fours took a point each, and there was another point for the men’s senior four B crew. Two points were taken in the men’s junior fours.