Watson and Ryde crush French crews

All four Maidenhead Rowing Club juniors who competed in the GB-France J16 match in Cardiff Bay on Sunday returned home with winners medals hanging from their necks.

Gabby Watson and Kate Ryde competed in the junior womens doubles sculls for GB raced over the full 1,500m course.

The Maidenhead crew fell behind but then sculled strongly to row past both the French J16 and the French Talent ID crews.

But at the finish line they had carved open a healthy two and a half length lead.

Jack Beaumont and Tim Wallis-Caddell raced in the GB eight held over a reduced course of 750m due to the choppy conditions. 

In a tight race against a strong French crew, GB managed to stay ahead with a half a length lead at the line.

This was probably GB’s best ever result against the French, winning the majority of races to take both the boys and girls team prizes.

It is only the fourth time in 29 years that GB have won the overall match.