Bickers celebrates belated win

The Bexhill Rowing Club veteran competitor won the race that has eluded him throughout his sporting career in the third round of the coastal rowing season on Saturday.

An unforced error by current championship leader Matt Mitchell let the rest of the field get clear at the start. Mitchell eventually fought his way back to fourth, with brothers Chris and Steve Doswell finishing second and sixth, but the glory was Bickers', as he rowed faultlessly to lead from start to finish.

Bexhill's veteran four of Dave Jones, Steve Bickers, Steve Hopkins and Glen Paine notched up another win, beating a composite crew of Worthing and Southsea.

The final row of the day saw Dave Jones and Keiran Cahill row well to win the double sculls.

Bexhill celebrated more satisfying results the following day at Hastings.

Keiran Cahill won the novice sculls event by half a length over the Dover crew, Jemma Cropper claimed the cox of the day award for her evasive manouevring in the veterans race and Matt Mitchell triumphed in the junior sculls.