Rocky rowers in tight tussles

When local rower Matthew Crouch races he likes to test the skills of the timekeeper.

Crouch was a member of the Rockhampton Grammar Seaspray Rowing Club competing at the National Titles last week in Victoria and while outstanding, he also made it tough for with a couple of tight finishes in key events.

Spokesman for the club, Alan Bromiley, said in the semi-final of the under-17 single sculls he thought Crouch had blown his chances of making the final.

Bromiley said the young Rockhampton rower was heading for a comfortable second-place finish when he stopped on the water.

With supporters concerned for Crouch he tried to get underway only to pull up again after a short delay.

These brief stops allowed his closest challenger through into a qualifying spot and led Crouch by a boat length.

However, the Rockhampton boy showed what a gutsy competitor he is by hunting him down with the pair going over the finishing line together.

Enter the timekeeper who separated the pair by naming Crouch to have the faster boat by just 0.001 seconds.

Crouch then went into the final and battled for the bronze medal, collecting the third place by beating home an opponent by just 0.17 seconds.

His efforts in the double sculls, where he was partnered by Nic Belonogoff, was less nerve-wracking as the pair were strong enough to claim the silver medal

Bromiley said all the competitors who made the trip had done well and with all but two of the squad available next year, they’ll benefit from the experience.

The boys battled into the final of the Coxed Fours but were beaten by older and more experienced crews.

In the Girl’s under-17 Coxed Fours the Rockhampton crew was the fourth fastest in the semi-finals. Unfortunately all the fast times were in the one heat and so they were eliminated.

“With their time they would have won the other heat,” Bromiley said.

The young athletes not only gained experience against quality opposition but also the Victorian weather.

Bromiley said the regatta opened in horrendous winds but then later in the week it became hot and humid before torrential rain set in. The final couple of days brought good conditions but late afternoon storms.

The rowers now take a rest before returning to the water to prepare for the Central Queensland Championships which are held in June.