MEMBERS of Deal Rowing Club made a flying start to the Coast Amateur Rowing Association season with six wins in the regattas at Worthing and Brighton.

It meant that Deal are making the early running with Bexhill in the club championship, both clubs having six points.

The conditions were hot and sunny at Worthing and virtually the exact opposite at Brighton 24 hours later.

Deal's first win at Worthing came in the Junior Fours where Luke Armstrong, James Hockless, Ben Smissen, Matt Emmerson and cox Sammy Moore powered to a ten-length victory over Shoreham. The crew repeated the performance at Brighton later to give them a 2-0 lead in the series.

Deal were also dominant in the Junior Ladies’ Fours. Sarah Beavers, Alice Creed, Abigail Perkins, Emma Battersea and cox Adele Taylor also won by an easy margin on both days over Shoreham.

The Senior Ladies’ Pair of Sam Card and Sharon Mullaney made a successful return to CARA action. They won easily on both days and will be pleased with their series lead.

In the Junior Senior Fours, Paul Jackson, Tom Glinn, James Morton and Danny Carr finished second behind Folkestone at Worthing. Matt Emmerson replaced Carr to repeat the result at Brighton.

But there was a nasty shock for the fancied Deal crews in the Junior Pairs, where Shoreham came home first on both days. Deal had to settle for second and third on the Saturday, and second on the Sunday.

Controversy, meanwhile, surrounded the Senior Fours races on both days. At Worthing, Deal led the first heat but were disqualified after being adjudged to have missed their turn.

At Brighton, Jason Morgan, Kirk Bell, Justin Dodrill, James Morgan and cox Adele Taylor won their heat to progress to the final.

Deal found themselves slightly ahead of Saturday's winners Hastings in the final, but at the turns Herne Bay cut across the course and impeded Deal. The umpires made no decision and Hastings went on to deadheat for first place with Herne Bay. Hastings then won the re-row.

In the Senior Ladies’ Fours, Deal could not put out a club crew on the Saturday. At Brighton, Adele Taylor, Jane Shorter, Sam Card, Sharon Mullaney and cox Moore rowed well to finish in the places coming third.

Deal were pleased with the performances of their Novice Fours. The Junior Ladies’ winners finished third at Worthing, while Charlie Creed, Jack Humphreys, Adam Wallace, Sammy Moore and cox Luke Armstrong finished fifth.

At Brighton, where they rowed as an invitation crew wih a Folkestone oarsman, the crew rowed superbly to finish third.

* The club are always looking for new members. New rowers and novices are encouraged to come to the club on Monday evenings at 6pm.