BOURNEMOUTH gained an early lead in the Hants & Dorset Amateur Rowing Association Junior-Senior Championship following wins at the Coalporters and Milford-on-Sea regattas.

The crew of Dom Bihari, Tom Cave, Dom Brancaleone, Nathan Prowles and cox Rees Gellender put in an impressive performance to beat Poole and Lymington to secure their first championship point at Coalporters.

And under the watchful eye of coach Alvin Ranson, they took a commanding lead over Poole and Lymington as they approached their buoy turn at Milford.

However, the turning tide had shifted their buoy to more than three lengths further than the others, meaning they lost their lead and came out of the turn behind both crews.

With a lot of ground to make up, they dug in and managed to close the gap and pass leaders Poole to win the race by a canvas.

Bournemouth will be looking to extend their championship lead at Christchurch Regatta on Saturday.