The fourth leg of the Southwest Coastal League (SWCRL) was held in the English Riviera town of Torquay.
In what were calm waters, the clubs in action were hosts Torquay Rowing Club (TQ), Exmouth Rowing Club (ERC), Mayflower Offshore Rowing Club (MORC) of Plymouth and Teign Scullers (TS) of Teignmouth.
The first of the day’s action was the ladies 8km race on a course that saw the boats start fro Torquay Harbour, race out to Thatcher Rock and the on to a pair of buoys before heading back to the finish line at the harbour.
ERC (A) and MORC (A) made flying starts and were involved in a quite a battle out to Thatcher Rock; unbeknown to the rowers, they were following a small pod of porpoises leaving Torbay!
As the crews rounded Thatcher Rock, ERC(A) pulled away to hold a comfortable lead. MORC(A), in a valiant effort, increased their stroke-rate to close the gap, but the Exmouth crew were not to be denied and they crossed the line in 39:12 with MORC (A) second in a time of 39:35 and third were TS (A) in 41:08.
Next out were the men’s 8km crews and again, it was ERC (A) and MORC (A) that both made lightning quick starts!
However, the numerous crab-pot buoys on the ERC (A) race line resulted in them needing to take evasive action and MORC (A) took full advantage, ultimately winning the race in a time of 36:19 with ERC (A) second in 37:01 and TS (A) third in 39:01.
When the Masters (50-years-of-age plus crews) took to their boats, spectator’s numbers had increased significantly, lining the harbour walls to offer support.
Racing over a 6km course it proved to be another well contested race which ended with ERC (A) claiming their first Masters success of the season, crossing the finishing line in a time of 28:25.
The battle for the minor places was close with TS (A) taking second, finishing just eight seconds ahead of MORC (A).
The final race of the day was the 6km mixed and this ended with TS (A) taking first place in a time of 25:57 with MORC (A) second in 26:17 and ERC (A) having to settle for third place in a time of 26:44.
The overall days racing honours and with the Regatta Trophy, went to Exmouth.
In terms of the current standings in the South West Coastal Rowing League at what is the halfway stage of the campaign; In the ladies events, ERC (A) and TS (A) share top spot with 20 points while third are MORC (A) on 16.
In the men’s category it’s a three-way tie currently with ERC (A), MORC (A) and TS (A) all having 20 points.
In the Masters section it is TS (A), who lead with 23 points from MORC (A), with 19 and ERC (A) sit third with 15.
In the mixed category it is TS (A) who lead with 22 points, two more than MORC (A) who in turn are three points better off than ERC (A).
The SWCRL now takes a summer break with the next round starting in Teignmouth on September 15, and it promises to be an exciting second half of the season.
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