A Helsby High School duo are celebrating after becoming the J14 Double Sculls British National Junior Rowing Champions.
George Houghton and Kevin Dudley, who row for Runcorn Rowing Club, had to earn a semi-final place by finishing as a top 12 crew through an elimination time trial at the National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham.
Having achieved this, they then successfully navigated an extremely competitive semi-final to earn their place in the final on Sunday afternoon.
In a thrilling race, Dulwich College and City of Oxford RC led at different stages but Runcorn surged ahead in the final 250m of the 2km event, triumphing by less than 0.1s.
Confirmation of the result was greeted with much cheer and celebration from Runcorn RC travelling club members and competitors.
GROSVENOR Rowing Club’s novice women came up trumps again at Bewdley regatta on the river Severn.
Bewdley has been a happy hunting ground for Grosvenor crews over the years and the novice women’s coxed four of Grace Price, Katie Tilston, Sarah Loan and Jenna Foley, coxed by Ceri Bairstow, won through to the novice final on Saturday, only to fall at the final hurdle with a steering problem.
On Sunday they put this right, winning their final by just 4ft.
Their delighted coach, Mike Hughes, said: “I’m so proud of the girls. The race was nip and tuck all the way but my crew had just enough fitness in reserve to make one final push for the line and the boat just surged ahead.”
Grosvenor also had crews racing from the Masters Squad.
Mike Hughes and Pete Abbott raced in a double, while Maria Labedska and Janet Vorberg both raced singles
