GLORIOUS early spring weather spurred on rowers at the North of England Head of the River race on the Dee.
More than 135 crews from all over the North of England raced over the 5,000m course from Eccleston Ferry to the Groves on Saturday, with local clubs picking up many of the status medals.
The morning division saw the Royal Chester women’s first eight take the women’s IM2 medals in storming fashion.
They were also awarded tankards as the fastest women’s eight on the day – the first time in the 77 years of the event that a Royal Chester women’s eight has taken the prize.
Grosvenor RC collected the masters D medals and Queen’s Park High School the junior 17 quad scull.
The King’s School won women’s novice and women’s junior 18 eights and REX Boat Club the masters D Novice eight.
The high midday tide made for a later-than-usual start to the afternoon division, but contributed to a faster stream.
The first eights from both Royal Chester and Grosvenor showed good form.
The Royals IM1 8 came third overall followed by Grosvenor in fourth place and winners of the senior eight medals. Outright winners for a second year running were the in-form Shrewsbury School IM2 eight, with Durham University IM1 eight in second place.
The King’s School continued to build on their successes in Division one with eights wins at junior 14, junior 15, junior 16 and also women’s junior 15 octuple.
The Royal Chester junior development eight overwhelmed opposition from Yarm School to pick up the junior 17 medals, a huge leap forward for a young squad.
