CREWS from Chester competed against rivals from across the North West of England on Saturday at one of the city’s most historic sporting events.

The Chester Regatta, held on the River Dee since 1733, featured 14 clubs racing in 34 different sections.

Rowers of all ages competed for pewter tankards or Chester Regatta medals, which were handed out at the afternoon’s prize-giving ceremony by Lord Mayor of Chester Eleanor Johnson, Chester MP Stephen Mosley and the regatta’s sponsors.

Two Chester schools – King’s and Queen’s Park High – enjoyed plenty of success.

William Marshall, 17, a pupil of The King’s School, defeated scullers from the region to be crowned Champion of the Dee, winning the J18 single sculls event. Normally the title goes to the winner of the elite single sculls, but that event was not held this year.

King’s boated an eight in the only women’s eights race at the regatta, beating Liverpool University to lift the Dee Challenge Cup.

For Queen’s Park High, first places were achieved by Joel Langmead in the J16 single sculls; Leon Langmead and Chris McCartney in the J15 double sculls; Lucy Clegg and Rachel Tompkins in the WJ16 double sculls; Amy Williamson and Meera Baker in the WJ13ŠŠdouble sculls; and Joel Langmead, Ben Archer, Struan Fishburn and James McDermott in the J16 coxless quad.

The women’s novice coxed quad sculls saw Queen’s Park crew – Hannah Fishburn, Leah Parker-Turnock, Louise Tomkins, Emma Sutherland and cox Rachel Tomkins – lead from the start and beat Grosvenor RC by three lengths.

Undeterred by the changeable conditions, the winning crew competed in colourful summer outfits and sunglasses!

Grosvenor won the Northgate Brewery Challenge Cup in the masters F quadruple sculls, defeating Hollingworth Lake RC in a close finish, while Alex Bain (Royal Chester RC) triumphed in the J16 single sculls Division Two event.

Royal Chester also won the women’s J16 quad sculls, beating King’s School by four lengths.

There was an exciting finish in the masters G/I double sculls as John Davies, chairman of the Chester Regatta committee, competed for Royal Chester but was beaten by a canvas by Runcorn RC.

The Victor Ludorum prize went to Runcorn RC, with Trentham BC claiming the Junior Victor Ludorum award.

One of the umpires at the regatta was Ian Fisher, a British FISA official at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

A full list of winners can be found at www.chesterregatta.org.