ROWING: Six crews from Stourport Boat Club took the chance to jump back into competition at the weekend in the first races of 2002.

Opportunities have been limited recently with the River Severn being in flood for most of the winter which meant rowing only returned to the local stretch last month.

The Stourport members took on Gloucester Rowing Club's Head of the River with varying degrees of success.

In their debut event under rules, the morning division saw the Novice Four of Paul Newman, Graham Wiggins, Ian Leach and Matt Lashford, coxed by Darren Felton, up against the largest field of the day.

They finished sixth fastest of eight crews in 17 minutes and 58 seconds which was just over a minute from winners University of Warwick.

It was an encouraging result as most of the crew were competing in The Works Fours Regatta only last year.

With no lightweight events offered, the established Women's Double Scull of Debbie Taylor and Jacqui Whorton raced club-mates Netty Kirk and Lucy Handley in the Women's Senior II event.

Stourport crews sculled well against the form crew from Avon County who eventually covered the four-and-a-half kilometre course in 17-45.

Taylor and Whorton were second in 18-19 followed by the other Stourport double 34 seconds later.

Also representing Stourport was the Men's Double Scull of Richard Lloyd and Tom Edwards.

Racing a crew from Gloucester for the Veteran D title, the Stourport double easily won in 18-20, over two minutes ahead of their opponents.

Don Taylor, in the Veteran B Single Scull, completed the course in 18-04 with no competition though the time would have seen him take the Senior I event with ease.

With the weather conditions worsening, the Men's Senior II Four of Jez Stubbs, Chris Bird, Chris Morson and Kevin Stack, coxed by Carol Hough, raced in the afternoon division.

Competing against Monmouth, Stourport's performance was respectable as they finished just 10 seconds behind their opponents in 17-09.

Stourport crews will next be travelling to Northwich to compete in their Spring Head on Monday, April 1.