AN unusually warm and sunny day greeted Berwick rowers who made their way to the Tyne at Newburn for the latest round of the Long Distance sculling series.
Rowing the 5000 metre course from Scotswood to Newburn, the first boat up the Tyne for Berwick was ladies senior double Alison Inglis and Hilary Cairns. The ladies were quite determined to make up for their narrow defeat on the Tees.
Alison an
d Hilary pressured their Durham opponents right from the start sculling confidently and strongly. By half way the Berwick ladies passed their Durham opponents. Alison and Hilary sculled on strongly to win in 18 mins 18 sec 30 seconds ahead of the next ladies double scull. Sam Seaton teamed up with Ian Smith in a mixed Vet double. The pair put in a creditable performance in their first race together.
Harry Black made an impressive return to form in Vet D single sculls. Using his experience and knowledge of the Tyne course Harry took the win by 18 seconds over scullers from Talkin Tarn, Tees and club mate Robin Morrison.
Alan Robertson competing in his first single sculling race for 20 years showed that he still has what it takes to win the Vet G single category. Rob Harvey and Jamie Martin also competed in single sculls and posted good times for their first experience over the Tyne course.
Newly formed Club Tyne United ran a Small Boat Head of the river over the same 5000 metre course but with scullers this time having to row against the strength of the out going tide.
All the Berwick members were taking part in their second race of the day and found their fitness was tested. Berwick ladies Alison Inglis, Sam Seaton and Hilary Cairns teamed up with Cambois sculler Sarah Wright in quad sculls. The ladies were delighted to take the win as fastest female boat by 2.5 seconds. Ian Smith and Harry Black and David Cairns and Rob Harvey contested Vet D and B double sculls with both crews being pleased with their race. Young Jamie Martin rose to the challenge of racing a single scull twice in one day, a feat which no other Berwick sculler was prepared to take on. Jamie sculled well in the difficult fast moving tide to complete the course for a second time.
Berwick scullers would like to thank Lloyd Ltd for the use of a vehicle to pull the boat trailer. The final round of the sculling series takes place on Saturday, November 7 at Wansbeck.
