MORE THAN 400 rowers from across the UK descended on the River Severn to compete in Stourport Boat Club’s Head of the River race at the weekend.

The tournament is Stourport’s biggest winter tournament and Worcester and Trentham were destined to be strong contenders and fielded a formidable array of crews and notched up six wins each across the divisions.

The morning division over the 4km-course offered racing for all boat types, and it was the Worcester and Threntham clubs proving their dominance followed by a solid performance from local rivals Bewdley with five wins.

The host-club Stourport fared less well, nonetheless winning in the J15 2x, J18 2x and J17 4x classes and showing a strong club Junior performance.

With the temperatures dropping for the afternoon division, it was Grosvenor RC from

Chester also fielded a large number of crews on the day managed to come away with wins in the Women’s IM2 4+ and IM2 8+ classes.

Worcester took the honours in the IM1 8+ class, completing the course in a strong time of 10.38.

“We’re really pleased with the way that the event was well-supported and thankful that the river levels had dropped considerably through the week” said Stourport Boat Club’s chairman Pete Lashford.

Anyone who is interested in getting into the sport of rowing, Stourport run ten week-long learn to row courses, can find out further information by going online and visiting www.stourportbc.co.uk/learn2row.