STOURPORT was the host to over 600 rowing crews last weekend as the town’s annual Regatta and Sprint was held along the River Severn.

With over 35 clubs represented from all over the UK including some of the leading elite level London clubs, racing was at the highest competitive level.

Saturday saw 135 races taking place on the 1,100m course, with the highlight undoubtedly belonging to the Stourport men's Novice Coxed Four.

Finding their way through the heats and beating a competitive Worcester crew in the semi-final, Stourport faced local rivals Bewdley in the final.

After both crews finished level, the exhausted boats were sent back to the start line to re-row the race roared on by over 2,000 spectators.

Stourport produced a huge kick for home at the bridge to take the honours of their first win at their home regatta by a foot length on the line.

Top London club Qunitin RC made light work of seeing off clubs from Birmingham, Warwick and Manchester.

Sunday’s sprint course was set to see a rowing battle of the elites, as Stourport’s former Henley Masters Champion Duncan Gwilliam took on the former World Championship silver medalist Julian Scrivener of Upton Rowing Club and defeated his rival by a boat length.

Stourport’s juniors had a successful weekend, with wins in several age categories contributing towards the most wins of any competing clubs.

As the home club are unable to claim the Victor Ludorum for most wins, the honour went to Worcester in the Senior category, Liverpool Victoria for Juniors and Nottingham in the Masters events.

President Pete Lashford said: “Racing has been exceptional, and the visiting clubs have made it a very special weekend for us and the town.”

Bewdley saw victory for the intermediate two coxed four of Dave Bedford, Callum Clifford, Mat Hocking and Aston Carter coxed by Jenny Merchant.

The following day, they won again in the higher category of Intermediate one. Bewdley’s sole junior win came from Sam Clifford in the J16 single scull on Saturday.

Sunday’s only other pots for Bewdley were awarded to the Masters B women’s double of Louise Camm and Serena Gammond.