Rowing Club racers' 100k land marathon

The event was in response to Bexhill Lions' 300 donation to the club, and aimed at raising the remaining 600 desperately required for a set of rowing blades that will enable more rowers to take to the water throughout the year.

Team 1 comprised Chris and Steve Doswell, Andy Bickers, Jo Cripps, Rebecca Dawes, Dave Jones and Ashley Cahill, who were joined later by Keiran Cahill, Holly Shoesmith, Nick Wallger and Phil McCorry.

Team 2 consisted of Matt and Mark Mitchell, Paul and Graham Dawes, Ray Philips, Rachael Cripps, Nick McCorry, Georgina Washington and Jemma Cropper.

The advantage was with Team 2 for the first four hours as they had an extra man, which gave them a 500m lead at 60,000m gone.

However, with the new arrivals to team 1 appearing with just over an hour to go, the deficit was reduced to 160m.

Team 2 were forced to put in a massive push at this stage as they unexpectedly lost one of their key members.

It was neck and neck with team 2 gaining a 260m lead with only 5000m to go. Team 1 pulled out all the stops to get within striking distance of Team 2, but it was all to no avail as Team 2 finished in 6 hours, 2 mins and 12 seconds, just 13 seconds in front of their rivals.

The club will be racing at Shoreham this Saturday and Hastings on Sunday.

The new Bexhill Regatta date is set for July 13, with further details to follow.

Anyone interested in rowing is always welcome to come down to the clubhouse in front of the De La Warr Pavilion on Sunday mornings from 10.30am andTuesdays & Thursdays from 6pm.