LYME Regis Gig Club’s junior division took their opportunity to shine in the annual CPGA Under-14s Championships in Hayle, Cornwall, taking one podium and another top-10 finish.

Lyme’s A crew delivered a superb performance to take third, while the B crew rowed well to claim ninth.

The event is gig rowing’s main race for under-14s, held on Copperhouse Pool using a straight line one-kilometre course.

This was the second year Lyme attended the established annual event following the sixth place they gained in 2017.

Racing entailed knockout rounds of three boats racing in each heat with a total 36 crews taking part.

Both Lyme crews won their respective first round races comfortably, showing a very high level of rowing technique, garnering compliments from many in the crowd.

Into round two, and again Lyme’s crews left the opposition behind in their wake winning both races.

Sadly, due to the B crew being classed as a composite crew – two of their rowers were also in the A crew – they could progress no further, despite finishing the day as the ninth fastest crew overall.

The third round saw the A crew once again cruise through in first place in their heat and were now into the semi-finals along with Cadgwith, Rame, Fowey, Pendeen and Bude.

Lyme got off the line in second place, fighting with the all-boy crew from Fowey for the lead.

They drew level for a while but could not pass the powerful Cornish crew and came in a fine second. However, their fast time was just enough to qualify for the final of three boats.

In the final, Lyme battled hard from the start and were in second place at the halfway point.

They stayed neck and neck for second, with Fowey now racing away for victory by four lengths.

Lyme crossed the line for a photo finish with Cadgwith – the Cornish club just getting the nod from the umpire – but achieved the best-ever result by a Dorset club.

This result adds to Lyme’s continued success this season.

Top three championship spots have been achieved by the men’s supervets, men’s vets and now the under-14s.

Next up the adult crews travel to Rame in Cornwall to take on the best of gig rowers before the Lyme Regis Regatta on Sunday, August 11 held on the Cobb.