BRIDPORT men’s A crew finished 14th at the County Championships in Newquay to become the west Dorset gig club’s highest-placed boat ever.

The club put forward an A and a B crew, who were drawn in different heats for the first race on the Saturday morning.

Sea conditions were good and the visibility was clear, making for fast racing around the two buoy turn course.

Crews race in unknown boats, drawn from a hat shortly before the event begins, giving the added pressure of rowing in a boat the crew is unfamiliar with.

The A crew had a brilliant race and finished in very close third place in their first heat, but with a very good time and still with a chance of going through to the next round.

The B crew also had a strong race but did not proceed into the next round.

The A crew then raced again to secure themselves a place racing on the second day of the championships.

After a restful night, the crew put in another strong performance in the quarter-finals and were eight seconds from qualifying for the semi-final, and therefore finishing 14th overall.

This resulted in the A crew becoming the most successful Jurassic team at the event this year.

This crew were only put together this season, and have been training hard on and off the water to achieve brilliant results.

Four of the crew had not raced before this season.

Men’s captain Kevin Batchelor said: “It is particularly pleasing as these rowers came up through last summer’s development squad.

“They will now begin winter training, working on technique, fitness and strength in preparation for the World Championships next spring.”

Batchelor had large amounts of praise for the men’s squad, which also included Joel Parkes, Tom Woodhouse, Ashley Raison, Sam Rowland-Simms, Luke Larder and cox Jason Matthews.

He added: “This brings to an end a very successful season for the men’s squad, which has grown in strength and size as the season has progressed.

“With success winning at Bridport and Sidmouth regattas and finishing joint seventh with Falmouth in the Tribute League, where points are awarded for each race entered at regattas throughout the season."

Bridport Gig Club are having a fundraising event on Sunday in the Salthouse, West Bay (adults £6, primary school children £3).

For more information about the club, email rowingsecretary@bridportgigclub.org or visit bridportgigclub.org