BRIDPORT Gig Rowing Club have performed exceptionally over the racing season to become overall winners of the newly established and highly competitive Jurassic League.

This new regional league was created by Langstone Cutters Gig Club members and the Jurassic regional rowing committee this year to heighten competition between clubs across Devon, Dorset and Hampshire.

The league is sponsored by AEP Ltd, the leading compressed air specialist based in Honiton and Ringwood.

Six regattas hosted by competing clubs took place across the season, with results being released after each regatta.

Fierce competition across the season lead to points being extremely close as the league neared its end.

After the Lyme Regis regatta just one point separated the top two clubs Bridport and Weymouth.

The five other categories were still undecided.

Everything was to play for at Sidmouth regatta, which would round off the league and the winners would be crowned. Unfortunately due to unfavourable weather conditions the event was cancelled.

Results were therefore taken from the previous week at Lyme Regis Regatta.

The combined results led to an overall first, second and third placings ofBridport (63 points), Weymouth (64 points) and Langstone (75 points) respectively.

Bridport achieved wins in the men’s A, ladies' A and junior categories and finished second in the ladies' B.

Langstone won the men’s B and Weymouth claimed the ladies' B category.

A club spokesman said: "Bridport would like to thank all those involved for their hard work organising and running this very successful league.

"The club looks forward to competing in it again next year."

Bridport men's and ladies squads are now in training for the Newquay County Championships held in September.

If you would like to get involved in gig rowing, squad or general, visit the website bridportgigclub.org