BRIDPORT Gig Rowing Club ladies and junior squads achieved some great results at the Newquay County Championships.

The second largest event in the gig rowing calendar.

The ladies' event spanned two days and is followed in two weeks’ time by the men’s competition.

The juniors achieved their best ever results reaching the final, and personal bests for the ladies B, C and D crews made the weekend very successful.

Weather conditions were calm and sunny on the Saturday, and the first heats started early.

Bridport entered four ladies crews – a first for the club at this event.

Crews race in borrowed boats around a two stroke-side turn triangular course in Newquay bay.

This is a timed knockout competition. The top two crews (out of six) in each heat proceed automatically to the next round including the 16 fastest losers.

The format is two rounds, followed by a quarter-final, semi-final and a final across the two days.

The ladies' A and B crews got through to round two, while the C and D crews both achieved admirable times in round

one.

The ladies' A crew rowed another strong race in round two, but were unfortunately disqualified.

The ladies' B crew finished 36th overall missing out on a round three place.

The D crew finished 67th while the C crew achieved 70th out of 91 finishing.

Caradon ladies A took home the trophy.

The juniors raced on the Sunday, rescheduled from when the event was postponed in August due to weather conditions.

They raced in driving rain throughout the day. Battling the harsh conditions, Bridport juniors put on a brilliant performance to proceed to the final after three tough races.

Two of the juniors had also raced the day before in the ladies' competition.

This is the first time a Bridport junior crew has reached the final at the county championships.

Racing the best crews in the south west, and over the full adult course, the only Dorset crew in the final used up the last of their reserves to put in another fast time.

The team finished sixth overall, with Caradon A juniors taking first place. Portland juniors achieved ninth position.

The junior crew are all very proud of their achievements, as is their cox Kevin Batchelor, who has trained and coxed the junior crew for more than four years.

The team received medals at the presentation where they were congratulated for their impressive form.

If you would like to get involved visit the website bridportgigclub.org