BRIDPORT Gig Rowing Club secured overall third at the Weymouth Regatta as the junior team celebrated their first win of the season.

Kevin Batchelor, captain of the youth and men’s teams, praised the juniors for the composure they demonstrated on the day.

The crew got off to a positive start in their race against some strong opposition before going on to deliver a convincing win.

Junior team member Libby Beecham said: “When we were rowing out to the start line we were all very nervous, but our cox Kevin told us to enjoy it and relax.

“We listened to him as we approached the line and we had an amazing start which gave us a lot of power, keeping us in front of all the way round the course.

“We were all very happy and overwhelmed.”

The junior team was made up of cox Batchelor, Beecham, Oliver Day, Dominic Day, Tom Ramsden, Joshua Hamblett-Edwards and Ben Blackburn.

As well as the juniors, Bridport’s ladies, men’s, vets and mixed crews took part in the regatta, racing clubs including Ilfracombe, Bristol, Langstone and the hosts.

Bridport secured a brilliant third place overall by consistently being placed in the top five throughout the day.

The ladies’ A team came fifth, a result matched by the ladies’ B crew, the men’s A team secured fourth, and the men’s B were fifth.

The ladies’ vets finished second in their race, the men’s vets were fifth and the mixed crew came in sixth.

The course for the regatta positioned within Weymouth Bay along the historic beachfront, with two stroke-side buoy turns and a long straight sprint to the finish.

These results for Bridport come just a few weeks after their appearance at the World Pilot Gig Championships and are all very promising with the rest of the season in mind.

The club hopes to keep up their good form at the forthcoming regattas, with Bridport’s own regatta being held on Sunday, June 21.

For more information about rowing with the club, contact the secretary at rowingsecretary@bridportgigclub.org or visit bridportgigclub.org.