TORRENTIAL downpours, thunder and lightning at Evesham failed to dampen the enthusiasm of Bewdley Rowing Club's Junior-14 squad during their first taste of competitive racing.

The youngsters revelled in the atmosphere at the trial - even though the wet weather gave their parents a soggy introduction to the spectator side of the sport.

Particularly enjoying themselves at the event were the boys doubles pair of Luke McCoy and Ben Prince who won gold in their first ever event, while Zac Price and Tom Everard took bronze.

Jo Raven and Anna Chapman, also racing for the first time, did very well to come fourth in the girls Junior-15 doubles category.

The rest of the girls Junior-14 squad competed in quads for the first time.

Finishing fourth were Gemma Boland, Zoe Buckland, Kate Crowther-Green, Sophie McGrath and cox Mairi Lawther.

The two other quads of Bethany Turner, Katy Venables, Mari Lawther and Stacey Lewis and Amy Willliams, Bryony Lloyd, Bethan England and Karen Beddoes were fifth and sixth in their group events.