MEMBERS of Evesham and Arden clubs came together last Sunday at the town's Com-mon Road stretch of the river.

Five boats from each club competed in the first round of the Avon Trophy, currently held by Arden.

Although the river level had fallen there was still a strong flow and, with only a light unreliable breeze, it was to prove a frustrating afternoon.

The ten boats headed off downstream towards the weir for the start of the first race to turn at two port buoys set just above the weir before the slow long reach against the current.

Arden duo Jeremy and Niall Campbell, both in Enterprises, were kept company by Evesham's Haywood, Pickford and Edwards as the pack of five pulled away from the other five boats to form two racing groups.

Andrew Potts in a Solo for Arden looked as if he would close the gap but eventually fell back.

As the race progressed, leader Campbell made an error of judgement that let the three Evesham boats through - a position that they held to the end.

The second race got under way in the fickle breeze, coupled with the strong flow it made it difficult to keep to the right side of the start line.

Again Campbell, Pickford and Haywood pulled out a narrow lead but the rest of the crews were packed together and, if the wind held, were all still in with a shout.

On one of the difficult runs upstream. the wind died. The leading trio, though, had already squeezed around the buoy but the rest were stalled and only Arden's David Harris and Paul and Ann Baylis for Evesham, after some clever work, got round.

Campbell again fell away to leave Evesham's British Moths of Pickford and Haywood and the Baylis's Enterprise to take the top three positions.

The overall result was an outright win for John Pickford with Evesham taking the top three places. Jeremy Campbell steered the leading Arden boat but it was Evesham who hold a 67-39 advantage ahead of the return leg at Defford in October.

Evesham is staging an Open Day on Sunday and would-be sailors are invited to pop in any time between 12 noon and 4pm.

Arden members are reminded of this weekend's annual visit to Wyre Mill SC.