HANLEY Swan's Anna Bailey tasted victory in the Norwich Union Indoor Rowing Championships.

The World Champion was in fine form, representing the Old Wrecks Indoor Rowing Club, when she took first place in the women's 50-59 heavyweight category with a time of seven minutes and 15.6 seconds -- securing the fastest women's time of the day.

Maria Scotland, another Old Wreck member coached by Eddie Fletcher of Evesham, finished very strongly in second place with a personal best time of 7-55-1 in the women's 40-49 heavyweight race, only the second time she has achieved a sub-eight minute time.

The inaugural Norwich event proved a huge success for competitors and spectators despite it clashing with the football World Cup final.

n A large contingent of Old Wrecks will compete in Evesham's River Festival on July 13.

One of the events is the 'Golden Mile' on the indoor rower in aid of Sport Relief, which is being organised by Evesham Rowing Club. It should prove a test between the 'dry' rowers and the 'wet' ones.

The mile is an unusual distance, being 1609 metres, and has been specially introduced this year for Comic Relief's Sport Relief initiative, providing opportunities for some new World Records to be set.

Anyone interested in competing in the Golden Mile should contact Robin Walker at the club or e-mail him on robinwalker@ntlworld.com.