ROWERS from the West Midlands made an impressive showing at the National Veteran Championships last weekend.

The championships are raced each year over a 1,000 metre multi-lane course at the National Water Sports Centre, near Nottingham.

A West Midlands composite crew of oarswomen representing Upton, Evesham, Bewdley and Birmingham rowing clubs took two National titles beating crews from Belfast and Peterborough.

The Veteran C Coxed Fours final was between the West Midlands crew and Belfast Rowing Club. The conditions were reasonably calm by Nottingham standards but made difficult by a strong and gusting cross wind. The crews were level off the start but, by maintaining a strong steady rhythm, the West Midlands pulled away to lead by more than a boat length. Belfast fought back hard to come back on terms but were unable to pull back the West Midlands lead and the crew went on to win comfortably.

In the second event the crew were defending their title won last year in the Veteran B Coxless Fours. The final was against Peterborough Rowing Club who the local crew had met in many events including the World Master in Belgium and a close result was expected. The West Midlands failed to produce their usual crisp start and the crew was not settled going into the middle of the race. With 500m to go Peterborough pushed hard and were within half a length of the leading crew. A final steady drive by the West Midlands crew ensured that they maintained their lead and they went on to take the gold medal by nearly three seconds.

Earlier in the day Teresa Roberts produced a thrilling finish in the Veteran A Single Sculls coming from third at 250m to take the silver medal.

The crew is planning to compete at Henley Veterans Regatta in July.

West Midlands Crew: Veteran B Coxless IVs - Jo Atkinson (Bewdley), Teresa Roberts (Evesham), Maggie Jaimeson (Birmingham), Liz Killick (steers - Upton).

Veteran C Coxed IVs - Jo Atkinson, Rhian Pritchard (Birmingham), Maggie Jaimeson, Liz Killick, Teresa Roberts (cox).