On a Durham Regatta weekend of two distinct halves - torrential rain and hail on Saturday and blue skies and sunshine on Sunday - members of Tees Rowing Club scored five wins, their greatest number of successes at this event for many years.

This, the largest of the northern regattas, attracted a record 570 entries from as far apart as London and St. Andrews. In addition to the rowing races other attractions included a Classic Car display, Dragon Boat demonstration, 24 hour rowing machine marathon in aid of Cancer Research and the RAF parachute display team - The Falling Rocks - even managed to find a break in the clouds for a spectacular drop in.

Sadly Ted Moulding, whose voice has been heard as a regatta commentator for many years, was unable to take part owing to ill health. His fellow commentators paid tribute to him in the most appropriate manner - via the public address.

The Tees Rowing Club winners were led by their Veterans who on the Saturday won Veteran D (over 50s) Eights and on the Sunday added Veteran E (over 55s) Coxed Fours. The Eight comprised Richard Harandon, Dick Wilkinson, Chris Kenyon, Alan Parsons, John Green, Jonnie Cooper, David Cooper, Tony Stocking and cox John Heron. The successful four were Chris Kenyon, Alan Parsons, John Green, Tony Stocking and cox John Heron.

In the Coxless Pairs event Stuart Walker and Martin Leach collected their sixth trophy of the season when they won the Macfarlane-Grieve Challenge Cup.

Single sculler Paul Buckworth resumed his season long duel with David Noble of Cambois Rowing Club. Before Durham these two had met in four finals and the score was two all. No change after Durham - again honours were even with Paul winning the John Peele Trophy on Saturday and David gaining revenge in the equivalent event on Sunday.

Perhaps most pleasing was the win for the club's Junior girls in the Women's Under 16s Double Sculls. Helena Malcolm and Fiona Inman literally put down their GCSE Revision notes, picked up their boat and blades and reaped the rewards of months of dedicated training by beating Northwich and Chester-le-Street to bring home Tees Rowing Club's fifth win of the regatta.

For further information on Tees Rowing Club in particular and rowing in general pay a visit to www.teesrowingclub.co.uk.