Tees rowers have again performed well at a major meeting. Members of Tees Rowing Club were out in force at the Rutherford Head of the River Race, a prestigious long-distance rowing event held on the Tyne over a 5km course. The event, which attracted crews from Ireland and Scotland as well as from across the North region, was the last major event for 2004 and provided a valuable marker for crews going into the New Year. Some 150 crews raced in two divisions. Conditions were ideal for the morning Division One events while things freshened up at Newburn for Division Two as the tide turned in the afternoon. Tees RC entered three crews in Division One with the top placings being dominated by top local university crews. Nevertheless the Tees veteran coxless quad scull of David Cooper, Paul Buckworth, Jonny Cooper and Hugh Pelham were fourth overall out of 74 entries in a time of 17min 47.6sec in the men's senior open competition. Two women's Senior 3 eights competed in Division One with the crew stroked by Ruth Wilkinson just having the edge over the Tees eight stroked by Victoria Hunnam. Ruth's crew of Suzie Francis (bow), Christine Meikle, Ester Takacs, Laura Hunter-Smith, Caroline Carter, Sarah Stocking and Sarah Douglas - with Janet Wilkinson coxing - were 33rd overall in their event, which included both men's and women's teams. Helen Lawson (bow), Victoria Phelan, Helen Cronshaw, Fiona Ventress, Deborah Ashurst, Lucy Ventress, Zoe Rayson and Victoria Hunnam - with Gary Bettinson coxing - were 51st overall in the same event. Division Two was a spirited affair with top class performances coming from Newcastle and Durham universities. Tees had two crews in the top five positions with the ever improving Tees Senior 3 A eight of Chris Blackwood (bow), Steven Leigh, Rob Cree, David Scarr, Steve Vaslet, Russell Mills, Graham Hollins, Andy Pickering (stroke) - with Angela Warburton (cox) - returning the fast time of 16min 51.5sec to claim fourth place overall out of 79 crews. The Tees B eight found the competition tough with several team members experiencing high quality head racing for the first time. Brian Baldwin (bow), Brian Ventress, Steve McLaren, Graham Tooth, Kevin Robinson, Dave Warburton, John Harrison and Paul Lofts - with Zoe Rayson coxing - finished 30th overall. The Tees Veteran D (over 50) crew of Gary Bettinson (bow), Paul Reevell, Dick Wilkinson, John Green, Dilwyn Jones, Bob Bainbridge, Tony Stocking (stroke) - with cox John Heron steering an immaculate course - won their category comfortably in a time of 17min 10.1sec. Tees crews now take a break from racing and are continuing winter training to resume competition in the New Year. * The club is looking for coxes. If interested contact the club via the Tees Rowing Club website at: www.teesrc.co.uk | 
