Thirteen boats signed on in bright sunshine and light breeze , pre race banter varied from " if this is the stream where is the lake " and a discussion on the early migration of polar bears from Bolton.

RACE 1

Started in two flights , after a short beat Andy Flitcroft found the turning mark under siege from a 72ft narrowboat , after finding reverse gear the fleet then passed the mark, the second flight started with more breeze with the Hawley brothers quickly overhauling the tail of the first flight, after swift calculation the result was

Hawley C ,Hawley S , Flitcroft , Everett, Hossell.

RACE 2

The flights were reversed , the wind became even more variable , helped by a herd of cows taking water in the adjacent field . After an uneventful first lap the Hawleys led by Steve followed by Flitcroft , also in the frame Boneham and Hossell.

Suddenly a whirlwind came over the field down the river and hit Everett square on , not even the new style "chopped " baseball cap could save him from a double swim.

The whirlwind passed over as quick as it came obviously intent in causing havoc at the cricket match in the next village before tea .

The results were Hawley S , Hawley C , Flitcroft , Boneham , Hossell

RACE 3

The top 7 in contention made up flight 1 , Hawley S was OCS leaving 575,556, 553 clear ahead , Flight 2 started with 426 taking an early lead . By the end of the first lap a breakaway was taking place Flitcroft follow by the Hawleys , the second fleet however had a second wind and ran down and past the tail of the first flight, Utteridge using his local knowledge to advantage .

At the finish positions were Flitcroft , Hawley S , Utteridge, Hawley C , Jones S.

The overall results finished as follows :-

1 st 492 Steve Hawley , Severn SC
2 nd 575 Chris Hawley, Severn SC
3 rd 553 Andy Flitcroft, Bolton SC
4 th 426 Alan Utteridge, Severn SC
5 th 608 Phil Hossell, Severn SC
6 th 605 Neil Boneham, Bartley SC