WORCESTER Rowing Club members were busy competing at Ross Regatta.

The highlight of the weekend was a first win for the women’s novice coxed four of Trina Walsh, Michelle Hodgkins, Caroline Howdle, Rebecca Kandiyali and cox Nigel Steele.

The Worcester four raced a crew from Liverpool Victoria in the semi-final, who they beat by a length-and-a-half, securing a place in the final.

Despite difficult conditions over the 700-metre course on the Wye, the Worcester novice crew took an early lead in their final against another Liverpool crew and rowed strongly to claim their first victory.

Amy Jones provided the only win for the junior section, winning the women’s junior 14 single sculls. Jones took advantage of the fast stream and managed to beat the current junior 14 national champion from Runcorn in style.

The senior squads also provided wins for the club in the senior one eights and the senior two coxless fours. The eight containing the current women’s pairs national champions — Claire Crozier and Malin Eriksson — teamed up with Mark Johnson, Jed Greenhouse, Matt Norman, Andy Grant, Steve Hemsworth, Pete Crozier and cox Anne O’Connell to beat a crew from the UK Police Rowing Club in the final.

In the coxless fours, Chris Couper, Steen McCollin, Nigel Steele and Richard Heath, showed their fine form by clinching the senior two title, beating Minerva Bath.

This four will hope to repeat their success next month when they compete at the European Masters Championships in Vichy with other Worcester crews.

Other Worcester wins came in the mixed senior two double sculls — Crozier and Norman — and in the senior two coxless pairs — Couper and McCollin. Worcester crews will look to build on these successes at their own regatta, to be held next Saturday on the River Severn over the 500m sprint course.

Crews from all over the country are expected to descend on the city to take part in the popular event.

This year, Worcester Rowing Club are hosting the prestigious West of England Challenge Vase competition, which is regarded as the premier trophy for men’s coxed fours on the provincial rowing circuit, and will be contested for the 117th time.