Maldon rowers enjoy more success in the Harkers Yard series

It took place in clear blue skies, 8°C temperature and light north-west winds of 12mph.

With 16 boats entered, all the rowers gathered for an exciting day of racing with many friends, family and spectators ready to cheer from the grass bank alongside the river.

With restrictive width of the River Colne at Rowhedge, each gig was called to the start line one at a time for time trial racing and they were sent out with one-minute intervals between them.

The spectators had a prime view of all the different coloured gigs and cheered on their chosen crew.

The ladies' race started off the competitive spirit and, with only five minutes separating all the gigs, from first to 16th place, Maldon's ladies in Record Reign were triumphant and finished in first place with a time of 16 minutes and six seconds.

This was just two seconds ahead of the host team.

Maldon's ladies in Ready finished in 11th place, with a time of 18 minutes 30s.

The men's race only had three minutes separating first to 16th place and Maldon's men in Record Reign finished in fourth place, in 14m 48s.

Maldon's men in Ready were not far behind in sixth place, in 15m 22s.

The mixed teams completed the day's racing and with the first nine gigs finishing within one minute and only three minutes separating first to last, Maldon's mixed team Record Reign was triumphant in first place with 15m 17s.

This was just two seconds ahead of their nearest rival.

Maldon's mixed team in Ready came in eighth place with 16m 2s.

The presentation of results by the host club was made by the river and it was a jubilant Maldon ladies and mixed team that received their two first-place prizes. The competition between the Essex clubs and their teams is getting keener and each race day is an exciting prospect.

The third race in the Winter Series is on Sunday, hosted by Brightlingsea Coastal Rowing Club.

For more information on rowing and the club, see www.maldongigclub.org.uk