THE hosts can boast of having the fastest boat on the water at Northwich Rowing Club’s Autumn Head last Sunday.

Gwylym Harris, Harrison Kendall-Smith, Tom Swithenbank and Will Miles made up an under 17s boys’ quad scull that completed a course on the River Weaver in 8.22.3 to claim the Tim Hooper Trophy.

A field of close to 300 crews contested three divisions of racing in chilly conditions.

Northwich were victors in nine other classes.

In the morning session, there was singles success for Josh Burke (under 18s boys), Imogen Wolstencroft (under 18s girls), Ellie Cushen (under 17s girls), Patrick Brogan (under 16s boys) and Amber Sperring-Toy (under 16s girls).

Kendall-Smith and Harris joined forces in an under 18s boys’ double that was more than 30 seconds faster than their closest-rivals from Royal Lancaster Grammar School.

In the under 18s girls’ double, Katherine Schofield and Ellie Heathcock shared first prize with a crew from Merchant Taylors’ School after they stopped the clock in identical times.

Charlotte Almond and Ellie Cushen were too quick for Liverpool Victoria in an under 17s girls’ double – perfect preparation for an early ID assessment for Great Britain’s junior team in Boston yesterday, Saturday.

Northwich Guardian:

Ellie Cushen and Charlotte Almond were part of an under 17s girls' double scull that was quickest in their category during Northwich Rowing Club's Autumn Head. Picture: Rachel Hooper

Burke joined them there.

A coxed masters C quad from Northwich claimed category honours as well.

Stuart Dunnett, David Snelling, Jamie Gruszka, Lee Jones and cox Andrew Morrison were on board.

Grange School Rowing Club sent 20 crews to take part, and made a short journey home with six wins to their name.

An IM3 men’s double of Seb Paisley and Sam Thorington ran out comfortable victors, while Antonia Molton and Imogen Stubbs had to work harder to see off the challenge of King’s School Chester in a women’s novice double.

Patrick Lee and Tom Clough took first prize in the under 17s boys’ double ahead of North Staffordshire, while Nat Morrey and Matt Kenyon triumphed in the under 16s boys’ double.

Paisley and Thorington were back on the water in an under 16s boys’ quad, with Rory Webster and Brad Strickland-Baker, that cruised to victory in 8.47.8.

The Hartford school’s final win went to Archie McCauley and Tom Butler in a men’s novice double that edged rivals from Sir John Deane’s College into second spot.