A CREW representing the hosts was the fastest on the River Weaver during Northwich Rowing Club’s Spring Head last week.

Gwilym Harris, Jack Wilne, Josh Jackson and Patrick Brogan formed part of an under 16s boys’ quad that completed a 2,350m course in 8.24.1 to claim the Walter Benyon Trophy.

The former coach’s widow, Sue, presented the prize on a day that marked the 16th anniversary of her husband’s passing.

Two of the boat’s members, Harris and Wilne, took class honours in an under 18s and novice single scull respectively.

Harris continued a busy afternoon when he joined forces with Brogan to hold off the challenge of rivals representing Pengwern Boat Club in an under 17s boys’ double.

Northwich recorded an impressive 16 wins in total during an event that attracted entries from 23 clubs and schools from across the north of England and Wales.

In Division One, held in spring sunshine during the morning, Josh Burke (under 18s boys), Ellie Cushen (under 17s girls), Honor Campbell (under 15s girls) and Alex Hemsted (senior) topped the time-sheet in a race against the clock.

Cushen was also part of an under 18s girls’ double with Imogen Wolstencroft that looked a class apart from the rest of the field in Division Two.

They reached the finish-line in 9.47.2 – almost 40 seconds clear of their closest-rivals from Warrington Rowing Club.

Meanwhile Burke and Rhys Coffey won in a men’s senior double, a feat matched by Wilne and Jackson in an under 17s boys’ double.

George Crouchley, Simon Crouchley, Matthew Roberts and Andy Malins timed 8.31.3 in a men’s senior quad.

And Malins and Simon Crouchley were back on the water to edge York City in a men’s masters D/E double scull.

There was twice the reason to celebrate too for George Crouchley and Roberts who joined forces with Burke, Coffey and cox Bethan Coffey to win as a men’s senior coxed four.

Meanwhile an under 17s girls’ quad with Olivia Dunnett, Amber Sperring-Toy, Fran Campbell and Molly Garlick on board were too quick for their challengers from Royal Chester.

A long list of victories for Northwich was completed by Caitlyn Wynne and Isabel Ennis in a women’s novice double.

“Everything went without a hitch thanks to our brilliant organising committee,” said Rachel Hooper, the club’s publicity officer.