NORTHWICH Rowing Club’s show of strength off the water saw members bring back five titles from the English Indoor Championships.

While athletes at home were unable to train because the River Weaver was frozen, their friends collected silverware at the National Cycling Centre in Manchester.

Alice Worden led the way, following her success at the Welsh Indoor Championships in November with another when she set the fastest time during the women’s open lightweight race over 2km.

She finished as runner-up too in a sprint event for the same category, this time over 500m.

Clare Hargreaves enjoyed double success too, classifying first in the women’s 40-49 age-group category over the shorter distance and ranking third in the 2km race.

There was further success for Northwich seniors when Helen Wrigley took silver in the women’s over 40s heavyweight class – this time over 500m – and Jane Davies matched that feat among the lightweight entries for the same age-group.

Northwich Guardian:

Northwich Rowing Club juniors were out in force at the English Indoor Championships in Manchester last weekend

A sizeable contingent of juniors included two newly-crowned national champions in Iona Mitchell (under 15s girls) and Oliver Sunley (under 13s boys).

An under 14s girls’ team from Northwich of Cara Brook, Grace Sperring-Toy, Sophie Guy and Bella Wishart took told too in their category.

Mitchell joined forces with Imogen Moore, Honor Campbell and Maisy Jardine to take silver in the under 16s girls’ team event.

There was a runners-up prize too for Amber Sperring-Toy, Zara Gautier-Price, Caitlyn Wynne and Fran Campbell.

Brook (under 14s girls), Emily Neale (under 12s girls) and Jack Millington (under 16s boys) finished second in their respective individual classes.

Northwich’s medals haul, which numbered 18 by the finish at an event hosted by Hollingworth Lake Rowing Club, included bronze gongs for Hannah Middlebrook (under 15s girls) – who also was part of an under 16s girls’ team with Tess Asteriades, Anna Carnell and Amelia Roberts that ranked third – and Charlie Sunley (under 15s boys).

“Our athletes made the most of the coldest day of the year so far,” said Rachel Hooper, the club’s publicity officer.

“It was an incredible event for us.”