BECCLES Rowing Club visited Peterborough regatta last weekend for one of the racing calendar's most competitive events. Peterborough boasts a multi-lane, purpose built rowing lake which always attracts the very best crews from all over the country.

BECCLES Rowing Club visited Peterborough regatta last weekend for one of the racing calendar's most competitive events.

Peterborough boasts a multi-lane, purpose built rowing lake which always attracts the very best crews from all over the country.

The Saturday 1,000 metre event saw torrential rain for most of the day, but it didn't dampen the impressive enthusiasm of Mark Banham and Matt Lawes who continue their season in competitive form in the double scull.

Fresh from their victory at St Neots regatta, they approached their heat in the Senior Three event in typically determined style.

They rowed strongly and came through in second position, good enough to see them through to the repechage round which gave them a shot at reaching the final.

Unfortunately, during the course of the race, Banham aggravated a back injury and was forced to withdraw in the hope that he could recover in time for the Sunday 500 metre event.

The flagship 500 metre event was dry, but strong and gusty winds were prevalent.

Mark Banham and Matt Lawes once again took to the water hoping for better luck. Unfortunately, they finished fourth in their heat on the Sunday, Banham's back once again causing difficulties.

The other Senior Three Beccles double scull crew of Mark Adcock and Phil Marler pitted themselves against the might of the competition but were also unable to get through their heat, coming in third.

The crew moved through strongly at the finish, but ran out of course just as they were threatening to row through the opposition.

It was left to Phil Marler in his Senior Three single scull to bring a smile back to Beccles faces.

Marler was comfortable in his heat, battling the tricky tailwind to saunter home smoothly in first position, sending him serenely through to the final.

Racing against crews from the hosts Peterborough and also from Staines, Marler performed strongly, but couldn't quite find enough to get past one of the Staines scullers, finishing just one second behind the winner in a time of 1:43.

The next event for the club will be Cambridge Regatta on the September 7.

Those interested in joining or supporting Beccles Rowing Club are encouraged to visit www.becclesrowingclub.co.uk