BECCLES Rowing Club's excellent season had a fabulous denouement on Sunday as one of the club's most committed members, Matt Lawes, put in an extraordinary performance to win his class in the gruelling Boston Marathon.

BECCLES Rowing Club's excellent season had a fabulous denouement on Sunday as one of the club's most committed members, Matt Lawes, put in an extraordinary performance to win his class in the gruelling Boston Marathon.

Matt came home as the fastest single sculler in the Men's Senior Four category in a fabulous time of 4:05.15 in hot conditions.

His performance was made even more extraordinary by his superb sprint finish as his nearest challenger came threateningly into view.

Matt deservedly claimed a proud pot that ranks as perhaps the hardest-earned trophy on the rowing calendar.

The Boston Marathon is famed for its brutal 31-mile course that has left many powerful rowers quivering wrecks. The sheer endurance required to complete the course takes months of arduous training, whilst competing to win in the event takes an exceptional physical and mental resolve that only a few possess.

The 2008 incarnation of the event was extremely well supported, with spectators lining every mile of the course, willing on battle-scarred and blistered competitors, many of whom looked as though they were asking themselves why they had ever thought of it in the first place.

Those wishing to support Beccles Rowing Club are encouraged to contact www.becclesrowingclub.co.uk