The carefully constructed men's novice four of Mark Adcock, Mark Taylor, Alan Bliss and Chris Humphries took part in their first competitive event at the Bedford Quarts Regatta on February 10, on a beautiful Spring-like day with near-perfect conditions.

The carefully constructed men's novice four of Mark Adcock, Mark Taylor, Alan Bliss and Chris Humphries took part in their first competitive event at the Bedford Quarts Regatta on February 10, on a beautiful Spring-like day with near-perfect conditions.

They were the only representatives from Beccles Rowing Club to take part and were evaluated under the watchful eye of their coach Phil Marler as they finished ninth in the first division in a time of 8:03 after a tidy, but reserved run.

In the second division the crew entered at the higher senior four level and ended up finishing 11th in 8:20, with Mark Taylor unfortunately coming out of his seat, but with cox Midge Beedham steering a sharper line and minimising the time loss.

Whilst the coach's benchmark time of 7:30 was not achieved, the day was a positive platform from which to build, with valuable race experience being gained for all concerned in readiness for the fast-approaching regatta season.

For detail of the 2008 Rowing Regatta season and for ways to support Beccles Rowing Club, please visit www.becclesrowingclub.co.uk