THE Isle of Ely Rowing Club s veteran eight put in a scintillating performance to take third place in the St Radegund Mile last weekend. The eight, who had set themselves a demanding target time of seven minutes, powered across the line in an impressive t

THE Isle of Ely Rowing Club's veteran eight put in a scintillating performance to take third place in the St Radegund Mile last weekend.

The eight, who had set themselves a demanding target time of seven minutes, powered across the line in an impressive time of six minutes five seconds to take third spot and comprehensively smash their target time.

Crew member Rodney Atkinson, said: "Our average time over each 500 metres was 1 minute and 53 seconds, which far exceeded our expectations. We are delighted with the result."

In the stroke seat, John Thurman set a steady pace of 33 strokes per minute and the crew was urged on by 14 year-old cox Adam Hebbard, competing in his first race coxing an eight. "Adam did extremely well - coxing an eight can be a daunting challenge but Adam acquitted himself well," said Atkinson.

At Ely Sailing Club's weekly programme meanwhile, there was notable success for John Wells and his daughter Molly as some canny sailing saw them pick up three wins in four races.

Squally south-easterly winds made for a tough afternoon's racing for the participating crews and a number of sailors found themselves submerged after being caught out.

There was no such bad luck for the father and daughter team though as they cruised to victory in the second handicap race and in both enterprise races making for a successful afternoon.

There were also notably successes for Andy Wilcox and Niall Pearcey as they picked up a brace of wins each.