The annual River Teign Rowing Club seine boat series got in to its rhythm with the third race taking place last Saturday.

After cold and damp conditions for the first two races, it began to feel that summer might finally be arriving and that the post-race socialising could be exercised in the open air.

The junior crews raced first, setting off from Shaldon Beach, with a staggered start – the younger crews leaving before the older ones.

It was the Crazy Crew in Mavis (boys' U12s) who set the pace, charging up to the club buoy set near Polly Steps and making the turn first. Although setting off at different times, the other five crews were bunched together as they approached the turn.

Racing back against the tide, it was the girls' U16 crew, Rowdedendrons, in Gehenna, having set off last, who looked the most powerful, managing to cross the line in second, behind the Crazy Crew and holding off Teign Buoys in Viscount Amery II, who now lead in the boys' U14 category from Teign Tearaways in Hawk.

It was the turn of the women to row first in the senior races and the course was set with a start from the pier, straight out to sea.

A left turn around a buoy sent the rowers towards Sprey Point where another sharp turn saw them head for home, and a finish adjacent to the back beach by the Lifeboat slipway.

Last year's champions Abs Fab, in Eve C, set an early pace, storming away from the rest of the fleet, looking to improve on their previous second position. They were hotly pursued by G Foarce in Merlin, winner of the first two races this season.

By the time the two leaders reached the first buoy, it appeared as if G Foarce would ease their way to a third consecutive victory. However, Abs Fab fought back and the two frontrunners remained neck-and-neck all the way in to the harbour, with Abs Fab returning to form with their first victory of the season.

Noss Ladies rowed Samurai to third position, while Funky Oars continued their excellent start to the season with fourth place in Eileen.

The men followed the same course for their race but, in an interesting twist, a scratch crew of rowers in Grace set out to show what they could do.

However, it was SAS in Mrs B who moved in to an early lead, hotly pursued by Mannor Garage Men in Merlin, then the scratch crew.

Although the current championship leaders never really looked as if they were would be beaten, SAS had to work hard to hold off the chasing crews.

The team in Grace crossed the line in second place, but the points went to Mannor Garage Men as they are officially registered as a racing crew.

Best result of the day went to the Power Ankers in Eileen, who gained third place, their highest position for several years.

Lower down the field, the Blue Anchors showed their consistency with their third successive 13th place in Contessa, while Aladdin Seine continued their great start to the season with another 14th place in Sooty.

A big thanks to the Ship Inn for excellent post-race hospitality.

The next race is on Saturday, June 6.

Visit the website www. teignrowers. co.uk for all information related to River Teign Rowing Club.