ROWERS pushed out the boat in festive style on the Wye in the last official race of the year.

Members of Ross RC sported plenty of red and white Santa hats on a cold day downriver at the Monmouth Winter Head, entering a bumper two trailer loads of eights, quadruple sculls and a single.

Llandaff RC’s British Junior silver medal eight set the benchmark in the 100-boat Sunday, December 4, time trial raced over morning and afternoon divisions, storming home in six minutes five seconds to pip Swansea University’s eight by a second.

The fastest Ross boat were the mixed masters over-42 eight, which covered the 1.5-mile Hadnock-boathouse course in 6.55 on handicap, just 14 seconds behind category winners Avon County.

A masters over-50 women’s quadruple scull posted a time of 7.20 to place second in class 17 seconds behind Bradford-on-Avon and 25 seconds ahead of Upton.

The masters over 36 quad scull were third in class in 7.24, while two mixed open quads were second and fourth in 7.39 and 8.31 respectively in category, with another mixed masters over-42 boat crosssing in 8.45.

The girls’ U16 quad scull beat Monmouth Comprehensive to second by 16 seconds, crossing in 7.57 behind Stourport.

In the women’s masters 8s, Ross beat Llan-

daff by 13 seconds on handicap in a time of 7.33 to place third in class.

The women’s over-42 quad were also third behind Stratford and Upton in 7.48.

And last but not least, Mike Jones - hailed as the ‘Wye legend’ in the race commentary – went off as a solo single sculler at the back of the field, finishing in 9.00 dead.

Ladies captain Pam Ball said: “There were some very close times over both divisions from all crews, a great effort considering some members had not rowed together until the day.

“It was a cold damp day but morale was high despite the rain. The bacon rolls, delicious cakes and hot chocolate went down well before, during and after racing. Many thanks to our nearest neighbours Monmouth Rowing Club for their very warm welcome.”

The club also held its “Row Come All Ye Faithful” Christmas party at the clubhouse last Friday to end a brilliant week.