THE QEHS Rowing Club sent a squad of over 50 to Talkin Tarn Regatta.

QEHS contested 14 finals, winning seven event titles with the J18 boys winning all six events entered.

Tom Archer and Tom Smith beat Durham in the semi-final, and then St Andrews in the final in the J18 double sculls.

They were then joined later in the day by Christian Chomse and Harry Andersen to again beat Durham in the semi-final of the J18 coxless quads.

This led to a final against Chester-le-Street, which was one of the closest races of the day, with QEHS crossing the finish line first.

Nick Ryan continued his dominance of the J18 single sculls locally, and then swapped two blades for one when he was joined by Robbie Langford to contest the senior coxless pairs event.

They followed an impressive semi-final win over St Andrews, with an even more impressive win in the final against Stirling.

Robbie had also demonstrated his prowess with two blades earlier in the day as he and clubmate James Scott beat St Andrews and Nithsdale in the final of the senior double sculls.

The final win for the QEHS senior boys came from the J18 single sculls category 2 event. Harry Andersen won his semi-final against Lancaster and Lakeland, to meet clubmate Christian Chomse in the final after he beat Berwick in his semi.

Both these boys are developing single scullers and, although Christian put up a good display, the extra power of Harry was the deciding factor as he took the win.

QEHS crews were involved in many close races throughout the day coming off second in perhaps a few too many.

The J14 boys of Ryan Walton, Lewis Blair, Oscar Knapp Aaron Kroese coxed by Ciaran Ball made a couple of technical errors in the middle of the tarn and lost to Hexham in the semi-final of the J14 coxed quads.

However, the J14 girls gave all the QEHS rowers a real thriller in the final of the WJ14 coxed quads category 2.

QEHS have a large squad of almost 20 J14 girls and in this regatta all three crews found themselves in the category 2 event.

The first semi-final was won by QE crew Katie Chomse, Nicole Manning, Grace Manning, Harriet Hobrough coxed by Sam Farrow as they beat Durham and QE clubmates Amy Lee, Molly Woodley, Jessie Elliott, Isabell Hayler-Hughes coxed by Ciaran Ball.

The second semi was won by QE crew Freya Powell, Eve Smith, Grace Wilson, Aimee Mather coxed by Kara Goldsmith as they beat Sunderland.

This led to a QE v QE final.

The coaches knew this was going to be too close to call and arranged with the race organisers to ensure both crews had suitable recovery time after their semis.

The two crews did not disappoint as there was nothing between the crews throughout the race and with clubmates shouting ‘come on QE’ there was no doubt it would be a QE boat first over the finish line but which one?

There were a few tense moments as parents, coaches and clubmates awaited the umpire’s decision. Mixed reactions followed when the crew coxed by Sam Farrow were announced the winners by three feet.

Coach Geoff Higgins got both crews together to congratulate them on an outstanding performance, which can only ensure QEHS Rowing continues to be successful as these inexperienced young rowers develop.