The 2024 Sunday League season reached its halfway point at Hexham on July 7th. The blustery conditions of Talkin Tarn Regatta the day before held off until the conclusion of racing as 13 crews contested a series of side by side races in stable coxed quads over a 350 metre course on the River Tyne.
The season had got off to an inauspicious start with round 1 at Berwick in April cancelled because of a forecast of high winds and flooding. Rounds 2 and 3 fared better although the Tyne round in June was abandoned in the strengthening wind after 3 races each.
Cambois led the way in both Open and Women’s competitions going into the Hexham round, with Wansbeck Wanderers yet to drop a point in the Open league and Cambois Cavalry being beaten only once.
DARC Humour have been DARC’s only representatives so far this year, a mixed crew placed in mid-table of the 9 Open crews taking part.
A favourable draw at Hexham helped DARC’s crew to achieve their best return so far, finishing with 8 points on the day gained from 3 wins and a dead heat in their 4 races, moving them up to 3rd place in the Open table on 18 points, 1 behind Tynemouth Seals who dropped a point in their head to head against leaders Wansbeck Wanderers who now have 22 points.
Tyney Temper (Tyne ARC) won 4 races and took the maximum 8 points to overtake Cambois Cavalry and move into the lead by 1 point in the Women’s league on 20 points.
Results from the Hexham round and running scores can be found here.
The league is aimed primarily at novice, recreational and returning rowers although the rules about who can take part have been further relaxed this year. New teams are welcome at any time throughout the season. To find out how to enter see the Sunday League page on the Northern Rowing website.
Thanks go to Hexham Rowing Club for efficient organisation and Talkin Tarn for providing two of the boats.
Durham is set to stage the season finale on October 6th.
DARC Humour at Hexham