Greenbank Rowing Club's Colin Blackmore and Ron Coote successfully retained the Veteran D (at ages min 50) coxless pairs title at the National Veteran Rowing Championships in Nottingham last weekend.

In a six boat final racing over 1,000 metres, they were never quite able to establish more than a canvas (6ft) lead over Morris and Cusack of Wallingford Rowing Club (former lightweight internationals). At the finish it was very tight with Greenbank getting the gold medal by a margin of half a second over Wallingford, and City of Oxford third.

Interestingly, the Greenbank pair were also being chased by former Olympic silver medalist Tim Crooks who races for Kingston RC and former England rugby union international Andy Ripley who represents Tideway Scullers School. They finished fourth and last, respectively.

Mary Coote and Sarah Choak (Greenbank) combined with two Paignton amateur rowing club ladies to race a credible third in the women's veteran B coxed four event. This race produced a blanket finish with Tideway Scullers getting the nod.

Within the local West of England circuit, Greenbank will be hosting their annual championship regatta at Stithians Lake on July 5.