NORTHWICH Rowing Club began the new season in style by taking top honours during Chester’s Long Distance Sculls on Saturday.

George Lawton was fastest in a single among a 23-strong under 17s boys’ field, completing a 5km course in 20:11.8.

Fellow junior Greg Murphy matched that feat in the under 16s age class, finishing top of the timesheet in 20:27.3.

There was success in the masters G category for Northwich’s Mike Francis, who timed 23:28.8.

In Division Two, the junior boys’ quad of Lawton, Harry Blake, Sam Harte and Leon Langmead classified as the fastest crew on the water after reaching the finish in 16:51.3 – more than 25 seconds quicker than their closest rivals from York City who clocked 17:16.1.

Northwich’s under 17s junior quad of Mike Lundy, Chris Malley, Matthew Roberts and Jack Koch were first in class too in an impressive 17:51.2.

A masters C double of Simon Crouchley and Andy Malins saw off their rivals, timing 19:49.0.

“I was happy to see so many single scullers racing during what was a great start to our winter campaign,” said club captain Rachel Hooper.

“Last season is going to be a hard one to beat, but our athletes have recognised they have potential and are working hard to be the very best they can.”

Neighbours Grange School Rowing Club celebrated a victory in the under 18s boys’ single, with Scott Ozsanlav-Harris first in 20:05.0.

Ben Holt stroked an under 18s boys’ double to success too, this time in 19:10.2.