TEAMS showed their class in round two of the Harkers Yard Gigs Winter Series at Rowhedge Coastal Rowing Club.

The crowds that gathered on the green at Rowhedge were treated to a colourful spectacle, as the racing descended upon the riverside village.

Going off at one-minute intervals in pursuit-style racing, the course took the teams from the start/finish post on the green, down to Rowhedge wharf for a port-side turn before the long leg back up past the green.

The gigs raced up river for a final port-side turn and then back to the finish.

Timing was everything, with some very close finishes.

In the ladies’ race, Maldon’s Record Reign beat the competition in 16 minutes 06 seconds to take first place.

Aquiline from home team Rowhedge finished second in 16m 08s and Brightlingsea Coastal Rowing Club’s Vanduara ladies were third in 16m 12s. Wivenhoe Corsairs’ Defiance and Stone Sailing Club’s Defiance finished fourth and fifth respectively.

This week’s results leave the top three finishers tied in first place overall, in the ladies’ league.

In the men’s race, Brightlingsea’s Vanduara finished first in 14m 27s, while Mersea Island Rowing Club’s Mehalah and Rowhedge’s Aquiline tied for second place in 14m 39s.

Maldon’s Record Reign finished fourth, with Rowhedge’s Tyrant fifth.

The sun came out for the final race of the day and Maldon Gig Rowing Club’s Record Reign rowed to victory in 15m 17s.

They were two seconds ahead of Brightlingsea’s Vanduara (15m 19s), who were in turn two seconds ahead of Rowhedge’s Aquiline (15m 21s).

Mehalah and Defiance rounded off the top five.

University Community Sailing Club host the next race in Brightlingsea on November 19.

Full details of this week’s racing and overall points can be seen at www.facebook.com/harkersyardrowers