The ‘masters’ of St Ives Rowing Club warmed up for another British medal challenge with success last weekend.

The Masters D quartet of Gary Gilbey, Tony Bennett, Pip Woodford and Paul Ashmore triumphed at the Peterborough Spring Regatta.

They completed the 1,000m course at Thorpe Meadows in a time of three minutes and 18 seconds last Sunday – nine seconds clear of the second-placed Star Club crew from Bedford.

It was the perfect preparation ahead of the British Masters Championships in Nottingham this Saturday when they will attempt to better the bronze medal they captured 12 months ago.

“There are 11 crews in our event, including the three medal-winners from last year,” said Ashmore. “It will be very tough, but we’ll certainly hope to improve on bronze this time.”

Another successful St Ives rower was also in action at Peterborough. Lauren Maddison produced a pleasing performance to finish second in the Women’s junior 16 single sculls in a time of four minutes, 14 seconds.

Huntingdon Boat Club enjoyed two successes at the Peterborough event.

Matthew Allen and Gwilym Andrew teamed up to win the Junior 14 double sculls over the 1,000m course at Thorpe Meadows. It was a second victory of the season for the duo after an April victory in Birmingham.

Gatley Searle was the other triumphant Huntingdon oarsman at Peterborough. He took the Junior 18 single sculls honours with a four-second cushion.

Poppy Shipley and Kornelia Wajda were third in the Junior 14 double-sculls event after winning their heat. Despite picking up an injury in that event, Shipley still took her placed in the coxed Junior 14 four along with Abigail Ryley, Ellie Nicholls and Rosie Shepherd to finish second in their event.

Tom Hunter reached the semi-finals of the Intermediate 3 event while other Huntingdon juniors to take part in the regatta were Emily Harman, Ellie Garnham, Dan Nash, Alec Smy, Oscar Brice and George Lindell-Mansbridge.

Evie Andrew and Louise Hinkley were coxes.