THE Dorset Schools Gig Rowing Championships took place at Weymouth Rowing Club.

The event, the first of its kind to take place, was for Year Nine students.

During the last two months, more than 50 pupils have been trained to row and the culmination of that tutoring was the championship itself.

Wey Valley, Budmouth, All Saints, Thomas Hardye, IPACA, Beaminster, Colfox and St Osmund’s were the eight teams present at the event.

The teams were split into heats of five with the two top in each making the final and others in going through to the Plate. There were girls’ and boys’ events as well as a mixed team category.

Budmouth beat off stiff competition to take the under-14 boys’ prize, while in the girls’ class, it was Wey Valley who won the trophy in style.

The overall winner of the mixed competition was Thomas Hardye.

Pam Govier, of the Wey Valley School, said: “It was amazing to watch the teams race on the water, especially with the action being so close.

“Weymouth Rowing Club put on a fantastic event and are to be congratulated.

“The competitors and spectators also much appreciated the refreshments which the club provided.”