Worcester 2005

And so to our nearest race (apart from the obvious one), Cardiff travelled up the A48 (I think- I can’t map read for toffee) to the racecourse in convoy on the Sunday morning (meaning no camping overnight- wahey!!!), with the heralded return of Alex from America and a jet-lagged Rory who’d been to Borneo for a bit (just for fun). 18 paddlers and a helm (and borrowed drummer(s)) completed the crew ready for a day of 200 and 450 metres. It was quite a quiet day racing-wise, with it all over by about half past 4-ish. The 200’s were over in a flash, mainly because there was only one of them per team. We came first in ours so we were sorted for the 500s.
Lunch was nice and long, Alex decided to watch some DVD’s with Rhi (honest!) and then we had our first 500, marking exactly one race year since Ian first helmed at a race event. I would’ve made him a badge but…nah. We had some support on the sidelines in the form of Richard’s mum and dad and various assorted relations from our crew who helped us buckets by shouting, and we met some more random Welsh people (We love Caerphilly!!!!). We then were entertained by Gordon (who was helming Batchworth) not looking the least bit bothered when Brute Force bashed the back of their boat. Unfortunate for both boats involved, but it was hilarious to watch (or have I just got a sick sense of humour?).
We were later drawn into the same heat as the mighty Kingston and Henley and we came third, not unsurprisingly considering they are in the top flight of the Premier division and we definitely are not, but it was a respectable race. Julie Doyle kindly drummed for us when Polly Cardiff (not her real name, but never mind) was not available (she’s a drummer in demand!). This is what happens when you play with the big boys in the Cup competition! Our last race was against Amathus Bees and Exe-Calibre/Bristol, lane three wasn’t desirable but it’s better than no lane! We came third, in the reverse order of the close final at Exeter, but it was good racing all round.
Home and dry (ish) by 7 o’clock on a race day- not bad going. Still flipping tired mind! Onwards to Peterborough!
~*~Bagpuss~*~

*Psn*	*Team*	*Entered*	*Points*
1	Amathus Bees	3	47
2	Cardiff Powerblades	3	41
3	Secklow 100	3	34
4	Bristol Emp Dragon	2	30