Emma Stagg, Mollie Gibson, Marion Hardwick and Veronica Wall claimed gold at the recent Mainland Inter Provincial Rowing Championships. Phot supplied.Ashburton rowers have again shown their prowess on the water ahead of the new season with outstanding results at two separate events over the weekend.

Competing at both the Mainland Inter Provincial Championships and a Concept 2 R2K Singles Regatta on Lake Ruataniwha, the names of Ashburton-based rowers featured prominently on the results sheets at both events.

Three boats with Ashburton rowers claimed gold medals at the Inter Provincial champs with the under 20 women’s four of Emma Stagg, Marion Hardwick, Mollie Gibson and Veronica Wall emerging victorious.

Wall then claimed gold in the women’s under 20 single sculls before she and Gibson combined to win the double sculls as well.

Gibson finished fourth in the single sculls and Stagg placing sixth, behind Wall.

Stagg and Hardwick picked up fifth place in the double sculls final while Haxby Hefford combined with Liam Parker to finish sixth in the double sculls final.

Hefford was the other to make his way onto the podium with his effort for bronze in the under 20 men’s single sculls.

Rowers then turned their attention to the singles regatta and Wall picked right up where she left off producing some dazzling performances to win the women’s event.

After cruising through the heat she was in demolition mode in the final, winning by more than 50 seconds from her closest rival.

Hefford finished second in his first heat of the under 19 men’s event and was then third in the A final.

Ged Wall produced a strong performance to win his heat of the under 16 event and then replicated that to finish third in the A final – continuing his progress –  while Paddy Dekker produced two strong rows to earn himself a spot in the B final of the same event.

By Matt Markham © The Ashburton Guardian - 11 October 2018