It was double delight for Devoran Gig Club last Sunday as the mixed and ladies veterans crews each brought home a trophy from the Two Castles gig race.

Despite earlier forecasts predicting a stiff easterly wind, the weather and sea conditions were perfect for a fast gig rowing race as over twenty men's, ladies, mixed and veterans crews raced from St Anthony's Light to the Falmouth National Maritime Museum.

The mixed crew were defending the trophy they won last year, and faced a tricky situation when rower Steve Holley broke his stretcher bar as the crew practiced a start on the row out to the start line.

A rapid repair involving rope, thole pins and engineering expertise fortunately stood the racing test and the crew crossed the line in an impressive fourth place overall to retain the trophy.

The Devoran ladies veterans crew had a tremendous start leaving all of the other ladies as well as most men's and mixed crews in their wake. A strong challenge from Falmouth ladies meant there was no easing off for just under twenty eight minutes but the Devoran ladies crossed the line victorious.

Jubilant Veterans Captain Julie Heywood said: "What a day. Winning the vets was great but to be the first ladies crew to finish as well far exceeded my expectations. A great end to a strong year for Devoran ladies vets."

It was also double celebration for the two Devoran crew coxwains, Hannah and Colin Davies. With a trophy each, marital harmony was maintained with honours even.

The Devoran mixed crew was Hannah Davies (Cox), Kate Scoley, Rob Wilson, Tony Clarke, Steve Holley, Katie Channon, Jenny Trevithick. The Devoran ladies vets crew was Colin Davies (Cox), Janet Mylod, Jenny Smith, Anne Williams, Gail Henderson, Julie Heywood, Steph Gardner.