Not to be outdone and to continue the club's tradition of accepting a challenge, Llanion Warriors ladies vets team successfully completed the annual 22-mile Great River Race last month.

A field of nearly 300 craft took to the Thames in a hugely colourful event (as can be seen on the GRR website), with many of the crews in wonderfully imaginative fancy dress.

After a cold night of nervous anticipation under canvas, the race started at Millwall Slip (Greenwich) at 12 noon and culminated at Ham (Richmond), to the rapturous applause of a huge local crowd and the team's supporters.

The team of six (Myra Alford, Ester McClean, Maureen Osborne, Debbie Davies, Sue Taylor and Kieran Wilkins) had put themselves through months of gruelling training, just like their male club mates, who had completed the Eddystone Lighthouse race weeks before. Sue's husband, Mark, went along as logistical support and he also had the vital role of ensuring the champagne was on ice at Ham.

The team was encouraged by large numbers of people who lined the banks at every vantage point and the 28 bridges to be negotiated. When reflecting on the race days later, all mentioned the extra drive they felt as they passed Westminster Palace, Tower Bridge, London Eye and the other famous landmarks. The crowd were also encouraged to cheer by the team's rendition of ogi ogi ogi, as they passed under each of the bridges.

The elation of completing the race in two hours, 52 minutes and 31 seconds, was soon heightened by the news that they had achieved second place in the women's vets Celtic longboat class, and third place overall for vets in all categories.

Then, to add further joy, a correction by the judges some weeks later placed the team as first in their category. The whole team and their mascot, 'Gilbert' the cross-eyed dragon, were ecstatic with the result and decided en bloc to have a campfire celebration in their picturesque Richmond Park HQ. By late evening the adrenalin that had spurred them to row so well was still flowing and in combination with the champagne was now masking the inevitable fatigue.

Despite the aches and pains, all have vowed to return in 2010 to attempt to repeat this stunning performance from the GRR first-timers.

Well done girls, everyone in the club is very proud of your achievement.