Snug once more under our shiny new events shelter (although yet again we were blessed with sunshine), both Open and Blades crew prepared to take on 21 other teams. Exe-Calibre Blades started their day with a 200m heat against Typhoon Tigers and Hurricanes, coming third with a good time of 50.10 - especially good when you consider that a few late drop-outs had left them with only 17 paddlers.

Exe-Calibre Open started their assault with a great run in their heat against TAO and Worcester Snapdragons, recording an excellent time of 45.84 seconds and coming in first to secure their position in the semi finals. This semi saw them scorching down the course in 44.86 seconds, coming in second to Amathus who did 42.98 secs, meaning we were a mere 1.88 seconds behind them. We certainly didn't make it easy for them! In fact Amathus only went slightly quicker than this in their Major final (42.45 secs) so we really did keep right on their tail! Great helming by Sparky!

The Blades then put up a great fight in their tail race, coming in just 0.44 secs behind Henley (a Premier crew) and recording a consistent time of 50.13 secs.

Yet another Minor Final for the Open crew! This was a closely fought race with Worcester Dragons just taking first in 45.71 secs, Exe-Calibre in second with 46.66 secs and Hurricanes in third with 46.85. So, the Open crew took 5th place overall for the 200m and of course, earned themselves 16 league points in the process.

A quick turnaround and it was on to the 500m (well, actually about 425m apparently!). The first heat for the Open crew saw them lining up against Secklow 100 and Typhoon Fury. This has to have been one of the most convincingly won races for Exe-Calibre this season. A blistering start saw the boat shooting out of the blocks and, after the transition, opening up an unassailable lead - we sailed over the finish line wondering where the other boats had gone! Our time was 1 min 42.20 - 4 seconds ahead of Typhoon and a massive SEVEN seconds ahead of Secklow 100 - so much for their shiny new Plastex boat!!

This win placed the Open crew into the Cup semi's and gave them a well-deserved break at last! They were now free to cheer on the Blades in their heat against Pershore Phoenix and Kingston Royals. This tough heat saw the 17 Blades paddlers fighting hard down the course and recording a very respectable time of 1 min 49.14 - faster than Secklow 100 (a Premier crew supposedly!).

The Blades were now in the Plate Rep and after a briefing by Lisa were full of winning attitude (Grrr!). They were much more focussed on the start and as a result got away quicker, matching Typhoon Tigers stroke for stroke down the course. They were just pipped at the post - clocking a quicker time of 1 min 48.85 just behind Typhoon in 1 min 48.73.

The Open crew were then relaxed, revived and raring to go for their Cup semi. They lined up against Kingston Royals and Raging Dragons determined to fight for that Major final place. Much faffing about on the start left the other crews fazed, but not ice-cool Exe-Calibre. The focus in the boat was palpable! Another huge start and we were clinging to Kingston all the way down the course - finishing just behind them having recorded an even faster time of 1 min 40.22 - just 1.22 secs behind one of the best Premier crews in the country. That Major final is getting closer and closer! However, on this occasion - once more we had to settle for the Minor final!

The Blades then had another hard fought battle for their Plate tail - they came back strongly at the end, but it was not enough to beat Kingston Pretenders - but was just a fraction of a second behind them and another fraction of a second ahead of Typhoon Fury. So, a brilliant second outing for the trusty Blades team, we just need a few more bodies for the next race event!

The last 450m of the day for Exe-Calibre was the Open crew's Minor final. With 16 points already in the bag, and Exe-Calibre now uncatchable in the Standard league for both 200m and 500m, a very confident and buoyant bunch of paddlers climbed into the boat for their last race of the day. Unfortunately Hurricanes good time in their semi had placed them in the better lane draw, so we set off in Lane 3, trying to avoid floating logs (or were they crocodiles?) and the overhanging branches of trees! Despite a great effort, we just couldn't get back up on Hurricanes or Worcester Dragons and had to be content with third place, and sixth overall in the competition.

Exhaustion finally caught up with Lisa, so Lauren bravely stepped into the breach and took on the helming for the combination Cru-Exe team in the Ladies race. With five crews, the competition was tough and we gained fifth place, with the usual suspects Kingston Ladies, taking the title!

So, another excellent race event - 32 league points for Exe-Calibre Open, which consolidates our position at the top of the Standard League. A fabulous second outing for the Blades - we are looking forward to seeing much more of them in the future, especially at the race events in 2011.

Bring on the last league event of the season at Royal Albert Docks, and then the National Cup. Will Exe-Calibre Open get into that Major Final this season?

Thanks to all who contributed to the day by paddling, drumming, supporting or helming. Every one of you is equally important to the teams.