A big field of 40 paddlers took to Bonville Creek for last Saturday's race and after much deliberation the double of Graham Gee and Peter McDonald were acclaimed winners.

It should have been a clear-cut decision as they won with a margin of more than 35 seconds from Chris Berridge and the fast finishing match racing duo of Stuart Fawle [3rd] and Jules Crawshaw [4th]. It was a fine effort by the G-man who is noted for his skill in 'skippering' double kayak crews.

Conditions were ideal thus allowing backmarkers Stuart and Jules the opportunity to almost steal the race.

The falsely acclaimed winner, Bob Cameron [equal 5th] consoled himself by taking home the winners wine. Bob had a good race in the company of the K2 of Norelle Reeves and Col Cowie. Their two kayaks were inseparable throughout the 50 minute battle.

Other combinations to stand out were Team Lindsay [Peter/Kath], Team Rodda/ Layton, Team Rutter [Ros/ Allen] and Team Lindsay [Barb/John].

In all there were 12 double kayaks in the field. The last to finish was the K2 combination of Les Custer and Mike Mackney. This was their maiden voyage as a crew thus a lot of experimentation was necessary to get the best out of the speedy craft.

Expert judgement is still awaited on the efforts of the new combination of Team Grant/Wallis [17th]. Their individual form suggests pot-ential, but not quite so much as the handicapper anticipated.

The fancied team of Rose Coote and Mickey O'Brien crumbled before the halfway mark with a myriad of problems which in post-race review amounted to incompatibility.

New time trials were posted by Fiona Berridge, Garth Reilly, Fiona Reilly and Mark Adoms while Ken Buckley claimed the black shirt for last place.

Racing continues this Saturday with a 30 minute race on Bonville Creek starting at 4pm from Moller Drive Bonville Waters.