Traditionally Coldham Hall Regatta, the first of the season, enjoys either warm pleasant weather or something nearer a tropical monsoon without the warmth.

This year the former applied, with sunshine and a stiff westerly on Saturday, and a lighter and flukier south-westerly on Sunday.

Unsurprisingly, the Allcomers races drew the best turnouts – 16 on Saturday, 18 on Sunday morning and 20, including the two River Cruisers, for midday Sunday.

The Norfolks came out on top on handicap, taking the first three places on Saturday, ditto on Sunday morning, while another, sailed by John Ellis, won the Local Boats Award.

Meanwhile, in the lunchtime series, the trophies went to Kevin Edwards and John Ellis.

Individually Wayfarers had the best total with eight boats, edging ahead of the seven Norfolks and five Yeomans as well as two Cruisers.

These last had mixed fortunes in their two races for the Merlin Challenge Cup.

On Saturday Kevin Rhead ruled aboard May when Bob Branscombe broke Anna's gaff and perforce retired.

Roles reversed on Sunday when Branscombe came in first, to take the trophy, thanks to Rhead spending some time aground in Train Reach and consequently retiring.

Kim Mayfield's two wins and a second sufficed to earn him the Wayfarer honours in a closely fought competition with Bill Clark his nearest rival.

The Norfolks were more clear cut, and, despite the Edwards family joining in on Sunday with some success, David Mackley chalked up three wins, including the decisive final race in which, after adding in the Wayfarer final race, he added the Harry Last Trophy to the series award.

David Woolston and David Trower fought out the Yeomans, the former taking the honours with two wins and a second against Trower's win and two seconds.