Dragon Boat Race

From our sports correspondent.

As the newest Rotary club in Rotary Wessex, Parley decided they would like to vist some of their fellow clubs in the region. Eyebrows were raised when a dragon boat race was suggested by Wareham club but hey, what could possibly go wrong - they are Rotarians after all.

Suspicions were confirmed when Parley found Wareham had recruited a brunch of ringers from Swanage who have a "win at all costs" reputation, forged by their wrecking ancestory on the dancing ledges. However,it was too late to back out now as the food had been ordered but not delivered!

In the best of three races Parley got off to a storming start and with the throbbing drumboat of their captain had a relatively comfortable win (imagin Ben hur and you get the picture) . But youthful enthusiasm can only get you so far!

In race 2 the cry came up to mind the person in the water. Like in the boat race Parley were forced to vere off course and in the process managed to do the near impossible of capsizing the dragon boat. Instead of stopping to help the Purbeck boat cruised serenely on to claim the second race. After a protest that the person in the water was actually a dummy from the Swanage RNLI store, the result was upheld by the Wareham judges.

The third race proved a more cagey affair. The Purbeck team took an early lead but Parley (taking a wide bearth this time) soon pulled ahead and ran out the winners of the deciding race.

Wareham President Rowan Temple presented the trophy to Parley's Ian Pounds and through clenched teeth hoped they enjoyed it for the time they had it. She also apologised for the unfortunate number of flat tyres on the Parley cars which must have been caused by some sharp objects in the field.

As somewhat shaken Ian pounds responded that he had never been to a Rotary event like this before. However, they were still determined to remain part of the family - even if they wouldn't be visiting Purbekc again for a while.

On a more serious note - a great time was had by all and the fellowship enjoyed by the three clubs will linger long in the memory.