WALLINGFORD Rowing Club scooped five titles medals at the Henley Masters Regatta, writes John Wiggins.

Having come away with the Victor Ludorum at the British Rowing Masters Championships in June, Wallingford felt confident going into the last of the three versions of ‘Henley’, for titles in age categories B (over 36) to G (over 65).

Despite blustery conditions and the presence of many strong overseas competitors, the club were second only to hosts Upper Thames RC in titles won.

There was a return to form for Colin Cusack and Sean Morris in the G pair, while Charles Parry teamed up with former Wallingford member Tom Bishop (Quintin) to win in the G double.

This experienced quartet then combined to land the G quad sculls.

Also winning in quads were Wallingford’s D category women (Rachel Edge, Julia Wilks, Alice Brown and Jenny Taylor) to extend their unbeaten season.

The D category men, Mike Edge, Pete King, Steve Pearson and Richard Smith, won in a four steered by Sara Ball.

Wallingford lost out in three semi-finals (D coxless fours, E quads and the women’s C eight) as did City of Oxford’s D double, while Andy Hull was a finalist in the B single category.

Abingdon RC’s Masters took their chances on the River Taff at Llandaff Regatta, Cardiff, with multiple success.

Dave Reeve won in the Masters B single and Paul Godsafe in the D event, before they joined up to win the IM2 double event.

Kingston Regatta saw success for City of Oxford’s junior girls in their final preparation for this weekend’s British Junior Championships.

Wins came for Elise Stretton and Eilish Turner-Frick in the J15 and J14 single sculls respectively as well as for Bella Bowley and Josie Nash in the J14 double scull.

Oxford University’s lightweight women dominated the IM2 and novice double sculls as well as winning the IM3 quad sculls.

Many of the current Olympic team achieved early GB experience as students.

And so will many Oxfordshire crews at this week’s European Universities Games where the team includes both men’s and women’s eights from Oxford Brookes.

Brookes also provide the lightweight men’s double while Oxford’s Flo Pickles is in the single. At the EUSA regatta in Zagreb, Croatia there will be two women’s lightweight quads: one from Oxford University while local man and former St Edward’s pupil, Ed Bloomfield coaches the other from University of Bristol.