OXFORD Brookes University triumphed in two eights events at Henley Royal Regatta, but Headington School were outgunned in the quad, writes John Wiggins.

Brookes have shown strength in depth all season and, to the delight of all supporters, enjoyed victory in both the student Temple Challenge Cup and the intermediate eights event, the Ladies Plate.

In the former, Brookes had two crews in the quarter-finals.

Although one bowed out, their A boat of Chris Tebb, Chris Zahn, Will Hall, Rob Stirling, Sam Nunn, Gareth Syphas, Brendan Edwards, Matt Hnatiw and cox Charlie Clarke progressed to the final, where they beat University of London by three-quarters of a length.

Less than an hour later it was the turn of the Brookes/Taurus (alumni)/Oxford University crew to take on a fledgling under 23 Great Britain combination in their final.

Josh Bugajski, Robbie Massey, Matthew Aldridge, Rory Gibbs, Michael Glover, Morgan Bolding, Henry Swarbrick, James Stanhope and cox Harry Brightmore led from the start, finishing nearly a length ahead in the fastest time of the regatta, 6mins 1sec.

Coach, Henry Bailhache-Webb declared: “It’s been the most incredible year to be part of Oxford Brookes University Boat Club.

“The enjoyment of training our students up into multiple Henley winners and into international standard oarsmen and women gives all of the coaching staff a satisfaction that is hard to match.”

“We look forward to seeing just how high our athletes can rise in the next year.

“As coaches we are looking to continue to refine and develop the experience and training programme for the current and new students coming to us in September.

“We aim is to give the most enjoyable University rowing experience in the world.”

Headington School’s hopes of a win in the Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup for junior women’s quads were dashed in the semi-finals by the powerhouse of Gloucester Rowing Club.

With more than a two-stone average weight advantage, their rivals just sculled through in the closing minute to win by a few feet before going on to comfortably triumph in the final.

The St Edward’s School boys eight faced a similar two-stone shortfall against Radley College in the second round of the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup.

A spirited final attack by Teddies brought them close to their rivals, but not near enough to threaten their lead.

Abingdon School also went out on the same day to Shiplake College, who then lost to Radley in the semi-final.

The final took them to face Scotch College, Melbourne, Australia who, having beaten the best of British and USA, went on to take the trophy overseas for the first time in nearly a decade.

The international events largely went overseas, but GB won in the four with Brookes’ Matt Tarrant and former Abingdon School pupil, Matt Rossiter.