OXFORDSHIRE rower Anna Watkins struck Olympic gold at Eton Dorney today.

The 29-year-old Leander Club member won the women's double sculls alongside Katherine Grainger to give Britain their second rowing gold of the Games.

Victory was all the more sweet as Grainger had won silver at the last three Olympics.

Britain started strongly to achieve a 1.4-second lead over Australia at halfway.

They maintained their momentum to power home in 6mins 55.82secs, with the Aussies second in 6.58.55.

Their gold medal was sandwiched by two British bronzes, the first of which was won by Henley's Will Satch alongside George Nash in the men's pair.

Completing the treble was Alan Campbell, who secured third in the men's single sculls.

Satch and Nash were never in contention for gold against all-conquering New Zealand pair Eric Murray and Hamish Bond.

But they almost snatched second before being pipped by France in the final 500m.

The British pair clocked 6.21.77 to France's 6.21.11.

Officials redrew the lanes so that seeded crews got the advantage of winning their semi-finals.A strong crosswind meant that lane six was actually the best to row in as it offered the most protection in these conditions.

The first final of the day saw Britain's men's quadruple sculls finish fifth after being third at halfway.

The crew, featuring Leander trio Steve Rowbotham, Tom Solesbury and Matt Wells alongside Charles Cousins, came home in 5.49.19 - four seconds off a medal.