Pete Reed admitted Britain’s men’s eight produced a disappointing display to finish third in their preliminary race at Eton Dorney yesterday.

But the Oxford Blue and his crew stroked by fellow two-time Olympic gold medallist and Oxford resident Andy Trigg Hodge can make amends in tomorrow’s final.

France and Poland, who finished first and second will, now have the best lane draws, but Reed was keeping calm.

He said of the leading eight’s performance said: “It wasn’t brilliant, but I’ve spoken to some of the younger guys and said that we (Andy Triggs Hodge and Reed) have had races in the pair and the four to start regattas that haven’t been our best, but we’ve gone on to have good races in the final.”

There was better news for Oxford Brookes alumni, brothers Richard and Peter Chambers, who won their lightweight men’s double sculls heat.

London 2012 lightweight four silver medallists, they race in today’s semi-finals.

Britain’s men’s four featuring Oxford Brookes pair Scott Durant and Matthew Tarrant won their heat as did the quadruple scull containing Leander Club duo Charles Cousins and Peter Lambert.

Oxford’s Olivia Carnegie-Brown and Jess Eddie reached the women’s pairs final after finishing second.

Wallingford RC’s Kathryn Twyman, from Oxford, and Imogen Walsh won their women’s lightweight double sculls heats ahead of a Wallingford duo – Brianna Stubbs, from Headington, and Eleanor Piggott.