Five competitors from Oxfordshire schools just missed out a medal when representing Great Britain in Lithuania.

Joel Cooper, Matthew Carter and cox Ian Middleton, all from Abingdon School, plus Oli Knight and stroke Titus Morley, both from St Edward’s, Oxford, were in the men’s eights, who had to settle for fourth place.

At halfway in the final, Britain, in fourth, were two seconds off the leaders, Serbia, the European junior champions.

Britain then overtook Romania, but were themselves passed by Italy. In spite of pushing hard, they remained in fourth, behind Germany, Italy and Serbia, although less than two seconds covered all four at the finish.

With Radley products Charlie Elwes and Robbie Wendin in the stern seats, Britain’s coxed four finished sixth in their final.

There will be a feast of rowing on the Isis this weekend, with the Oxford City Royal Regatta tomorrow and the Oxford Sprint Regatta on Sunday.

A record entry has been received for the Royal Regatta, which dates back to 1841.