WHILE the next generation were testing themselves at Reading Town Regatta, those more established in the sport were gearing up for Henley Royal Regatta, writes John Wiggins.

Arguably the most prestigious rowing event in the world comes to the town on the Oxfordshire border this week.

And the county’s rowers will be at the heart of the action, with many expected to be collecting the coveted medals after Sunday’s finals.

Aside from the locals racing in the Great Britain crews, Oxford Brookes University are tipped to be the most likely to triumph again.

Such is the size and depth of their squad, they have crews in each of the Ladies Plate and the Temple Challenge Cup events.

At last Friday’s qualification event, Brookes saw one of these eights come through, as well as the women’s entry for the Remenham Trophy.

Wallingford RC have pre-qualified in the Thames Cup for club eights, with City of Oxford, but also secured entry for their coxed four and the new women’s double sculls with Katie Greves and Headington pupil, Mattea Wuethrich.

Other selections include the Abingdon School alumnus and former international sculler Charles Cousins, in the Diamond Sculls and, in the junior boys eights, both Radley College and St Edward’s School.

At Reading Town Regatta, Abingdon School’s under 15s came away with wins in both the eights and fours.

They also enjoyed success in the novice events, at the expense of local rivals, Radley and St Edward’s.

Abingdon also won the J14 Tier 2 octuples, while St Edward’s triumphed in the J14 quad sculls for both boys and girls, while the boys also prevailed in Tier 1 and Tier 2 events

The Oxford University Lightweight Women’s BC came away with a win in the Tier 1 double sculls.

At the Peterborough Junior Championships, City of Oxford had a win for the Band 1 J14 double scull.

While at the Egham Regatta, Hinksey Sculling School enjoyed success in the J18 doubles, WJ14 B quads and, from that crew, Bea Ferry in the WJ14 single.