CREWS from Worcester Rowing Club tackled the demanding 4.25-mile Tideway course in London used for the Oxford and Cambridge University Boat Race.

The rowers had to dip into their stamina pool and show good course knowledge to make maximum use of the strong currents.

Worcester's best results were in the Veterans Four Head on Sunday which catered for competitors aged over 27.

Two crews finished second and third in the veteran B coxed four event behind a fast team from University of London Tyrians.

Annie O'Connell, Jim Swann, Chris Couper, Sam Dennis and Rob Parker finished in a good time of 21 minutes eight seconds.

Just behind were Laura Neath, Rob Parker, Richard Heath, Andrew Greenway and Steen McCollin who clocked a creditable 22-15.

Several international crews boosted the Fours Head with 520 high-quality teams competing in total the day before.

Worcester's coxless four of McCollin, Parker, Nigel Steele and Fergus Rooksby were impeded by a crew from Cambridge and finished in a time of 22-17.

The coxed four of O'Connell, Heath, Couper, Dennis and Greenway had mechanical problems with the boat, ending up in 21-54.

Both crews were disappointed with their rows in a mixed set of overall results at the weekend but they all enjoyed the challenge of a historic course.