A WORCESTER club crew starred for England with gold medals at the Home Internationals Rowing Regatta.

They won the eights event with Molesey competitors and also claimed silvers in the coxless fours for their nation in Cardiff.

Tom Selby, Damien Bradley, David Hopkins and Tim Woodman were picked after impressing at Henley Royal Regatta and during selection time trials in Caversham, near Reading.

Taking on the best of the crews from the home nations in the coxless fours, the Worcester crew led for most of the way having broken from the pack with only Ireland in contention.

But, in the dying stages of the race, Ireland just managed to get a nose in front to clinch the gold.

However, for the eights event, the Worcester four teamed up with Molesey of London’s coxed four.

A tough contest ensued with a photo finish leaving spectators on edge waiting for the result.

England won gold with Scotland taking the silver. 

Bradley said: “It was a really proud moment for me to put on the England kit and represent my country.

“It made all the hard work of the last 18 months of solid training mean so much.” 

Worcester club captain Dom O’Loghlin said: “The quality of the wins and the chance for a local Worcester crew to be selected to row for England and deliver those wins has been a dream come true for the whole club.

“We are extremely proud of them and their success on behalf of the faithful city.” 

At the royal regatta, the four were drawn against a tough Henley club crew of Leander rowers in the Wyfold Challenge Cup heats.

Following a brave effort, they were just edged out at the end in a strong headwind after leading at one stage.

Two rowers collapsed in the boat from exhaustion, according to O’Loghlin, with Hopkins and Bradley heading off to the medical centre in wheelchairs followed by Selby, who had breathing difficulties.

O’Loghlin added: “Our crews fought every stroke of that race with all they could muster.

“Having witnessed it all, I have to say it was the most emotional piece of rowing I have ever witnessed in two-and-a-half decades in the sport.

“The four guys represented their club incredibly well and with such tenacity.”