IT was a disappointing opening day for Worcester Rowing Club at Henley Royal Regatta.

Worcester went out of the Britannia Cup in the first round, suffering a four-length defeat against Dutch crew Groninger Studenten.

The Princess Elizabeth Cup for schools saw losses for both the King's School, who went down by three lengths to their namesakes from Parramatta, Australia, and the Royal Grammar School, who were pipped by two-thirds of a length by Redwood High School from the United States.

Hereford, however, progressed in two events. They beat Bedford by a length in the Wyfold Cup, while Wallingford suffered a three-quarters of a length defeat in the Thames Cup.