No separating leading men’s fours in time trials

The British Rowing Senior Championships are under way in Nottingham, with what promised to be a fiercely-fought men’s four competition living up to its billing during the time trials.

The British Rowing Senior Championships are under way in Nottingham, with what promised to be a fiercely-fought men’s four competition living up to its billing during the time trials.

Seven of the GB Rowing Team men’s eight that won World Championship gold in Aiguebelette last month are in action for their clubs in the event, along with medallists from the pair and four.

And there was no separating the front two, with Molesey Boat Club and Leander Club A both crossing the line in 5:51.00.

Moe Sbihi and George Nash were joined in the Molesey crew by U23 rower Tom Marshall and Sam Whittaker, while the Leander A boat was made up of Stewart Innes, Pete Reed, Matt Langridge and Constantine Louloudis.

Just eight-tenths of a second behind was the Leander C crew of Will Warr, Callum McBrierty, Chris Boddy and Matt Rossiter, with the Leander B four of Will Satch, Alex Gregory, Matt Gotrel and Tom Ransley fifth fastest.

Leander also set the pace in the women’s four, with Louisa Reeve and Rosamund Bradbury of the GB women’s eight, Lucinda Gooderham of the World women’s four silver-medallists and Katherine Douglas clocking 6:32.8.

Qualifying for the semi-finals in second place was a Marlow RC, Gloucester RC and Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School composite of Beth Rodford, Ellen Roberts, Molly Harding and Olympic double scull champion Katherine Grainger.

The morning had started with the men’s double scull time trial, which saw Harry Glenister and World U23 rower Tom Barras go quickest for Leander C in 6:17.1. In second were the Leander A crew of World four bronze-medallist Alan Sinclair and Nick Middleton, a late replacement for Angus Groom.

GB’s U23 rowers also impressed in the women’s double time trial, with the World U23 partnership of Georgia Francis and Mathilda Hodgkins-Byrne, representing Sport Imperial and Reading University, setting the fastest time of 6:48.5.

Wallingford RC’s Ellie Piggott and Brianna Stubbs, who won World Championships silver in the lightweight women’s quad in Aiguebelette, were second fastest. Reading RC’s Alice Bowyer and Sam Courty, the latter a women’s four bronze-medallist at the World U23 Championships this year, were third.

The British Rowing Senior Championships continue at Holmes Pierrepont National Water Sport Centre on Saturday afternoon with the semi-finals and finals.

Sunday sees the quads and eights in action. For spectator information and further details about the event, visit http://www.britchamps.org/seniors