Under the leadership of new president, Lucy Roberts, the Oxford University Women’s Lightweight RC have made a determined start and claimed two victories at the Pairs Head on London’s Tideway, writes John Wiggins.

These came not only for the lightweight doubles of Hannah Farley and Sarah Lucas in the Elite event, but also for Danielle Edmunds and Jowita Mieszkowska in the IM3 category.

There was choppy water for both coxless pairs and double sculls racing from Chiswick, over 4,500m on an outgoing tide to finish a little below Hammersmith Bridge on the Harrods Wall.

Wallingford’s Masters D double of Mike Edge and Pete King missed out on retaining their title, but at 50th, were the highest placed of the local boats and were second in their class.

Clubmates, Alice Brown and Julia Wilks, were also in a Masters D double and in second place for their event.

But there was yet another victory for Wallingford’s Colin Cusack and Sean Morris, these days ageing into the Masters H category for pairs.

Falcon RC’s top result was a second place for Lil Cochrane and Cam Scarf in the Women’s Masters C double.

City of Oxford’s Chris Thomson and Gerard Simmonds (Masters C pair) also came second in their category, while the there were thirdplaced finishes for City’s IM1 pair and Abingdon’s doubles respectively in Masters C and Mixed Masters D.

The Great Ouse was the scene of the Bedford Autumn Fours and Small Boats Head.

Falcon’s J16 scullers took their opportunity and while the quad finished a frustrating second after being blocked by a slower crew, the same boys had a clear run to take the top two slots in doubles.

Joel Garden and Rory Pearce came home just two seconds ahead of Martin Benfeghoul and Josh Simmons.

In a big field of 58 scullers, Benfeghoul added to the haul as joint winner in the single scull.

Falcon’s Emily Tadesse and Cicely Lobreglio were third of 17 boats, only seven seconds adrift of the winners.