OXFORD Brookes’s crews chalked up a strong set of results, both at home and on the continent, writes JOHN WIGGINS.

The university club’s top crews showed some encouraging racing form ahead of the Henley Royal Regatta while competing in the Netherlands.

At the Holland Beker Regatta the men’s eight in both days’ racing came in third behind Leander and locals, Nereus – winners at Henley last year.

But as both of those will be competing in the higher status Ladies Plate at Henley, the Oxford crew have only incoming American college crews to contend with in the Temple Challenge Cup.

The Brookes women’s eight were up against some of the best in Europe but also got the racing experience they needed with a third place finish ahead of the Henley Women’s Regatta next week.

The coxless four staged a dramatic finish to claim victory, while the coxed four was second to a local student crew.

Imogen Mackie won the lightweight U23 single, while in GB development boats there were other wins for Jamie Copus (quad) and Ben Reeves (U23 four).

Back in home waters, Brookes’ second and third level crews won five races between them at the Metropolitan Regatta, held at Dorney Lake.

In the eights, the women won IM2, before the men took IM2 – ahead of Radley College – and IM3.

The success kept coming in the men’s IM1 quads, who claimed a one-two finish, while Georgina Phillips won in IM2 singles.

The winning crews had to race up a division the following day, yielding a further win in the IM1 eights.

There was also a victory for the IM1 quad, with Abingdon School coming in second.

Other local clubs performed well.

Oxford University Women were second in singles and pairs, Tilly Catlin, from St Edward’s, combined with Putney High School’s Emma Andrews to win the senior pairs.

Wallingford had a good regatta, with a win for their women’s IM2 coxed four, plus Lisa Owen and Hannah Garvey in the Lightweight Elite double.

City of Oxford had crews racing at The Met, but their success came at the Peterborough Spring Regatta.

It came via their men’s IM3 coxed four of William Boardman, Stewart Elliston, Jason Bowyer, Adam Wigley and cox, Sophia Levine.

Only the narrowest of margins keeping them from adding the IM2 trophy.