Athol Hundermark, in his second year as Abingdon School’s first eight coach, produced the star local performance in the Schools Head.

The Abingdon first crew finished second overall behind the mighty Eton in spite of limited practice due to the flooded river in the run-up and “a bit of jockeying with St Pauls” on the Mortlake to Putney row.

Although 25 seconds adrift of Eton at the finish, Abingdon had pushed them hard up to Hammer-smith.

“The guys have come on well,” said Hundermark, who was also pleased with his second eight’s 17th place.

Radley were the only other local boys first eight to shine, finishing eighth.

Ryan Demaine, the Headington School coaching supremo, saw his girls experience quite a week.

His top crew won the champion-ship eights,holding a half-minute advantage over Lady Eleanor Hol-les, their perennial rivals.

Headington repeated this victory in the Women’s Head two days later, although an improved LEH were only six seconds behind the local girls.

Demaine said of his crew, “It is one of the best I have ever put out on the water and there is still a lot of strength to come.”

City of Oxford won the junior fours.

Oxford University women’s coa-ch Andy Green was happy when their Blue Boat finished eighth in the Women’s Head and won the senior honours.

The Dark Blues were also 20 seconds ahead of their Cambridge Boat Race opponents over the Mortlake to Putney course.

And Green’s reserve crew, Osiris, beat their Light Blues counterparts by the same margin.

“I am pleased,” said Green. “It is a nice margin to win by, making you feel comfortable, but not complacent.”

Oxford Brookes came 17th to take the Intermediate 3 Trophy.