Tim Foster's fall from grace continued on Friday when he lost out to Australian Duncan Free at the Henley Royal Regatta.

Foster, a member of Sir Steve Redgrave's gold medal-winning coxless four in Sydney, was beaten after an epic battle in the Diamond Challenge Sculls.

The Briton's career has been hampered by a persistent back injury and he has struggled to adjust to the life of a single sculler.

After a series of disappointing World Cup results, he viewed the Henley Regatta as an opportunity to restore much-needed confidence.

His emphatic victory on Thursday over Tony Larkman suggested Foster could be back to his best but the forecast proved to be premature.

Free, who rows for the Surfer's Paradise Rowing Club Australia, stormed into an early lead before eventually winning by two thirds of a length.

Sydney pair succeed

Triple Olympic champion Matthew Pinsent and Sydney gold medallist James Cracknell were in better form.

The pair crushed the London Rowing Club in the second round of their Silver Goblets challenge at the Henley Royal Regatta.

Pinsent, who has partnered Sir Steve Redgrave to four Goblets victories, looks set to add a fifth title to his collection after a powerful display on the River Thames.

The final distance of 2 1/4 lengths flattered the London crew, as they had been completely outclassed throughout the coxless pair's encounter.

At the barrier Pinsent and Cracknell led by five lengths.

But in the final stages of the clash they eased down, allowing the London crew to make up lost water.

Elsewhere, the Princess Royal Challenge Cup looks destined to end up in Guin Batten's hands after an impressive second round victory against Susan O'Brien.

Batten, who won a silver medal in Sydney in the Quadruple Sculls, beat O'Brien comfortably.