Redgrave in action for Leander

It was a close-run thing between Leander and the Tideway Scullers' School `A' boat in the men's quad.

Both boats went off at a hectic pace, with Leander able to respond to every assault on their three-quarter length lead for the win.

Poland's Olympic champions Tomasz Kucharski and Robert Sycz claimed victory in the double scull race.

The pair flew into a four-length lead by the quarter-mile mark and were able to reduce their rate to a strong paddle and finished the race in a time of eight minutes and 45 seconds.

British duo Richard Kelly and Mathew Crocker, representing The Tideways School, finished second.

The Fawley heat proved to be a much closer race as the Tiffin School were defeated by the Australian crew from the Sydney Rowing Club.

Although Tiffin went off fastest, a navigation error saw Sydney take the lead and they extended it to a length with an easy rhythm.

Tiffin fought back to close the gap from a three-quarter length to just three feet towards the end of the race but their efforts were in vain.

Durham University `A' did have reasons to celebrate however after they held off the challenge of Imperial College London to win in the Britannia Challenge Cup.