EVESHAM’S masters and senior crews journeyed to the prestigious Veteran Fours Head to compete from Putney to Chiswick against the clock.

There was a huge entry from more than 70 London-based, national and international clubs.

Starting from Tideway Scullers Rowing Club and in a 10-mile outing including two hours on the water and the upstream flood tide race, Golden Oldies' Rich Evans, Rob Buckley, Norman Baldwin and Francis Pinkerton in the E4- event took third place out of seven in their age category.

They started 114th and moved up 40 places to 74th overall in a time of 21.00.8 while beating local rivals Avon County by eight seconds.

In the WE4x- women's event rowing captain Carol Lovelock, Julie Foster, Tracy Goldstraw and Liz Stranks started 160th and although slipping six places to 176th overall in a time of 23.46.9 came eighth out of 13 in their event in their first attempt on the course.

Women’s coach Pauline Pollard said: “The crews train and compete all year round and it’s really great to see four dedicated crews from Evesham taking part and performing so well in such a challenging event.”

The E4+ crew of Tony Rowland, Simon Edwards, Richard Wood and Richard Forest, ably coxed by Amie Jones, faced stiff competition and finished sixth in their event in 23.50.07.

David Pollard, Steve Penrose, Simon Andrews and Mark Repton with Rosie Macdonald coxing for the first time on the Thames started at 189th in the F4+ section.

While negotiating strong flows, cross winds, sharp bends and Hammersmith, Barnes and Chiswick bridges they moved up 36 places to 153th overall in 22.57.7.

Macdonald said: “Of course I would have liked our crew to win a medal but just to be part of this competition was an amazing experience that I shall never forget.

"It takes coxing skills to a new level when you have to compete against the best in the country on one of the most famous and difficult courses and I have the coaches to thank for giving me this opportunity.”