HEREFORD Rowing Club women beat off tough competition to get a second and third place at the annual Worcester Head of the River Race.

Hereford sent several crews to compete against crews from all over the country over the gruelling six-kilometre stretch of the Severn.

Hereford women's novice coxless quad of Steph Bissell, Katie Llewellin, Kate Tatchell and Holly Airbright completed the course in a respectable time to pick up a second place result behind a crew from the University of London Women's Boat Club.

The women's senior three eight of Jo Cross, Charlie Stewart, Nicky Marriott, Debbie Probert, Veronica Preedy, Julie Ward, Emma Poole, Lucy Head and Robin Morris (coxswain) rowed well to comfortably pick up a third place result behind, once again a crew from University of London and also a crew from Stratford BC.

Another notable achievement came from the club's up-and-coming talent, a mixed novice coxed eight consisting of T Jones, H Birch, K Bowcombe, R Crouse, K Yau, K Apperley Hatch, G Olds, S Wood, T Bowcombe and Trevor Pretty (cox).

Although the crew did not make any rankings, they completed the course twice in strenuous conditions.