MATTHEW Langridge won a silver medal on Sunday as part of Great Britain’s eight at the World Cup in France.

They trailed favourites USA by the finish on Lake Aiguebelette, holding off a late surge from Belarus to take second spot.

It was the crew’s third race of the weekend after they had placed third in Saturday’s first heat, recovering later the same day to qualify for the final after a repechage.

On Sunday Langridge, from Northwich, and company positioned themselves perfectly during the first 500m.

Poland, fourth overall during last month’s European Championships, then came through strongly just after halfway along with Belarus and France.

But the British crew held on behind the leaders throughout, reaching the finish line in 5:43.15.

It marked a return to race action on the international stage for 31-year-old Langridge, who spent the first part of the calendar year recovering from a long-term injury.

“Our rowers stepped up on finals day,” said Sir David Tanner, GB Rowing’s performance director afterwards.

“There were some impressive medals, showing how savvy our team is when it comes to top level racing.”

Of 15 boats to contest a final across 11 classes, Great Britain claimed four gold medals, three silver and as many bronze.

Langridge, a medal-winner at the past two Olympic Games, was one of four changes to a British line-up that had finished third in Belgrade.

Fellow Leander Club member Alan Sinclair and University of London Boat Club’s Nathaniel Reilly O’Donnell were the other new faces along with cox Henry Fieldman.

Scott Durant, reigning Olympic champion Pete Reed, James Foad and Mat Tarrant completed the crew.

The third world cup of the season takes place at Lucerne, in Switzerland, next month.

To watch the men's eight final from Sunday in full, click here: http://bit.ly/1rnaxBN