NORTHWICH Rowing Club could not upset one of the favourites to win the Fawley Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta.

A junior men’s quad stroked by George Lawton, with Harry Taylor, Kevin Dudley and Greg Murphy on board, exited this year’s edition at the second-round stage yesterday, Thursday.

They matched the speed and power of Leander Club – who included former Grange School Rowing Club sculler Ben Holt in their line-up – during the early exchanges.

However the boats were separated by three lengths at the finish.

It brings to an end Northwich’s involvement following first-round defeats for another junior men’s quad – pitted against their club-mates in the draw – and a junior women’s quad on Wednesday afternoon.

Leander, a seeded crew, return to action against German rivals Frankfurter in Friday’s final race.