TEENAGER Emily Ford has matched her brother’s feat and rowed abroad in Great Britain’s colours.

The Grange School Rowing Club star raced against the fastest crews on the continent at last weekend’s Munich Junior International Regatta.

A fortnight earlier her place had been earmarked for someone else.

“It’s been a mad few weeks,” said Emily, whose older brother Ed represented Great Britain while still a pupil at the Hartford school back in 2007.

“I was told after a training camp last month that I hadn’t done enough to be picked, but I improved at the junior trials and was able to change the coach’s mind.”

She repaid the selectors’ faith, finishing fifth in the single scull B final in Germany.

The result was the same with Annabel Rogers (Runcorn RC) in a double scull.

“I’m really happy with how I did,” said Emily.

“For me, it was an achievement just to be there and it didn’t really sink in what I had achieved until we went out on the water to practice the night before.

“Rowers from all of the other countries were there in their national team kit and I was there in mine; it was strange, but exciting at the same time too.”

Northwich rowing club’s newest recruit Lucy Burgess, first in February’s GB Rowing’s long distance trial for juniors, returned from Munich with two medals.

The 18-year-old was part of the fastest quad scull on the first day in Munich, adding a second place finish in the same category against different crews the following day.

Emily said: “It was good to have a familiar face in Lucy there too.

“We talked through everything and looked after each other, which definitely helped me.

“Ed gave me advice too, telling me to do my best and enjoy the experience.”

The pair turn their attention next to the final junior team trials at the National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham in July, when places at the World Championship this summer will be up for grabs.