MATTHEW Langridge, from Northwich, will have an opportunity to go for gold at the Olympic Games in Brazil on Saturday.

He was part of Team GB men’s eight that scored a dominant victory in their heat on the water at Rio, qualifying directly for the final this weekend.

They led by half a boat-length over rivals from Netherlands and New Zealand after 500m, a gap that had widened by the race’s half-way mark.

Langridge, along with crewmates Scott Durant, Tom Ransley, Andrew Triggs Hodge, Matt Gotrel, Pete Reed, Paul Bennett, stroke Will Satch and cox Phelan Hill, then maintained that gap through the next quarter.

They crossed the line in 5.34.230 ahead of the Dutch – by whom they were beaten convincingly at a World Cup regatta at Lucerne in May – with the Kiwis in third.

Italy, a late invite to the regatta following Russia’s exclusion, trailed in fourth.

The British, world champions in the boat category for the past three years, will come face-to-face with Germany in Saturday’s race for the top prize.

Their old foes, won gold in London four years ago, were fastest in the second heat ahead of USA.

Langridge, a former Hartford High School pupil who first tried the sport at Northwich Rowing Club as a teenager, has won medals – one silver, the other bronze – in the men’s eight at each of the past two Olympics.

Reaction to follow.