TOM Ford, a former captain at Grange School Rowing Club, contested a final with Great Britain’s men’s eight at the European Rowing Championships on Sunday.

They finished in fifth place.

Germany, the defending champions, took gold in convincing fashion ahead of Poland and fast-finishing Netherlands.

Ford against stroked the British boat, which had recovered from a disappointing display in their heat on Friday – when they could only manage fourth – to win a repechage on Saturday.

They were faster again in the final at Racice, near Prague, without being in contention for first prize against a rival they defeated at the Olympic Games last summer.

However Tom Ransley is the only oarsman from that boat, which included Northwich-born Matthew Langridge, that was on duty this weekend.

Ford, a member at Leander Club in Henley since graduating from Newcastle University, made his senior international debut at a World Cup regatta in Belgrade earlier this month.

Great Britain were second there behind the Dutch.

“With 11 of our 13 boats reaching the A final, we can be pleased with the breadth of our squad even if we’d hoped for a few more medals,” said Sir David Tanner, performance director for British Rowing.

“The Europeans are a good early-season – and early Olympiad – test, and we’ve a long way to go [in 2017] with two more World Cups before the world championships in September.

“That gives us time to blood our mainly new rowers, and to build on what we’ve achieved at the weekend.”

Vicky Thornley, in the women’s single scull, captured Britain’s only gold medal.

There were no gongs for the men, while the women’s quad claimed bronze.

Karen Bennett and Holly Norton, in the women's pairs, plus new lightweight double Kat Copeland and Emily Craig also finished third.