TOM Ford hopes his performance during a trial for the British rowing team will have made an impression on selectors.

He joined forces with fellow Leander Club member Jacob Dawson in the men’s pair and together they took second spot in the A final at Caversham on Sunday.

“There were a lot of quick combinations out there challenging for places,” said Ford, who is from Holmes Chapel.

“That made it tough, but our aim was to challenge for a win and I think we did that.”

Ford and Dawson had prevailed in their semi-final the previous day after classifying third in a time trial earlier the same morning.

James Rudkin (Newcastle University) and Josh Bugajski (Oxford Brookes University) hit the front from the start in Sunday’s final and held station to take the win.

The field opened up after 1,500m but Ford and Dawson held off the challenge of clubmates Harry Glenister and George Rossiter in a sprint to the line to finish as runners-up.

Emily Ford, Tom’s younger sister and like him a former captain at Grange School Rowing Club in Northwich, was a victor in the women’s pair B final with Sara Parfett (University of London) to rank seventh overall.

They had occupied the same position after a time trial and took fourth spot in the first semi-final on Saturday afternoon.

“The standard of racing was exceptional and showed how well the squads have come through their winter training programme,” said Brandal Purcell, British Rowing’s director of performance.