TOM and Emily Ford improved on their performances in the first World Cup regatta of the season when they represented Great Britain a second time.

The former Grange School students helped crews they were part of to reach their respective finals at Linz in Austria.

Tom stroked a men’s four, made up of fellow Leander Club members James Johnston, Adam Neill and Jacob Dawson, to fourth place – just half a length adrift of bronze medal-winners Germany.

A late charge to the finish in Saturday’s second semi-final had earned for them a chance to challenge for a podium position.

The same combination, save for Neill’s spot being taken by stand-in Callum McBrierty after he had been taken ill, had been fifth in Belgrade earlier this month.

Emily starred in a women’s eight that pushed Austrialia hard in their final, keeping up the pressure for the whole of a 2,000m race.

However a new-look crew, changed completely from one that took silver in Serbia, crossed the line half a boat-length down and had to settle for fourth.

“This regatta has set a benchmark of where we need to be going into the European and World Championships [later this year],” said Brendan Purcell, British Rowing’s director of performance.

Jack Beaumont and Angus Groom won Great Britain’s second gold on Sunday as the team added four medals to the three they had won the previous day.

The women’s four took silver in a great battle with Australia, as did the men’s eight behind Germany, while the women’s pair of Rowan McKellar and Hattie Taylor took a brilliant bronze medal.

Purcell added: “We’re very pleased to come away from a very competitive regatta with seven medals, including very impressive golds.”

Results

World Rowing Cup II

Linz, Austria

Sunday, June 24

A finals

Men’s four: 1, Australia 5:50.700; 2, Romania 5:53.760; 3, Germany 5:56.600; 4, Great Britain II (James Johnston, Adam Neill, Jacob Dawson, Tom Ford) 5:57.980; 5, Great Britain I 5:58.790; 6, Poland 6:08.430

Women’s eight: 1, Netherlands 6:03.780; 2, New Zealand 6:05.560; 3, Australia 6:09.550; 4, Great Britain (Sara Parfett, Emily Ford, Rebecca Chin, Jo Wratten, Katherine Douglas, Caragh McMurtry, Holly Hill, Sam Courty and cox Matilda Horn) 6:10.700; 5, Romania 6:14.360; 6, China 6:25.640