READING University student Mathilda Hodgkins-Byrne claimed third place in the women’s single at the GB Rowing Senior and U23 Trials at Caversham.

The Reading Boat Club member finished behind Leander’s Vicky Thonrley, who led from near the start before holding off the fightback of clubmate Jess Leyden to win by a third of a length Moe Sbihi (Molesey) and Will Satch (Leander) edged out Jacob Dawson and Matt Rossiter (both Leander) on the line in the men’s pair.

The Olympic gold medallists held the lead for much of the race, but Mat Tarrant and Stewart Innes were challenging neck and neck with 100 metres to go, until a mechanical problem allowed Sbihi and Satch to move out to take the win.

Karen Bennett and Holy Norton (both Leander) took a comfortable win in the women’s pair, three seconds up on Cambridge University duo Holly Hill and Melissa Wilson.

Rebecca Shorten (Imperial) and Josephine Wratten (Leander) pushed the Leander pairing of Fiona Gammond and Katherine Douglas into fourth.

Young Scot Josh Armstrong looked set to cause the biggest upset of the day, leading a strong quintet of Leander scullers through the 1,000m mark of the men’s single final. The experience of Olympians John Collins, Jonny Walton and Jack Beaumont paid off in the second half of the race, pulling through to take the podium positions.

Sir David Tanner, British Rowing Performance Director, said: “We’ve had a great weekend of racing, with strong performances from returning Olympians and some younger rowers looking to make an impression. Senior and U23 trials are always a great way to see where we are as a team ahead of the international racing season and the athletes here will have given the coaches plenty of food for thought.”