A TEENAGE duo that won a silver medal at last month’s National Schools’ Regatta lead Northwich Rowing Club’s challenge at another prestigious event this weekend.

Lucy Gillbanks and Beth Willford-Dutton contest the Rayner Cup for junior double sculls at Henley Women’s Regatta, which starts on Friday.

Clubmates Jess Swindells and Abigail Davies do the same.

They form part of a 28-strong field that will be reduced to 16 after a time trial on Saturday morning.

India Trigg, Imogen Wolstencroft, Anya George and Hannah Cooney make up a junior quad scull in the Bea Langridge Trophy.

Northwich’s contingent is completed by Alison Green, who races in a senior single scull.

She prepared to row the famous course by taking part in the British Masters Championships in Nottingham on Saturday, finishing fifth overall in her boat class.

“It’s a really exciting fortnight ahead,” said coach Rachel Hooper.

“We’ll also be sending two women’s quads to qualifiers for Henley Royal Regatta next week along with our boys’ crews.”

Gillbanks and Willford-Dutton followed a victory at Nottingham City Regatta by finishing as runners-up in the Championship double at the National Schools’ competition.

Third fastest in a time trial, they went on to win their semi-final before classifying second behind Headington School in the final.

Neighbours Grange School Rowing Club have send three boats to Henley this weekend, including Kate Blayney in a junior single scull.

A double and a quad scull, both junior crews, completes the Hartford team’s entry.