By Mike Rowbottom

Andy_Triggs-Hodge_and_Peter_Reed_04-07-11July 4 - Four British crews recorded victories on the final day of the Henley Royal Regatta which bode exceedingly well for London 2012, although 39-year-old Greg Searle, a member of the eight which was narrowly beaten by the German crew at last year's World Championships, was unable to finish the final day with a winning feeling as his crew were beaten once again by their German opponents, racing at the Regatta as Hansa Dortmund.


However, there was full satisfaction for the Molesey and Leander four, including 2008 Beijing gold medallist Tom James, which earned a record-breaking win over the United States, and for the quadruple scull, which secured an unexpected victory over Croatia's world champions.

"I don't want to get carried away, but it's a good omen for the Olympics," said James.

Matt Wells and Marcus Bateman also had reasons to celebrate in the double sculls after beating the Olympic champions, Australia, and the pair of Andy Triggs-Hodge and Peter Reed (pictured), who were alongside James in the gold medal four at the Beijing Games, were jubilant at the finish line in the Silver Goblets as they defeated the Italian pair in a time of 6min 56sec, which equalled the course record set in 1995 by Steve Redgrave and Matt Pinsent.

But Hodge and Reed know they will need to do all that again and more if they are to beat New Zealand's world and Olympic champions in Lucerne next week.

To read Mike Rowbottom's exclusive blog on the Royal Henley Regatta please click here.

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