Creditable finishes for the development crews, rowing as Tara, made the Fours head of the river in London on Saturday a worthwhile outing for Irish entrants.

In difficult conditions, the men's development quadruple scull of Padraic Hussey, James Mangan, Hughie Lynch and Serryth Colbert finished 37th, from a starting position of 335th, and the three Tara fours finished ninth, 106th and 118th.

First Irish crew home were the experienced Commercial four of Neal Byrne, James LyndsayFinn, Donal McGuinness and Emmet O'Brien in 20th place, although Gearoid Towey was a part of the Nottingham County crew which finished second to Leander overall. The two Commercial women's quad finished 160th and 174th in the overall field, eighth and 11th of the women entrants.