The Ross Rowing Club Elite Coxed Four has won the coveted West of England Challenge Vase.

Last won by the Ross club in 1949, this is one of the oldest and most prestigious rowing events outside Henley regatta. Phil Davies, Steve Randell, Roland Robinson, Anthony Dixon Gough, and cox, Morgan Baynham Williams, wrote themselves into the history books with an emphatic five length win over Hereford in the final.

Hereford were beaten by Worcester in the semi-final, but they were awarded the race after it was a judged that Worcester encroached on their water and impeded them.

The Ross crew members, coached by Malcolm Pobjoy, were imperious in the execution of their race plan. With a perfect course delivered by cox Morgan, the race was all but over by half way, as the crew had established a three length lead. The crew was determined to deliver the best time and continued to moved ahead of the Hereford crew. At the finish, the Ross crew was ahead by five lengths and posted a time that was seven seconds faster than the disqualified Worcester boat.