WORLD medallist and Oxford Women’s Boat Race Blue Morgan Baynham-Williams was back in the driving seat again on Saturday, steering her crew to victory in the biggest women’s rowing race in the world.

Starting the Women’s 8s Head time-trial over the 4.25-mile championship Thames Tideway course in pole position at the head of the 300-boat field, the Ross Rowing Club member coxed Leander’s star-studded boat to a whopping 34-second win.

The crew from the world’s oldest rowing club, which dates back more than two centuries, covered the choppy reverse Boat Race Chiswick to Putney course in 19 minutes 15 seconds.

Second overall were Oxford Brookes in 19.50, followed by Tideway Scullers three seconds back and Thames RC a further five seconds behind.

It was yet another success for GB international Morgan, who learnt to row on the Wye, following victories in the national Fours Head in London and Henley Royal Regatta last year.

With nearly 3,000 rowers racing and boats starting at 10-second intervals, it was the first time since 2018 that the Women’s 8s Head has gone ahead, with wind blowing off the 2019 event before two years of Covid lockdown.

And Morgan was joined on the Thames by Ross RC’s women’s eight, who boated a mixture of youngsters and four masters rowers, and who finished in 255th in 26.23.

The crew tweeted: “After three years, we get to row the Tideway again in

@WEHORR.

“Our club managed a mix of youth and masters to turn out a crew. Proud of our efforts today and thanks to Sally Pettipher super cox.

“What a great spectacle to manage - great organisation.”

The crew also thanked Graham Watling and Dave Sykes for towing, Tim Ball for doing last-minute repairs and the coaches and sit ins who helped them take on the challenge, posting: “Everyone felt the support and love yesterday!”