Norwich Rowing Club's senior and junior men's teams have come away from the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta with their heads held high, despite early elimination.

The eight-man senior team qualified for the Thames Challenge Cup but were knocked out in the first round by Sport Imperial Boat Club.

The junior four-man team put up a fight in the Fawley Challenge Cup, missing out by just three quarters of a length against Molesey Boat Club.

Norwich Rowing Club chairman, Nick Francis, said: 'Unfortunately both Norwich Crews lost, junior quad very narrowly to Molesey in the best race of the day. The lead changed hands several times but Norwich couldn't find the energy for a final sprint.

'The men's eight pushed one of the competition's favourites – Imperial College all the way but couldn't get on terms. A huge effort by an inexperienced crew.

'Next year holds a promising future with the Henley experience behind us. It was a very proud moment for Norwich Rowing Club to be represented with such great homegrown talent.'

Norwich School also had an eight-man junior team competing at the event, in the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup, but were beaten by a length and a half by Shawnigan Lake School, from Canada.