WARRINGTON Rowing Club's under 18s quad sculls have won their opening race at the Henley Royal Regatta.

Having been awarded a bye through the first round, the crew of Alastair Eaves, Connor Guerin and Matt Baguley, all 18, and 17-year-old Angus Stewart saw off Globe Rowing Club in the Fawley Challenge Cup this morning.

The crew won by two-and-a-half lengths to progress to the next round.

Hopes are high for the crew, who have been consistently ranked as among the top six in the UK this season under the tutelage of coach Pete Tamblin.

Warrington face strong international competition, with crews entering from as far away as Australia and the field also includes Neptune Rowing Club, the Irish champions.

There was a hope that the club would have two crews in the running for the competition, but the B crew, who are also coached by Tamblin, fell just short of qualification.

Tom Carroll, Joe Guerin, Marcus Reilly and Angus Wooler took part in a time trial on the Henley course on Friday but were hindered by technical issues and choppy water.