York City rowers are bound for the Henley Royal regatta after winning automatic qualification at Marlow Regatta.

The men's four of Carl Abraham, Owen Gillard, Dave Hersserman and Sam Clarke coxed by Penny Gillard, powered their way through to the final at Dorney Lake where they finished sixth, but just a few seconds off the winning time to secure a place in the Britannia Cup at the Henley Royal regatta, avoiding the final 14-crew scramble for the remaining four places.

York City's women's crew came close to a celebration of their own at the Henley Women's Regatta.

The coxed four stormed through the qualifying time trial to earn a seeded draw in the first round against Southampton University 'A', who they beat by three lengths.

In the second round, York faced Thames 'A' and held on to an early two and a half length lead to cruise into the quarter-finals to face BUSA bronze medallists University of East Anglia.

York, crewed by stroke Kate Flemming, three Ruth Easterbrook, two Becky Harland, bow Becky Raines and cox Sean Stephenson, edged into the lead after 500m but UEA stayed within touching distance and eventually pushed through and beat York by three-quarters of a length in a time beaten only by winners Mortlake Anglian and Alfa in the final.

Charlotte Richer, another York member, sculled in a St Peter's School quad that also made it to the quarter finals, where they were pipped by eventual winners Wycliffe.

It was all York at the York Summer Regatta with the women's senior three eight final featuring an all-York line up.

The University of York took the lead off the start until York City nudged ahead and stayed the distance for the win.

The winning eight then split into two fours and the senior three crew of Amanda Lockley, Carolyn Williams, Rachael Furnell and Karen Williams coxed by Helena Smallman-Smith, swept aside St Aidan's College in the semi-final to set up another final with University of York.

It was another close affair, with the university leading until the last 100m, when City again pulled a finish out of the bag for the second time that day.

The senior two crew, meanwhile, lost to Collingwood College in their straight final.

Anna Skillbeck was in outstanding form as she won both the women's senior four and J15 single skills, a feat matched by the double act of Danielle Lewis and Sarah Pitcher, who triumphed in the women's novice and J15 double sculls.

The York men's senior four eight were beaten by just half a length in the semi-final against Collingwood College, the Vet 'D' single sculls was won by Jamie MacLeod, the J16 double sculls went to Matt Noble and Joel Lancaster, and the novice double sculls was won by Simon Woodfine and Charlie Anderson.

Lancaster and Anderson also triumphed in the J16 single sculls 'A' and 'B', respectively.

Updated: 10:51 Friday, June 25, 2004