TWELVE-YEAR-OLD cox Simon Woodfine successfully steered the men's senior crew from York City Rowing Club through the qualifying heats of the Thames Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta.

Rowing in their new eight "Viking Warrior" they now go into the first round proper of the Thames Challenge Cup which starts on Wednesday.

Bowman Ian Hazel said: "Simon gave his best performance of his coxing 'career' which gave us the lift we needed to get us through."

Coach Andrew Cawood, who cycled along the towpath to encourage his crew, said that the eight had their best row to date, a sentiment echoed by captain and number three man Mick Homa, who declared: "The atmosphere is electric at Henley and the crew must keep their heads especially when they row past the stewards enclosure.

"It is the dream of every oarsman to row at Henley and the occasion will stay with them for many years to come. "

The eight - Dan Clarke, Rob Drever-Smith, Carl Abram, Stuart Clarke, Jon Hipkin, Mick Homa, Ed Goodall, Ian Hazel, and cox Woodfine - have drawn Marin from San Diego, California in their first heat.

However, the York coxless four of Dan Clarke, Stuart Clarke,Abram and Homa were disappointed not to qualify for the Wyfold fours after encouraging performances in training

Updated: 12:12 Monday, July 02, 2001