YORK CITY Rowing Club have today progressed to the second round of the Thames Challenge Cup at Henley's Royal Regatta.

The eight man crew beat Thames Rowing Club 'C' by half a length and now face Leander Club who beat Worcester Rowing Club.

Meanwhile, the University of York Boat Club return to action at Henley this evening after a six year absence.

The students have been invited to take part in the famous event after a string of impressive regatta performances over the last six months.

They will line-up against Newcastle University in the first round of the Temple Challenge Cup and take to the waters of the River Thames tonight at 6.10pm.

Calder Trewin Marshall, the club's development officer, said: "This is a huge achievement and is testament to the hard work which our dedicated senior men have put into their rowing.

"Realistically, we probably won't win the Cup but, if we can progress to Friday (the quarterfinals), we will be very happy."

The Henley Royal is the best-known regatta in the world and attracts thousands of visitors over the next five days to watch over 200 races of international standard.

The Temple Challenge Cup brings together the top 32 university crews in the world including Yale and Cornell among a record entry of 60 from the United States. Oxford Brookes University is regarded as the favourites.

At least 24 medallists from the 2016 Olympics will be competing at the regatta including ten gold-medal winners.

York's eight man crew consists of Marshall, Stuart Hosie, Phil Nesom, Monty Pilkington, Jack Newby, Jacob Norman, Adam Williams, and Harris Archer with Emily Jardine as cox.

"Our first full time head coach moved on at the end of 2016 and, since then, we have been 'student run' with some input from the GB Start coach, for York, Matt Paul," said Marshall.

"With GB Start athletes in the boat, we are the strongest crew that York has ever seen and we hope to beat some of the best universities in the country."

All races are available to view live on the Regatta's YouTube channel.