Two local girls represented Great Britain at rowing in the Anglo French match last week – this year held in Valenciennes, France.

Ruby Ellam, 16, of Stewkley, and Charlotte Cook, 15, of Stanbridge, were two members of the Junior 16 women's coxless quad along with other crew members Victoria Huckle and Ellie Grimley.

The qualifiers for this international event were held in Nottingham at Holme Pierre Point, the National Water Sports Centre, where the girls raced the fastest crews this season – and after gaining an early lead they stormed across the finish line a good boat's length clear of their closest rivals.

In so doing they earned the privilege of travelling with the GB team to France the following morning.

This achievement was all the more remarkable because three of the four girls are only 15 and therefore racing up a year.

After three days' training in France the girls raced the equivalent fastest French crew of their age category, selected from the French National Championships held the previous week.

The race was a head-to-head winner-takes-all match which unfortunately
saw the GB girls losing narrowly to the stronger French crew.

So, no medal this time, but hopefully the opportunity will inspire them to train hard and compete at the highest levels they can in the future.

All four girls have also competed in the British National Rowing Championships in Nottingham representing Star Rowing Club, Bedford.