The senior men’s eight crew at St Neots Rowing Club created a slice of history when competing in the Henley Royal Regatta.

Adam Williams, Max Taylor, Edd Maryon, Dom Chapman, Huw Jarman, Josh Dexter, Bryce Taylor, Tom Colbert and cox Tammy Finnigan bowed out in the first round of the Thames Challenge Cup event on Wednesday.

They were drawn against familiar opposition in the form of a City of Oxford Rowing Club crew who they had already faced in a number of close races during the current season. And their latest clash was no different with St Neots being pipped by one length after a battle along the 2,112 metre course on the River Thames.

St Neots men’s captain Chapman said: “We pushed City of Oxford hard in the middle of the race, but they were just the better crew on the day and well done to them.

“It was last September when we set ourselves the goal of racing at Henley, and we achieved it.

“We felt we had a great chance to progress to at least the next round, but I can’t fault anyone for their effort.

“I’m really proud of the crew and grateful for all the support we’ve had from the club these past few months.

“Our Henley performance now gives us something to build on for the future.”

The Henley Royal Regatta, established in 1839, is arguably the best-known rowing event in the world.