IN THE week England's cricketers saw off Australian opposition, Greenwich's premier rowing club repeated the feat on water.

Curlew's oarsome eightsome warmed up for the Henley Royal Regatta in fine style by beating Brisbane State High School and the rest of the field at the Reading International Regatta.

Stroke Ben Askin, Joel Kijowski, Matt Ayers, Nick Davies, Paddy Urwin, Tom Wojcikiewicz, James Hasler, Oli Tann and cox Rick Geer were triumphant in the S1 eights, and narrowly lost out in the final of the MS28 event to Reading.

Curlew also reached the final of the Novice eights, where they were beaten by Reading University.

Coach Ray Cassidy said: "These results are outstanding for such a small club."

A 750M swim, a 20km ride and a 5km run, all in under an hour.

Sounds improbable, but that was the feat managed by Stephen Bayliss at the recent Crystal Palace triathlon.

Bayliss, who was crowned World Long Course Under-24 Triathlon champion in 2003, was first home in the event which returned to the National Sports Centre after an absence of six years.

Chairman of the British Triathlon Association Jasmine Flatters was on hand to set the 350 competitors on their way, while mayor of Bromley Anne Manning handed out the prizes.

Mrs Flatters said: "I'm delighted to see the event brought back to the National Sports Centre, where it belongs.We're already looking forward to next year's race."

Ian Birch took the men's over-40s class, Yvette Grice won the women's under-40s category and Michelle Blaydon claimed the over-40s race.