HEXHAM rower Nick Ryan won gold at the National Championships in Nottingham at the weekend.

A member of Hexham’s Queen Elizabeth High School Rowing Club, he won the A-grade final at the prestigious event’s J18 1x category, at Home Pierrepont.

Ryan was one of 30 QEHS rowers who took part in various categories at the championships.

An outstanding time trial on Saturday guaranteed Ryan a centre lane start in the following day’s semi final, which he won.

In the final, Ryan faced a sizeable challenge from top quality opponents, and found himself in third place after 1,000m.

But known for his cool racing head and stamina, Ryan moved to just 0.7s of first place with 500m to go.

QEHS Rowing Club’s Pauline Higgins said: “The last 200m saw a great battle but the winner was now not in doubt as Nick used his outstanding boat moving skills and increased rate to overhaul the leader to take first place and become national champion.

“This is a testament to Nick’s training throughout the year as this race called on every facet of the fitness and rowing skills honed over many lonely hours in his single scull on Hexham’s Tyne Green and cross training in his swimming.”

QEHS rowers Tom Archer and Tom Smith returned home with silver medals after coming close to winning a national pairs title at Nottingham.

Following a successful time trial, they occupied a prime lane three position going into the final, against tough opposition from Henley Rowing Club.

After a tough start, the QEHS pair found themselves 0.4s behind, but stuck to their task, and with 500m to go, began to narrow the gap.

However, it was the Oxfordshire boat which crossed the line first.

Mrs Higgins said: “The QE boys were delighted with their silver medal but so close to gold and another national title.”

QEHS had five other crews progressing through the time trials, two going to minor finals and three to B finals.

In the J15 single sculls, Dan Jones, just missed out on qualifying for the A and B finals, and had settle for a place in the C final.

But this was a creditable performance and gives him confidence to make further progress, following his national championships debut.

The J16 coxed four of Tom Mawson, Tom Ludman, Abe Parkin, Ben Wilkinson and cox Ryan Marsden progressed to the semi finals but missed out on the A final.

The WJ16 crew of Isobel Maxwell-Gray, Ellen Stith, Susie Oliver, and Liv Holtham progressed from time trial to the semi-finals and then B final, finishing sixth.

The WJ18 crew of Bethany Hickling, India Berry, Alex Lea and Emily James progressed from time trials to semi-finals where India suffered a slight injury causing a change in crew positions for the B final, in which they came second.