High Wycombe rowers Lewis Howlett and Ethan O’Connor fought of fierce opposition to win gold at the annual Great Britain v France international meet on Sunday.

The Royal Grammar School (RGS) students, who are both 16, competed in the men’s double sculls at the match, which was held in Valenciennes, France.

Having qualified for the British team in Nottingham last month, the duo made history by becoming the first RGS representatives to win gold at the event.

They are predominantly coached by RGS old boys Geoff Baker and Rob Eyres and have had great success under their tutelage.

Their success in France followed claiming national doubles titles in 2014 and 2015 and they also hold three course records at the challenging 50K Boston Marathon.