LIFELONG friends Matthew Harden and Gordon Johncox are celebrating their most successful season ever, after going unbeaten in all races in 2011.

The Bradford on Avon Rowing Club pair boast a record that puts them at the top of their class nationally, an achievement they admit will be difficult to better in 2012.

Their haul of medals includes the elusive treble of the Henley, National Championships and Pairs Head titles in the Masters D category.

The all-conquering season began in January with a win at the Thames Valley Trial held at Dorney Lake, the venue for next year’s Olympic regatta.

Later in the summer the pair began a run of sustained success, winning seven events in six weeks including the Monmouth and Marlow regattas.

Their final victory of a remarkable year came at December’s Walton Small Boats Head when they won a handicapped event for rowers aged between 43-60.

Harden, chairman of Bradford on Avon Rowing Club, said: “We’ve had a great season and really enjoyed our rowing.

“It makes all the hard work and the hours on the water worthwhile.”

He and Johncox, both 50, have known each other since they were eight-year-olds and rowed together at school.

At St George’s College in Weybridge, Surrey they raced as 15-year-old juniors at the Henley Royal Regatta and the National Championships.

They then went their separate ways until a mutual friend told them in 2006 that they now lived only a few miles apart in Norton St Philip and Box.

Their rowing partnership was revived – and success started again.

Bradford on Avon Rowing Club has had one of its best seasons with good results in all age groups at regattas and head races across the country.

The club are also planning another Learn to Row course in the spring, previous courses having helped to boost membership, particularly in the women’s squad.

With junior rower numbers the highest for years,a British Rowing coach Hannah Gavin, sponsored by the Henley Stewards’ Charitable Trust, has been appointed for two years to support and develop the youngsters.

More details about the club can be found on the website boarc.org.uk.

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