Nailsworth's Olympic champion rower Peter Reed got his Henley Royal Regatta challenge off to the perfect start yesterday.

Reed and Andy Hodge are contesting the Silver Goblets in the men's pair.

And they secured an easy win over the Tulane Rowing Association's American pair Andrew Walker and John Huppi in the first round.

Walker and Huppi were late replacements for Irish pair Mark Stephens and John Forde, who had to withdraw from the competition.

Reed and Hodge now go through to today's quarter-finals and are on course to meet New Zealanders Hamish Bond and Eric Murray in tomorrow's semis.

The Kiwi pair also had an easy win yesterday and will pose a stiff challenge for Reed and Hodge if they do come face-to-face.

The British pair were beaten by Bond and Murray in the World Cup at Munich just a fortnight ago.

The Silver Goblets final takes place on Sunday.