HARROW School master and former England rugby captain Roger Uttley spearheaded the British quest for success at the World Indoor Rowing Championships in Boston, USA, last week.

Captained by five-times Olympic gold medalist and knighted oarsman Sir Steve Redgrave, the British team scooped 14 medals including seven golds.

Roger, 54, director of physical education at the public school on Harrow Hill, clinched an impressive 12th place from a field of 88 in the 50-59 age category.

He said: "I did OK, but not as well as I'd hoped. I was fit enough, but hadn't had enough practice.

"The championships were good though. I would recommend indoor rowing to anyone looking to regain their youth."

Roger's time of 6 mins 34.3 secs was good enough to beat many in lower age categories and he even finished one place ahead of Peter Dreissigaker, the man who invented the indoor rowing machine.

As well as boasting two English sporting legends, the 79-strong British team also included a 93-year-old rower who not only completed the 2,000m event but also picked up a medal.

As for next year's championship, Roger is undecided, saying: "I may be there next year.

"There are a series of grand prix events that you need to qualify through, so we shall have to see."