Putney-based rowing club Vesta reached a final at Henley Royal Regatta for the first time in 27 years as they lost to Manchester’s Agecroft in the final of the Brittania Cup on Sunday.

Vesta had already knocked out seeded club Mossman, who had flown in from Sydney, Australia, in the first round, and Bristol City, before a crowd of 40,000 on Saturday night.

The Vesta coxed four were stroked by Wandsworth resident Mark Williams.

Shepherd’s Bush-based cox and LBC broadcaster Michael Wale, who steered the boat, added: “We only lost the final by three-quarters of a length, and I think, if we had had not had such a hard race the night before, we would have won.”

Vesta are one of seven Tideway-based clubs who run the Remenham Club, located a quarter of a mile from the finish at Henley.

Saturday night’s result, as Vesta charged their way into Sunday’s final, also caused the champagne drinking record at the club to be beaten as some 200 bottles were sold.