BUSHLEY rower Zac Purchase, a pupil at King's School, Worcester, won one of the most celebrated races of his career at the National Schools Regatta at Nottingham.

He became the proud holder of the Men's Championship Single Sculls title, an honour which carries with it the prestigious prize of a new sculling boat presented by the Graham Rickett Trust in association with the Rowing Foundation.

He was presented with a gold medal and the Newell Cup which was held by Steve Redgrave in 1979. At 17-years-old Zac still has another year in which he will be eligible for this event.

He won the 2km race (which had 24 entries from all over the country) by five seconds (nearly two boat lengths), his rowing partner Andrew Walker took the silver.

In the early stages the race had been led by Dan Tipney, from Marlow, who was last year's winner. Dan eventually finished in bronze medal position. All three boys are part of the GB Junior squad, and are hoping to go to Athens in August to compete in the Junior World Championships.

They were all part of a quad sent to Europe for the Munich Junior International Regatta and have already distinguished themselves by returning with a gold medal, beating the German national squad for the first time in ten years.

Zac will be representing the King's School at Henley Regatta by competing in the composite squad which he believes may be a contender for the coveted Fawley Cup.