FORMER Alice Ottley School and Worcester Rowing Club member Philippa Turner, now rowing for her new school Wycliffe College, won a sliver medal at WJunior 15 level in the prestigious National Schools Championship in Nottingham.

The event, rowed over 2000 metres is probably the most difficult to win in the rowing calendar as all the best crews, including existing and hopeful Great Britain rowers all attend.

All of the public rowing schools took part in the competition together with the mighty Henley club and several other leading provincial clubs including Evesham and Worcester from the Midlands.

Turner and her partner Fern Cotterill, from Worcestershire's Tenbury Wells High School, cruised the first round against light opposition and qualified for the semi-final.

This proved to be a sterner affair but Turner and Cotterill stormed over the last 500 metres to beat Headington School and qualify for the final.

Henley, Headington School (2), Sir William Borlase School as well as the only provincial club to qualify, Evesham 'A' all awaited the Wycliffe double in the final.

Henley made a good start and were leading after 500 metres with Wycliffe just up on Headington 'A' and Sir William Borlase.

This was to prove the pattern over the next 1,000 metres as the crews jostled for pole position.

With 500 metres to go, the Wycliffe double put in a push that was decisive and that Headington and Sir William Borlase could not match and secured second place.

Henley took the title as they matched the challenge and remained a length ahead at the finish.

The Worcestershire girls' silver medal will now go alongside the gold that Turner won at the National Championships last July and hopefully another this year.

The county duo are now preparing for Women's Henley later this month where they will compete three years up in status!

Although unlikely to achieve a medal, it will prove useful experience for the pair at a higher level.

Turner will also receive her full school colours with honours at Wycliffe in July as a result of her National Schools achievement.