Garda were the standard bearers on a mixed day for Irish crews at Henley Royal Regatta yesterday. Almost all the crews who took an early lead yesterday held on to win, and the Garda eight followed the successful pattern closely in the Thames Challenge Cup, eventually beating Bedford Rowing Club by 4 1/2 lengths.

"We made it easy on ourselves, alright," said coach Willie Ryan. But the test today will be much sterner: Garda are drawn against Molesey, one of the top British crews.

The good form of the Irish eight is all the more creditable because the man in the number six seat is Pat Gannon, a 40-year-old who was already an established oarsman in the 1970s. He came into the crew recently as a replacement for club captain Graham Tolan, who is out with mumps.

Neptune, one of the favourites in the Wyfold coxless four event also won yesterday, but in very different fashion to Garda: they trailed Stourport virtually all the way, but bucked the trend of the day by taking the lead virtually on the line. They won by six feet and will now take on Bradford-on-Avon.

However, a poor start did for Commercial in the same class and they ended their regatta early with a 1 1/2 length loss to University of London Tyrian Club, essentially a club for graduates of the university. University of London itself also saw off NUIG in the Britannia for coxed fours.

Also making their exit were Methodist College Belfast, beaten by Radley.

But like Garda, Trinity will have at least one more day - and the Dublin college have two bites at the cherry in the next round of the Temple for eights.

Their B crew, which had to qualify, yesterday saw off Radley College by half a length and face Abingdon School today. The A crew, which received a bye, take on LMBC, Cambridge.