The 2000m open boys eights’ win in a time of 5:49 has also ended Hutchins’ mighty four-year reign ruling the roost at Lake Barrington.  

Coach James Russell’s crew pulled away on the line to edge out Hutchins by three quarters of a boat length.

The Hobart rivals pushed the leaders all the way down the course, but just couldn’t manage to overhaul Scotch Oakburn in the blue-ribbon race.

Launceston Church Grammar finished a strong third in a surprise performance ahead of the Friends eights.

Friends claimed the girls eights’ final in very convincing fashion from a gallant St Michael’s Collegiate.

Grammar picked up another third placing behind the two Hobart schools.

Both Scotch boys and Friends girls will depart on Sunday for the national titles following their state victories.

Grammar and St Michaels will also take up crews in a variety of fours, quads and pairs in Sydney.

“There is going to be a great representation from the Tasmanian schools, plus all the club crews that have gone up,” Rowing Tasmania executive officer Rob Prescott said. 

“It’s good to see that Tassie will have such a strong contingent there.”

Nearly 700 competitors over 85 races took part at Lake Barrington for the right to represent the state.

Prescott said an inch of rain overnight didn’t stop near-perfect conditions. 

“We also had a massive crowd there too,” he said.

“It was one of the bigger crowds, I think, I have seen for a number of years.”