Northern JIRR Trials Preview and Predictions

Trials for the Northern Team will take place at Cambois RC, Wansbeck where athletes and coaches alike will be looking forward to seeing what benefit the winter training has had on boat speed for juniors across the region. Saturday should prove to be exciting, as ever, with lots of close results expected in both, the open and women’s categories.

J16 Boys

The Chester le Street boys have proven very dominant in this age category (particularly in the quad) but Queen Elizabeth High School snatched a win over this CLS crew at Rutherford Head. Despite their lack of attendance at local head races, Tyne United are also in the mix. The event to watch here is the 4+.

Predictions:

J164x- CLS

J164+ QEHS or CLS

J162x TURC

J161x TURC

J16 Girls

This category has got to be one of the most competitive in the region- with last year’s WJ154x+ top 3 results all within one second. Chester le Street have, again, proven to be very strong in all sculling events but with entries from nearly all junior clubs in the region, it is all definitely still to play for. The closest event is expected to be the 4-.

Predictions:

WJ168+ SLS/DUS/DARC or TYNE/DARC

WJ164x- CLS

WJ164- DARC or TYNE or SLS

WJ162x- CLS or DARC

WJ161x- CBS or DUS

J15 Boys

The CLS/DUS/TTA boys will be feeling very confident after another strong winter of results off the back of a silver at British Championships. However, the sweep events are much more open meaning SLS, DARC and DUS have an opportunity to pull off an upset and claim a burgundy       t-shirt. All eyes on the 4+, to see who will come out on top.

Predictions:

J154x+ DUS/CLS/TTA

J154+ CLS

J152x DUS/CLS

J151x CLS or TTA

J15 Girls

Without wanting to sound like a broken record, CLS seem to be the inform crew, in this age group, as proven at Durham LDS but I’m sure that the other girls have spent the past few weeks really adding to boat speed and it will be a closer race than first anticipated. It will be great to watch the 2x event due to the large field entered.

Predictions:

WJ154x+ CLS

WJ152x CLS or TURC

WJ151x CLS

J14 boys

This age group will be eagerly attending their first trials and we should see some tight racing as they seek to earn their chance on the national stage. Local events have had lots of entries in smaller boats, which could be the events to look out for in particular, the 1x.

Predictions:

J144x+ DUS or CLS/TTA

J142x DARC/ TYNE

J141x CLS/DARC/CBS

J14 Girls

Special mention must go to the girls from Tyne who are known for performing very well. So far this season their quad has produced a time of 7:51 at Durham LDS, which would have comfortably won them the age category above their own. However, Hexham, St Leonard’s School and Durham have all recently posted some fast times too meaning that the 4x+ is the event to watch.

Predictions:

WJ144x+ TYNE or HEX or SLS

WJ142x TYNE or DARC

WJ141x CLS or SLS or TYNE

Written by Emily Reilly O’Donnell

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