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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