Neptune's defence in doubt

NEPTUNE'S defence of the Thames Cup in Henley next month could be blocked by regatta stewards in an effort to clampdown on crews entering events below their level of competition.

The Irish Times has learnt that the Dublin club will be viewed as a marginal case when entries for the Royal Regatta are reviewed early next week. The stewards have to consider whether last year's `first division' success in the Thames Cup now forces premier status on the current crew.

On recent form the move up to the Plate competition would leave Neptune's senior eight out of their depth and, with only four of last year's winning crew (Colm O'Rourke, Gary O'Neill, Tommy Colsh and Aiden McMahon) available for selection, club insiders argue that they are still eligible for the lesser event. However, the eventual decision may rest with Henley stewards.

Neptune coach Peter Buckley points to the standard of Thames Cup entries this year with both Royal Chester and Reading expected to field crews containing Plate winners. "There were clubs that finished ahead of us at the London Head who are going for the Thames and the one Plate crew that we raced in Docklands (Oxford Brookes) beat us by six lengths.

"If I thought we had a chance in the Plate we would do it, but we are still trying to build a crew. Last weekend brought home how much we are lacking in experience and hard racing - it wasn't a Plate performance and we would be in serious trouble if we tried it."