Testing time for in-form UCC

University College Cork, whose senior eight surprised many by being the second-best placed Irish crew at the London head of the river last month, will be given a good indication of their worth when the take on the top university crews, including Trinity, at the University Championships at Castlewellan today.

UCC are the reigning Wiley Cup champions, as under the rules of the competition their victories in the novice and intermediate eights last year outweighed Trinity's victory in the senior eights. But the focus of attention today will be on their senior eight, who finished 37th in London, second only in Irish rankings to Neptune's excellent eight, who finished eighth.

"London was as much a surprise to us as to a lot of people," says club captain Steven Blenner hassett.

The club had a slow start to the year, but now the mood is so good that there may be an entry for Henley regatta next month. Blennerhassett, who usually rows in the two seat, is involved in exams and cannot travel today. However, with Eugene Coakley slotting into the crew, the boat will still be a top contender.

Trinity will still be favourites and they have their own reasons to wish for a good showing. They did not compete at the London head, but the heavy defeat by Neptune at their own regatta last weekend was a low point they will want to ascend from. The return of James Lupton to the boat (he was involved in national trials last weekend but will row at four today) should help; Stephen Hurley will be in the stroke seat and William Gilbert moves to the six seat.

UCD have a number of crew members tied up with exams and some are not eligible as they are not current student card holders, and Queen's are unlikely to win out on form so far this year.