Published: Thursday, 11th March, 2010 9:29am

Erne Head to crown busy week of action

Perfect symmetry...action from last year's Head of the River from the vantage point of the West Bridge.

The annual Erne Head of the River race takes place at 2.15 pm on Saturday from the top of the Killyhevlin straight to the Portora boathouse.

There are over 60 entries from all four provinces with a particularly strong entry in Junior 18 eights - eight

crews- where Portora are expected to face strong opposition from Bann rowing club in Coleraine. Bann occasionally produce a very good crew at this level and this is it!

There will be a preliminary skirmish in London of all places on Thursday 11 March!

Both crews have entered the Schools head of the river race on the Thames where opposition from

the best in Britain will be on the water and no matter what happens there, someone will be out for revenge on Saturday. It is not to be missed.

The Portora girls crew have opponents from Methodist College and St. Ignatius College Galway and have a chance to test the water in London also. Both these crews have changes from last year but the early indications are that they could be just as fast. The overall favourites on the basis of early season form are Queens University.

The usual viewpoints at the Killyhevlin, West Bridge and the Round O should be well attended by the rowing afficionados. This event - organised by Portora Boat Club- is well into it's sixth decade and is sponsored by

Chris Allen Architects, Ennisklilen. Portora began the week with winning Junior team of the year at the Fermanagh sports awards last Friday evening which was just reward for the success the club had during last season.

Crews for London:

Boys 1st 8- James Byrne, Mark Coalter, Alex O'Reilly, Matthew Monteith, Lloyd Seaman, Ryan Magwood, Henry Millar, James Smith, Rory Elton

Girls 1st 8 - Ciara St Ledger, Ann Marie Maguire, Lauren Dempster, Katie Cromie, Alex Hamilton, Phoebe Mulligan, Jenny Russell, Megan Henry, Ashling McCann