ELLIE Cushen, from Grange School Rowing Club, qualified in style for the semi finals in her boat class at the British Junior Championships on Saturday.

The 15-year-old was fastest in a single scull during a morning time trial, completing a 1,500m course at the National Water Sports Centre in 7.10.9.

Freya Dingwall (Isle of Ely) was second best in 7.12.5.

Four crews from Northwich Rowing Club progressed to the semi finals in testing conditions, while five more were denied by strong wind from contesting minor finals.

An under 18s boys’ double of Rhys Coffey and George Crouchley were second quickest during a time trial, timing 5.47.9.

However Claires Court duo Jonathan Cameron and Alex Richardson will be difficult to beat, stopping the clock in 5.38.9.

Lucy Gillbanks eased to the next stage in the under 18s girls’ single sculls, placing fourth in her time trial.

Another Northwich sculler to qualify in similarly impressive fashion was Kevin Dudley, this time in the under 18s boys’ category.

It was a much closer call for Charlotte Almond and Rachel Cooney in the under 15s girls’ double sculls.

With a dozen boats making the cut for Sunday’s semi finals, they squeezed through in 11th place after reaching the finish in 6.43.5.

Northwich’s under 18s boy’s quad, with Greg Murphy, Matthew Radford, Matthew Roberts and Dudley on board, were third in an eliminator race behind Leander Club and Royal Grammar School High Wycombe.

Those two crews progressed directly to the A final.

Officials halted racing temporarily on Saturday afternoon when conditions deteriorated further, prompting them to cancel C, D and E finals for all classes.

Two Northwich rowers in the under 16s girls’ single sculls, Imogen Wolstencroft and Katherine Schofield, narrowly missed out on a semi-finals spot after classifying inside to top 20 in a time trial.

The same fate befell under 18s girls’ double crews consisting of Jess Swindells and Abigail Davies along with Hannah Cooney and Anya George.

An under 15s boys’ double of William Miles and Tom Swithenbank bowed out too after a time trial, ranking 22nd.

Racing is scheduled to resume again on Sunday, from 8am.