NEPTUNE'S journey in the Thames Challenge Cup has been notable only for the absence of and serious challenge, and as one of three seeded crews to make the last four today's semi final race will be the first real measure of their relative standing.

Yesterday's easy win against Auriol Kensington has given the Dublin based eight the easier draw against the London lightweight crew today. When the two boats last meet at the Docklands Regatta, Neptune finished a length ahead in both finals and with a headwind today, the heavier crew will have the advantage.

London have already raced under pressure this week but Albert Maher, Neptune's number three, believes that it doesn't necessarily, make them the sharper of today's opponents. "The easy races could have been a disadvantage if we were complacent, but we know that they are going to be looking to lend us off the start, because as light weights they are going it very hard to row through us later."

In the other semi final, Wallingford A meet the only remaining unseeded eight, Essen Kupferdreh, who have proved the dark horses of the Challenge. Yesterday they beat, Nottingham by a couple of seats. Wallingford's coach, Richard Tinkler had an eligibility complaint turned down by the Stewards.

Neptune had raced earlier. Auriol Kensington were half a length down after 10 strokes and the two boats were separated by clear water at the barrier. Neptune were rating 32 as they passed the Fawley halfway mark and the Auriol pushes that followed were little more than token efforts that made no impression on the final 31/4 length verdict.

The umpire's notes described Auriol as being outclassed and certainly rule changes that were intended to separate club from college eights have left the Thames Cup with a lot of ordinary crews.

The Temple, on the other hand has seen standards rise, as Trinity can testify. They overcame Durham after having been left behind at the start. Durham were a length clear before Trinity had a chance to settle.

A series of pushes from the barrier hauled back the advantage and by Fawley Trinity were on equal terms again, racing through with two lengths to spare. Today's fourth round draw presents Trinity with a chance to redress the result of last year's final against an in form Oxford Brookes.

Emmet O'Brien and Lar Collins will race another day at least after beating the seeded double scull that included a medallist at last year's World Championships. The Commercial boat lost a lead in the early strokes but came back along the enclosures to win by 21/2 lengths.

There were two Irish casualties during the day. Commercial's coxless four made an early exit from the Stewards Cup for internationals and the Shannon Pair went out to a seeded boat.