ANDREW Walker and Tim Messent kept the Evesham flag flying as both stole victories in the North West Regional Time Trials at Northwich Rowing Club.

The trials are held as an aid to selection for the West Region Rowing Squad.

With the next inter-regional competition due to be held at the end of April, the pair enhanced their chances of selection by posting the fastest times in the junior 15 and 14 single sculls.

Having beaten rivals which included strong scullers from Merchant Taylors, Warrington and Northwich, both local scullers will now compete at Worcester later this month in the final time trial.

The pair, who were bronze medalists at the National Championships last year, hope to again do battle against the best in the country, this time in the single scull event at next month's inter-regional competition on Dorney Lake, Eton.