After a disappointing cancellation of events last week at Tyne, a slightly smaller field is heading to the picturesque river Tweed for Saturday’s LDS in Berwick. Hosted by Berwick Amateur Rowing club, this 5,000m event can be the toughest of the series depending on tidal conditions.
Women#s Coxless Quads
The Women’s quads are a real mix of entries with both junior and experienced crews going head to head. The Wilks crew from St. Andrews has some serious experience at national level and they will probably be too strong for the junior crew from Queen Elizabeth High School. The unknown here is the ‘Nettleton’ crew from Hexham, if this is their senior women it will be a tight battle with St. Andrew’s, if not, expect them to be close to the junior crew with St. Andrew’s taking the victory.
Open MasCE Quads
This event sees three crews from Hexham entered. What an achievement in itself to have so many athletes competing from what is quite a small club. After a win on home water last time out with a very fast time, the ‘Benson’ crew from Tees are looking strong, it will probably be a tight race between them and the highly experienced ‘Oates’ crew from Hexham for the victory. The handicap won’t help the ‘Bainbridge’ crew, expect them and ‘Duffy’ to battle for third place.
Open MasFGI Quads
In the older Masters category, we will see the ‘Kenyon’ crew from Tees aiming to build on their recent success. The Tees crew had an impressive win two weeks ago and expect them to finish ahead of both Talkin Tarn and Tyne Amateur.
Women’s MasCEF Doubles
The Women’s MasCEF double has a small but very competitive field. The ‘Moore’ crew from Durham Amateur won the first race of the LDS series, however, the normally quick crew from Tees did not race on the day. The St. Andrew’s crew of ‘Walsh’ will be in the mix as well, this will be a tight race and very hard to predict which of the three strong crews will take the victory.
Open Masters FGI double
A strong entry list in the Masters FGI double should give us some close racing, notably between the ‘Hall’ crew from Sunderland City and Boyd from Tyne Amateur. The Hexham and Berwick doubles are hardened veterans of tough races such as this and could well challenge Sunderland and City and Tyne Amateur if conditions are bad.
Open MasBD Singles
This singles event sees scullers from three local clubs. Two Berwick entries, ‘Eke’ and ‘Masters’ have the advantage of knowing the local tidal conditions. ‘Aitkenhead’ from Hexham has shown good form this season and is in the mix for a win this weekend, however, the younger ‘Carter’ from Cambois, a Henley Masters semi-finalist and National Championship winner is the favourite on Saturday.
Open MasEF Singles
The largest category on show will be the Open MasEF Singles with five entries from clubs far and wide. ‘Chappell’ from Talkin Tarn and ‘Green‘ from York City both make the long journey to Berwick and should be the fastest two scullers. Green, with an impressive win at Tees should pick up another victory at the weekend. ‘Court’ from Durham Amateur, ‘Hall‘ from Tyne United, and ‘Fairholm’ from Cambois complete the field and expect some close times between them.
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