So, with Henley over for another year and with a lot of clubs winding down into the summer break, the last national competition of this year is almost upon us. Despite there being a mere 20 crews entered in the event, it sees five of the crews who raced in the A final at the National Schools’ Regatta in the quads participating in this event. Joining the competition are the 3 top crews who raced in the coxed fours at Nat schools, the crew that came 2nd are racing as a club crew but interestingly, the winners and 3rd place have joined together to try and gain another national medal. But with rumours circulating of some crews sustaining major injuries and last-minute changes, it looks like the hunt for silverware will be particularly relentless. Here is a preview of the contenders:
Kingston Rowing Club and Tideway Scullers School
This crew was a complete surprise unknown to anybody until the draw was released, having said that, this crew is bound to make a splash this coming weekend. The members from Kingston were a part of the four which claimed the mariner cup 2 months ago at national schools and joining them are a further 2 medalists from scullers who claimed 3rd in the same event, they have also capitalized on their successes since May, coming 3rd at Marlow regatta in the J15 quads and collecting tankards at minor regattas along the way. With all this said, it looks like this crew will be in good steed for the weekend.
Trentham Boat Club
The boys from Trentham will be hoping to redeem themselves this weekend after they left everyone shocked with their performance at Nat schools coming 4th and being rowed through by maidenhead in the last 500m, thus missing out on a coveted medal, this mishap will certainly have made them eager to perform and return to their success as J14’s, but with talk circulating that a member of their top crew has sustained an injury which will put him out of the running for this final national event, it could cost dearly to the crews chances this weekend. Whether these rumours are true it remains to be seen but whatever happens it will be interesting.
Windsor Boys School
Windsor boys will be coming to Nottingham this weekend with the intention of continuing their winning streak and claim a gold medal, since their Nat schools triumph, this crew havecontinually demonstrated their prowess, having won the Iris Lakovic cup at Marlow regatta by a staggering 15 seconds and dominating in small boats at recent regattas, it will take something extraordinary for these boys to come anything but first, but as we know sometimes the expectations are too high, after what happened to Trentham at Nat schools, it’s evident that one good result doesn’t paint the future
The Grange School
Due to their location, it is difficult to tell how Grange have been doing since May, other than their outstanding performance at Nat schools where they came 3rd their whereabouts have been unknown, but I am certain that this crew may nab a medal as they have been very consistent throughout the year always being at the top and never sinking below 5th place.
Hereford Rowing Club
It would be foolish to ignore Hereford as contenders for a medal this weekend. Coming 2nd at Nat schools in the fours and coming 6th at the scullery, they also have added pressure coming into this event as last year they came 2nd in the quads. Having said all of this, due to the late timing of this event the stroke man of the quad is away on holiday, which could cost dearly to the crews chances of performing well as they have had to switch the crew around and are going into the race with no preparation.
With all of this taken into consideration, it looks like this weekend will prove to be quite interesting. Personally I think the only clear result is that Windsor Boys will win but the contest for 2nd and 3rd will be ruthless as all the crews are separated by relatively small margins.
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