As one of two events exclusive for British universities, BUCS Head offers crews the chance to go toe-to-toe with their academic counterparts. Offering events from beginner to championship level, BUCS Head aims to provide competitive rowing across the board. With major events such as Head of the River and Women’s Head of the River upcoming, this event also stands as an excellent test for larger crews to assess their speed on a tidal course.
Durham University BC (DUBC)
Finishing fourth in this category and placing second in the Victor Ludorum trophy at BUCS Head 2024, DUBC found themselves trailing behind their rivals Newcastle University BC. The fierce rivalry between these two northern powerhouses is always evident when they go head-to-head, and this event promises to be no different.
DUBC’s consistent presence on the Tyne this season may offer them a psychological edge over NUBC, having logged more competitive racing time on these waters. Their impressive eight crew entry at Rutherford Head this season demonstrated their continued effort to be the northern rowing club, with victories in the open coxless fours and strong third and sixth place finishes at Tyne Small Boats Head. Given their extensive familiarity with the course, Durham will aim to capitalise on this advantage and turn experience into results.
Newcastle University BC (NUBC)
As the host club, NUBC holds a distinct advantage on this tidal course, positioning their crews for success. This edge was evident in last year’s results, where they secured the Victor Ludorum trophy and placed first, fifth and sixth in this category. As previous champions, the weight of expectation rests on their shoulder, but this pressure is unlikely to shake their determination to defend their dominance.
This season, NUBC has prioritised training over racing, making this their second major event after Rutherford Head (aside from Tyne New Year’s Head, which featured only their women’s crews.) Their Rutherford performance didn’t unfold as planned, with near misses on the podium in the open eights, a reflection of the growing threat of Edinburgh and Durham eights. However, when it comes to the open coxless fours, NUBC narrowly finished second behind DUBC. This result will no doubt fuel their determination for redemption, setting them up for another jostle for northern dominance.
Imperial College BC (ICBC)
Reflecting on ICBC’s 2024 performance in this event, its clear that last year’s results did no go to plan. A surprising outcome saw their B crew finish ahead of their A crew, placing fifth and ninth out of eleven crews — an unexpected setback for a programme with high ambitions. However, with Quintin Head as their only race so far this season, it seems that ICBC have taken a strategic approach to focus on training over early-season competition in an effort to refine their speed.
So far, this shift appears to be paying off. Their men’s eights delivered a significant step up in performance, securing first, fourth and eighth at this year’s Quintin Head. The key question now is whether they can carry this momentum into BUCS Head and hold their own against powerhouses like Edinburgh, Durham and Newcastle. Entering two crews in this category gives them a stronger chance of making their mark.
University of Edinburgh BC (EUBC)
Keeping things local, EUBC’s entry into this event raises the bar yet again. As consistent high performers with a leading training programme, Edinburgh’s ability to stack entries and secure victories speaks volumes about the depth and strength of their squad.
After competing in this category last year, EUBC return with sights set firmly on the win. Their second-place finish in 2024, along with their second boat finishing eighth, though these are respectable times, nothing short of a win will satisfy them. They dominated Inverness Head, winning every event they entered, sending a clear warning to their rivals. If that doesn’t put crews on high alert, nothing will.
University of Nottingham BC (UONBC)
UONBC secured a podium finish in this event last year, edging out DUBC by a fraction. With another strong lineup, they’ll be aiming to replicate that success this weekend. However, with an even more stacked field of competitors, repeating that result will be no easy feat. If they can carry their momentum into BUCS Head, securing a top finish in their season opener would be an impressive statement.
University of Bristol (UBBC)
Bristol competes the lineup for this event, making the long journey to the Tyne with point to prove. While they haven’t raced as frequently as some of their competitors, their UBBC Head performances have been promising, particularly in the championship eights where their men’s crew secured second place, neatly falling between two Leander crews. Facing tough competition from Leander in the championship events, UBBC had limited chances to claim victories, but BUCS Head offers an opportunity to demonstrate their strengths against university rivals.
Predictions
With the expected battle of dominance between NUBC and DUBC set to take place at this event, it’s fair to anticipate these crews being at the top of their game. Though with the inclusion of crews from Imperial and Edinburgh, the victory may not so easily fall in the laps of Newcastle or Durham. With Durham already holding a win for this boat class on these waters, a repeat of events is highly likely.
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