This weekend, university rowers from up and down the UK will descend a stretch of river in Newcastle with the aim of winning BUCS Head. From novices to establish veterans, the race represents an opportunity to see how you measure up against the very best. For several universities known more for their sculling than sweep, quads end up becoming the flagship boats. While the Men’s Intermediate Quad may not be the top-level event, that does not mean that they lack quality or depth. Quite the opposite. With several clubs fielding multiple crews, the field looks to be brimming with sculling talent willing to battle for the ultimate prize of winning BUCS Head.
Reading University BC
A club that is one of the primary centres of sculling in the UK, the quad has long been Reading’s flagship boat. Taking first and third in last year’s event, the current crop look set to continue the history of sculling excellence, winning the Men’s Academic Quad event at Fours Head as well as producing some good results at the recent GB trials. These included a third place finish for Louis Powell in U23 sculling event demonstrating that, at least at the top end, Reading is as good as it ever was.
Of the two crews that placed well last year, Trent Abraham returns alongside Tommy Fuller [brother of Para-rowing world champion Ed Fuller], Joseph Bates, and Davvid Wise. One would expect, given that they specialise in sculling for one of the Reading’s crew to gain at least a top-five finish, and gain at least a medal. They will certainly be the ones to beat.
Edinburgh University BC
Edinburgh has enjoyed a highly successful few years, winning the Women’s and Overall Victor Ludorum at BUCS Regatta before sending an impressive 42 athletes to Henley Royal Regatta, the second most of any club. Past success aside, Edinburgh has resumed its traditional dominance in Scottish rowing, dominating at Inverness Head in November, and producing good results at Rutheford Head.
Having finished fifth and tenth at last year’s BUCS Head, Edinburgh will build on its burgeoning sculling progress by fielding a competitive crew. Seb Answell, who helped his George Watson’s College crew to a stunning comeback against York City Boat Club in the Fawley last year is joined by Evan Smythe, a product of Edinburgh’s outstanding beginner programme, who was part of the victorious Men’s Beginner Quad at last seasons BUCS Regatta.
Edinburgh clearly has the depth of quality to put in a fair fight, but one wonders if they can go all the way. Certainly, a top-ten finish would be in order, but one wonders whether they can break the top five or even medal. We shall wait and see.
Surrey University BC
An up-and-coming university rowing club, it would be fair to say that Surrey has cemented itself as a strong contender in the University rowing scene. Under the careful tutelage of Sam Tuck, the men’s quad made the quarter-finals of the Prince of Wales last year, becoming the first non-composite Surrey crew to reach the stage since 1990. A successful BUCS later, Surrey has gone from strength to strength, with a highlight being Aidan Thompson’s recent performance at GB trials, where he came sixth overall. Thompson lends a hand to this crew and one would think that his inclusion alone would be enough to guide this crew to victory. Hyperbole aside, it’s clear that Surrey is on the up, and a strong performance last year could well be backed up by a medal or strong placing.
Prediction
Some other notable entrants include Durham, Bath and Queen’s University Belfast, each of whom would challenge for a medal on their day. Interestingly, there is no entry in this event from hosts Newcastle University, which must be a first in recent years.
However, with the event setting off with two crews from Reading, it’s hard to look past them for the win, and possibly even a one-two. Edinburgh look best place to upset this state of affairs.
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