In what is undoubtedly one of the largest university rowing events in the British calendar, hundreds of crews will journey up north to the River Tyne for BUCS Head 2024. With both a championship and intermediate category being offered for Men’s Coxed Fours we can be sure that the quality in this run will be high. With only four crews entered there is bound to be tension; the two home clubs of Durham and Newcastle, the Scottish titans of Edinburgh, and Imperial, the only southern club brave enough to make this entry…
Newcastle University Boat Club
Stroked by Ben Brockway, a talent that NUBC has been nurturing for the last few years, the Blue Star will be hot on the heels of anyone looking to take the headship from them. With Brockway in this boat, it is safe to assume that this is a top crew and potentially the same outfit that took victory in this event by quite a margin at Rutherford head. NUBC have been on the back foot in recent years but it looks like this season may see a storm brewing.
Durham University Boat Club
Stroked by Calum Betteley, a stalwart of the DUBC 1V for the last two seasons running, Durham are leading the charge in this category. Durham has been up an up with speed and squad depth over the last few years and are only going to want to go home with gold. Despite taking quite a beating from Newcastle in the same category at Rutherford head earlier this season, being as familiar with the Tyne as they are, DUBC are not one to overlook.
Imperial College Boat Club
ICBC have been a big contender in the coxed fours for the past few seasons and, as holders in this category, they are hard to ignore. Despite their non-native status on the Tyne, ICBC are more than comfortable with a tidal river as Thames residents for the last century. The boys in blue, black and silver will feel the pressure of the predecessors and will want to start the run-in to the summer in fine fashion.
Edinburgh University Boat Club
Standing up for the Scots, Edinburgh are the only crew making their way down south for this event and are more than prepared to give the southerners some hell. As a program on the ascendency, Edinburgh are a crew that punch harder and higher than their relative weight suggests. Entering as a curious underdog, the baby blue-clad boys are ones to watch.
Predictions
Newcastle are looking like home favourites. I would expect a tussle between Durham and Imperial for those silver medals, with Edinburgh waiting to pounce on any complacency…
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