The Men’s Lightweight Pair is a true contest of technique and efficiency. With a large field of some very experienced and accomplished pairs racing this year, I have no doubt that this event will produce some really excellent displays of rowing.
Oxford
After a fairly decisive win at the Lightweight Boat Race this year, Oxford should go into BUCS with a good degree of confidence. This year’s crew rowed a long, dynamic and connected stroke – a pattern that should transfer nicely into the smaller boat. From the crew listings, it would appear that Oxford ‘A’ is the stronger of the two boats, featuring Edward Lamb – the stroke seat of the Oxford eight. I would fancy these boys to put on a strong showing and really challenge for the top spot.
Surrey
Surrey is fielding an accomplished and experienced pair in Jamie Gamble and Sam Bodkin. A cracking result at the Metropolitan Regatta saw them win the ‘B’ final in a fairly quick time, beating two Cambridge heavyweight pairs, including a winning Blue. These boys are definitely racers, and row a very long, connected stroke that should pay dividends for them in the often-blustery Nottingham conditions. Expect these boys pushing for a medal.
Cambridge
There are a number of Cambridge pairs entered here, and I would be surprised if at least one wasn’t pushing for the top spot. Cambridge ‘A’ – Matthew Edge and Cameron Mackenzie – should be the crew to beat here; rumour has it that they’ve been keeping pace with some of the Cambridge heavyweight pairs. Look out for Cambridge ‘C’ too, who are a college pair from St John’s College, but have been training almost exclusively in the boat class for the past few months. They recorded a decent result at the Met, too: third in Championship Pairs, a few seconds behind a heavyweight Oxford pair featuring James Forward, the young Oxford Blue. Cambridge will obviously still be smarting from their recent loss to Oxford in the Lightweight Boat Race, so expect some ferocious performances from the Light Blues.
Newcastle & Edinburgh
Newcastle have a good pedigree in lightweight rowing, and I can only assume that they will show up with some heat on the day. Every athlete that Newcastle is fielding in the pair has come up from junior level, so they won’t be short on experience. I would expect Newcastle to be on the hunt for a medal. Meanwhile, Edinburgh’s sole pair will be looking to contribute to Edinburgh’s proud history in the lightweight rowing circuit; I would imagine the pair of Francois Thebault and Zack Martin will be looking to put down a good marker, and challenge for a medal.
Cardiff & Aberdeen
The Cardiff pair of men’s captain Harry Millington and Robert Cadden is an experienced unit, and I would imagine they will crack along at a decent pace. Cardiff are historically a successful club on the Welsh circuit, so it will be interesting to see how they match up at BUCS. The Aberdeen pair of former BUCS winner Andrew Dunse (won the Men’s Intermediate Lightweight Single in 2019) and Dean Porter may also have a few tricks up their sleeve, so definitely one to pay attention to.
This event should make for some tight racing, but I might go out on a bit of a limb and predict Surrey for the win, followed by the top Cambridge pair, then Oxford in third.
Best of luck to all crews involved.
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