Rounding out the weekend for men’s sweep is the pairs across every category, and every university will be trying to gather as many last points as possible as they all battle for the Victor Ludorum that will be crowned after the last boat crosses the line on Monday evening. With 35 confirmed entries into the event and the omission of the Brookes powerhouse, this event will be wide open to all competitors.
Newcastle University
Newcastle has two pairs entered into this event, and a pair also entered into the championship edition. It can be assumed both these i pairs are members of their 1v. Noticeably, it looks like Tom Brumwell has been split from old pair partner Ben Brockway (who’s been entered in the Champ 2-), and following a disappointing trials process this season, I am sure he will need no more motivation to change the narrative and prove his speed in the small boats.
Edinburgh University
This Scottish-based club will be hoping to make the journey worthwhile. Most noticeably, the Harry Fletcher pairing, I have been told to be the 4 and 5 seat of their championship eight and would be hoping to convert their power from the engine room of the champ eight into boat speed come the finals on Monday afternoon. With little knowledge of the other pairings, I guess all eyes should be on this pairing to have the best chance for the team in baby blue.
Durham University
The final university of the northern trio of contenders, the palatinate army challenge is not to be taken lightly. With two recognisable names in the rowing scene and another two entries rounding out their pairs, they will surely be a force to be reckoned with. Both March Turnbull (ex-Radley schoolboy ’22) and Will Morgan-Jones (ex-Hereford cathedral schoolboy ’23) will be hoping to get the better of their competition and each other. However, with both in their first year of university racing it will be interesting to see if they can step up their game to the next level and keep in the mix at the sharp end of the event.
Bristol University
Rowing’s most recent challenger onto the scene and no stranger to entering their top crews into the intermediate category, Bristol has entered all their pairs into the intermediate category. At the same time, their 8+ is deemed to be of championship quality. With this in mind, I hope to see at least one of the three combinations towards the front of the pack in the A final.
Prediction
Due to the lack of previous results to go on and the tentative nature of the small boats, this one could go anyway. For my money, I predict Newcastle’s Brumwell pair and Durham’s Turnbull pair to be fighting for the top spot, with Bristol not far behind.
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