An event that produced one of the best races I’ve ever seen at the National Schools’ Regatta in 2014, when three crews tussled their way down the 2000m course, refusing to let each other have an inch. Marlow, who were heavy favourites approaching the event, eventually prevailed by a matter of feet but it was a classic contest which set the tone for world-class women’s sculling in the UK. This year sees another red-hot favourite take to the water, but we’ve seen expectations crumble and underdogs rise to the fore in the past – will the same happen again on Sunday?
Henley
A lot of focus has fallen on Henley’s eight this year, but it is safe to say the same performance expectations can be set for this quad. With three GB trialists this year who have Munich vests already this season, as well as Coupe and Junior Worlds experience last year, the calibre of this crew is undeniable. Even without being as well drilled in their sculling lineup as they will hope to be come Henley, their win at the Junior Sculling Head suggests they will still be the crew to beat on Sunday.
Headington
Another stalwart of the junior rowing scene, Headington have lost their swagger a little bit this year. They were rocked by defeat in the eight at the Schools’ Head of the River in March, which followed a devastatingly disappointing semi-final exit at last year’s Henley Royal Regatta. Headington have been gunning for that trophy since its inception in 2012, but have so far failed to get past each year’s victors. Their campaign for the trophy begins next Sunday, where they will face the sternest of tests in a dominant Henley crew and a rapidly improving Latymer boat. Ryan Demaine rarely misses a trick, but even he would admit that the odds are stacked against his crew this year – they’re the current holders and will be desperate to keep the trophy in their part of Oxfordshire. It’s a tall order though.
Latymer
Bronze medallists at this event at the National Schools Regatta last year, Latymer found themselves knocked out at Henley Royal, as most would argue, very prematurely. Taking the win in the quads category at the Schools’ Head in March, their first real challenge is yet to come as they face competition from the likes of Henley this weekend. A convincing performance to win Wallingford Regatta for the second year running puts them in a good position and with most of this crew unchanged from last season, Latymer look to be back with a vengeance.
Isle of Ely
Finalists in last year’s Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup, the Isle of Ely are back for what appears to be the first time this year. They have a couple of returners from that boat, including Junior Sculling Regatta silver medallist Molly Johnson. They didn’t race in the quads category last year, opting instead to win an impressive silver medal in the double instead. They’ll face serious competition to make the podium on Sunday but I fancy them to be very strong.
Tideway Scullers School
The standout athlete from TSS on the girls’ sculling front this season has to be Izzy Lack, who raced alongside Keen of SWPS, but we don’t see her listed in this lineup. TSS finished six seconds behind SWPS to take fifth place at SHORR, but finished 12 seconds ahead of them at Wallingford, as we expected with the absence in the SWPS crew. They showed good speed at Wallingford so should look to find themselves in that A final and perhaps in the race for the bronze medal.
Marlow Rowing Club
It’s pleasing to see Marlow reasserting themselves as a top-end junior women’s force. They haven’t really featured in this event since winning it, along with CHG2x, in 2014 but this year’s quad promises to get back amongst the pack. They finished fifth at the Scullery in March after managing bronze at the Schools’ Head the day before. Ideally, they’ll be looking for an ‘A’ final slot to aid their case for pre-qualification at Henley Royal Regatta in a few weeks time.
Globe Rowing Club
This is the strongest I’ve seen Globe in several years. They’ve got a very competent boys quad and arguably an even better girls quad, who finished fifth at Wallingford. Someone is obviously doing something right down there, as this club continue to improve. Although I wouldn’t expect them to be winning any national silverware this year, they’re building a strong foundation and it’d be a good result to feature in the ‘A’ final.
Sir William Perkins
Sir William Perkins had a good start to this year through the head season, finishing just out of the medals in fourth at Schools’ Head and 6th at the Scullery in a slightly more competitive field. Their top sculler Emily Keen was selected for the Munich International Regatta, leaving her crew to take on the start of regatta season without her at the Junior Sculling and Wallingford Regattas. No doubt they managed to hold their own, finishing third at both of these events, but perhaps a little further from the top placers than they’d need to be to stay at the top end of this category at NSR, so Keen’s return should hopefully bring them that added pace. Worth mentioning, however, that although we haven’t seen a lot of them, Northwich finished ahead of SWPS at the JSR, so might be another crew in the mix.
It’s worth pointing out that Gloucester, who finished second at the Schools’ Head and are the current holders of the Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup, are notable absentees – they often choose not to race at the National Schools’ Regatta so their introduction approaching Henley will be very interesting.
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