After fear of cancellation, it is with great relief that Durham Small Boats Head is set to go ahead this weekend. Competition between the junior girls’ singles will be fierce, with many previous crew mates pitched against each other over a challenging 1800m stretch of the River Wear.
Hexham Rowing Club: Pugh and Nicholson
Hexham Rowing Club is one of the most successful clubs in the North of England, and off the back of an impressive 23/24 season, Hexham Rowing Club’s Pugh and Nicholson will likely be fighting it out for the top spots. Both girls were part of Hexham’s WJ16 quad last season and can boast several major results. Taking second place at the National Schools’ Regatta, followed by representing GB at the GB vs France match, before finishing the season on a high by securing second at the British championships, they share a vast range of experience that will certainly be useful this weekend when navigating what can be a tricky course. These two are certainly ones to keep an eye on.
Tees Rowing Club: Morley
Tees Rowing Club may be smaller, but they are certainly not to be underestimated. With only one boat entered into this category, I anticipate that Morley will be looking to compete with even the some of the largest clubs this weekend. Morley stroked the Tees quadruple scull at the National Schools’ Regatta last season, finishing fourth in the C final in the championship quads, a category known for its fierce competition. Morley is the oldest of these previewed crews, and with this experience, I don’t doubt that she will put in a good effort on Saturday to come out as one of the fastest in the category.
Durham School Boat Club: Cain
Another member of the renowned WJ16 Hexham quad last season, Cain is racing under the lesser-known Durham School Boat Club this weekend. After so many notable successes last year, Cain is far from short of experience; both nationally and on the River Wear. I predict that being pitched against her old crewmates, all whilst representing a different club will certainly push her to fight for a podium finish. Although I believe that she may fall short of first or second, I wouldn’t count her out of contention for third.
Prediction
The previous Hexham crew has competed almost exclusively in a quad over the last couple of seasons, so it is hard to say which member will come out on top in a single. However, in this race last year, Nicholson proved to be the fastest of the three girls, and therefore, I would predict that she may seize first place once again. I anticipate that this will be followed by a close fight for second between Morley and Pugh, with Cain not far behind.
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