Next up in the major tideway events is the world-famous Fours Head of the River! Racing this year on November 19th 2022 in the junior coxed fours event is a huge entry of 31 crews from 16 clubs and schools from across the country.
St Paul’s School
First off are the defending champions of the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup, perhaps the most coveted trophy in schoolboy rowing; St Paul’s School field three crews into this event out of a seven total racing during the day. Racing on their home stretch on the tideway St Paul’s is well-known for their speed in this event as well as schools head later in the year. Well-known for having a diverse range of ages in their champion first eight last year, St Paul’s entry into this event will certainly include some Henley-winning athletes.
Radley College
One of the oldest rowing schools in the country, Radley College made it all the way through to the final of the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup at Henley Royal last year before losing out in a tough race against the aforementioned St Paul’s. Certainly, a skilled racing squad Radley’s first eight transitioned from seventh at NSR to beating Eton College, the favourites and NSR winners, out of the competition on Saturday by just a quarter of a length having been led by Eton most of the way down the course. Radley College placed both second and third in this event last year, losing to the winners, King’s College by only one second.
St Edward’s School
Another of Oxford’s high-performing rowing schools, St Edward’s School, had an incredible season last year starting out with a strong third at School’s head beating strong crews from King’s College, St Paul’s and Radley. Maintaining their strength in the championship eight St Edward’s went on to win silver at NSR, although only beat King’s College by half a second. Finally, at Henley Royal, St Edwards were beaten by eventual finalist Radley College despite impressively leading them all the way to Fawley. Competing against them again at fours head next week it will be interesting to see how the table now stands.
Shiplake College
Current holders of the School’s Head course record and a force to be reckoned with in regatta season Shiplake College are certainly one of the strongest squads in the country, based in the heart of rowing just outside Henley-on-Thames. Shiplake only enter one crew into this event out of a total eight competing across age groups and in both mens and women’s events. Shiplake’s four placed fourth in this event last year placing only five seconds behind Radley’s second boat, later in the year and also on the tideway Shiplake went on to win both men’s champ eights and women’s champ quads at Schools Head 2022. Famed for their performance during heads season, Shiplake’s crews will certainly be in the running for the top of their events.
King’s College School
The defending champs in this event as well as one of London’s home teams, King’s College School enter three boats into this event. Last year KCS won in this event over Radley by only one second however, the first two boats were over 10 seconds ahead of the rest of the field. Maintaining their speed throughout the year, KCS went on to place third in the A final of champ eights at NSR beating strong competition from Radley, Shiplake and St Paul’s.
Other entries
Alongside the above entries are a number of crews from clubs and schools from across the country. Abingdon, Latymer Upper, Dulwich College, Emanuel, Bedford Modern, Shrewsbury, Kew House and the King’s School Chester are also competing alongside their frequent school rivals. Nottingham and Union, Team Keane and Maidstone Invicta make up the remaining club entries.
Predictions
With a diverse squad and enormous win just months ago, St Paul’s School will certainly be entering a fast boat into this event. Their fellow finalists Radley will follow closely behind with Shiplake and King’s College placing firmly above the middle of the pack.
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