Fours Head is perhaps the premier sculling head race on the Tideway. With no Head of the River race for sculling crew boats this is their time to shine and put down some impressive performances. 22 crews are entered into the Women’s Club quads; a real boost for a discipline which often struggles with entries at events later in the season. A direct result of this makes it harder to predict than the club sweep events, so expect a close and exciting race this weekend.
Upper Thames Rowing Club
Last year’s champions Upper Thames RC will be aiming for back to back victories. The club have a strong sculling squad, which is growing each season. Victory last year was by three seconds and extending that margin this year would be an impressive step forward.
Mortlake Anglian and Alpha Boat Club
Mortlake Anglian and Alpha BC have home course advantage. The Tideway club have impressed in recent sculling events, making the semi-final of the Aspirational Quads at Henley Women’s Regatta in June. This followed a third-placed finish at last year’s Fours Head, which they will surely aim to improve on this weekend.
London Rowing Club
Fellow Tideway club London RC also have home course advantage, something that can make all the difference in a close race. The club have a number of new recruits who have boosted their sculling squad, including the likes of former Twickenham Start Centre rower Aoife Keane. This crew could potentially push Upper Thames close and victory would be a real boost for the club, having not been at the top of results boards in sculling in recent years. Replicating their second place finish in 2021 should be achievable.
Leicester Rowing Club/Nottingham Rowing Club
The composite crew from Leicester RC and Nottingham RC could be dark horses in this event. Formed from the top scullers across each club, this is an exciting crew who will be wanting to make the most of their trip down south and their debut racing together. They will rely on the experience of the likes of Titterington, who has raced this event multiple times, a significant boost when racing on an unfamiliar waterway. This is a crew that can certainly be in the mix and cause some upsets.
Prediction
This looks set to be a close race between London and Upper Thames. Both crews have strong sculling pedigree and experience racing this event. London may just get the win with their new look crew. Third place will be close between Mortlake Anglian and Alpha and Leicester/Nottingham, I predict the former to just about prevail on the day.
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