Raced over another reasonably short course of 30oom, the first head of the year on this stretch always serves up some entertaining racing as coaches start to get a better idea of how their squads are shaping up. The Junior Double event has an eight boat entry here, with some big names in the draw.
Hampton School BC
A three boat contingent here from home club Hampton who will no doubt be looking for strong performances on home water. The three crews come under the names of Bridge, Andrews and Forster. Bridge, who stroked last year’s 1st VIII, qualified to race at last weekend’s GB Early ID trials where he placed well in the single, despite being a sweep rower by trade. Andrews was in Hampton’s 2nd VIII last year whilst Forster was in the bow seat of the Hampton 3rd eight around the same time, so both will be looking to make a big step on this year. With home water benefit and Hampton’s pedigree of sculling at the younger levels these crews will without doubt be strong.
Magdalen College School BC
One of the newer names to the junior rowing scene and hailing from Oxford, Magdalen, like Hampton have a two crew entry. One of these crews comes under the name of Gant, who placed 2nd in both J18 1x and 2x at the Isis Sculls. This double was beaten by the other named crew, under the name of Riviere. This should mean that there will be a good inter club battle here which may help them challenge the crews around them.
Shiplake College BC
A name that is always associated with top end junior rowing, Shiplake have a single crew entered into this event. It comes under the name of Fox who I’m told is a new arrival for Shiplake this year. As such this crew is not one of the top crews from the Henley-based school but they will nevertheless put in a good performance.
Walton RC
Again, another single entry and this is a J17 crew racing up a year. The boat comes under the name of Cleary, who stroked a J16 4- at National Schools’ last year. In terms of results from this year, he seems to have really stepped up, at Weybridge Silver Sculls he was paired with Walton’s top athlete Matt Heywood and took the fastest JM 2x crew of the day at that event. Not knowing who he is paired up with here makes this crew hard to call, but Walton are always there or thereabouts.
Lea RC
The final entry here comes from Lea under the name of Thomas. I can’t find any info on him and so can’t on this crew specifically. However Lea have recently confirmed the appointment of Martín Cambareri after coaching Argentinian National Squad, which topped the league table at the 2018 Youth Olympics so this is an exciting time for Lea as a club.
Predictions
Another tricky one to call, especially over a short course where small differences will make all the difference. If the Walton combination is a Cleary/Heywood outfit i would be calling them to win it. However that is a very big if and the Hampton-Bridge crew will no doubt be up in contention as well. Therefore i think this event will be contested by these two boats.
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