March means one thing: that the end of the head season is near. The Tideway will host hundreds of crews with warmer days just around the corner. As the first event of the season with all the big names present, many clubs will be eager to see where they are relative to their competition. With several trophies up for grabs, the Page Trophy will be awarded to the fastest of those crews that row on the Thames or its tributaries, though not the Tideway.
Molesey Boat Club
As one of the leading programmes in the UK, Molesey Boat Club are quite familiar with the Page Trophy. Having retained the trophy for several years, they expect this to happen again in 2025. Finishing fourth at the recent Hammersmith Head and winning the Remenham Head, Ben Lewis appears to have all the tools he needs for another successful season in black and white. Following their victory in the Women’s Head of the River Race the other week, the men will hope for a similar fate.
Marlow Rowing Club
Determined to continue their progression through the club rowing scene, Marlow Rowing Club will want to build on their Wyfold Challenge Cup win from Henley Royal Regatta last summer. Finishing fifth at Quintin Head in championship eights whilst beating the respective entry from Thames RC, the feeling should be that they are heading in the right direction. Having lost to Molesey by only two seconds at the 2024 iteration of Head of the River Race, going one step further must be on the agenda.
Upper Thames Rowing Club
Having seen very little of Upper Thames Rowing Club on the racing scene this season, it’s difficult to know how they will line up against Molesey and Marlow. Given that they have entered three crews to the competition and have a strong number of athletes, they should be looking to improve on their 21st-place finish from last year’s Head of the River, where they were within ten seconds of claiming the trophy.
Predictions
Recent history sides strongly with Molesey Boat Club, and so does my prediction. Stroked by a Henley Royal Regatta winner and padded out with experienced athletes, it would take something special from their competition to displace them. Marlow Rowing Club should have too much for Upper Thames Rowing Club, though it’s difficult to know this for certain given the lack of racing we have seen.
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