While many clubs from the south of England descend upon the final Tideway tests at Hammersmith Head, those from further north are headed to Nottingham to take on the Head of the Trent. With only club crews entered into the top two bands of events, the open clubs of the north and midlands will measure off each other in chase of the Cliff Booth Memorial Trophy.
Agecroft RC
Defending champions from the last running of this event in 2019, Agecroft have had a solid season so far. Finishing both first and second at Worcester Head against minimal competition already this month they will be looking to carry the winning form against the stiffer opposition this weekend. They had a good autumn too with four boats in the top ten of club categories at Fours Heads. They will hope this form brings them back the Headship of the Trent for the third time in a row.
Royal Chester RC
Another traditionally successful northern club, Royal Chester RC have also had a solid start to the season. Notable results include a third-place finish in Club Coxless Fours at Fours Head. This demonstrates a speed in the top end of the club, but they have not raced much so far in the eights this year but the one result they do have to their name is a win at the Agecroft Head, taking down the hosting club. This crew will be wanting to replicate that result against the Salford-based club as well as beating the more southern clubs they will face this weekend.
Nottingham RC
Despite hosting this event, Nottingham RC have not won the Cliff Booth Memorial Trophy for winning this event in its almost 20-year history but will be looking to correct this fact this weekend. A shorter racing resume so far this season with only one crew racing at the Fours Head compared to the multiple crews the previous clubs mentioned. They also have already tested the Tideway with a 45th place finish in a large field at Quintin Head. They will hope that this experience at long races in the eights helps them to a first Cliff Booth Memorial Trophy.
Leeds RC
By contrast to the other clubs entered into this event, Leeds RC have looked North for their racing opportunities this season so far. Their first trip up to the Tyne at Rutherford Head in December was probably underwhelming finishing 22nd in a stacked field. Their February trip to Newcastle ended better, taking steps forward to finish fourth in a smaller field two weekends ago. This forward movement will be encouraging for their aim of the events, and as the highest starting Band 2 team they will be hoping to win that event.
City of Bristol RC
So far this season City of Bristol have kept their cards quite close to their chest. The Senior Men’s squad have had few entries. But when they did show their hand, it was with great panache, a club record entry at the Quintin Head in January. They left the Tideway with an impressive collection of results, notably 21st and 52nd finishes from their first two men’s eights, putting their first boat ahead of those from Lea and Marlow while the second eight was only a few seconds behind the Nottingham first crew. They will look to carry this form onto the Trent this weekend and beyond to the Head of the River back on the Tideway in March.
Derby RC
Derby RC have had some great results this season for club building. Commended by the British Rowing Awards panel for club of the year, they also won the Davidson Award at Fours Head for outstanding performance by a small club. The on the water results for the men have been quite top heavy. Seventh in Club Coxed Four at Fours Head and some brilliant performances at Pairs Head, there hasn’t been quite as much success for the other half of the eight, typified by 27th and 28th place finishes in Club Coxless Four at Fours Head. It will be interesting to see how these come together in the eight but they will be hoping their training on the Derwent makes this boat greater than the sum of its parts.
Predictions
While many of these eights have seen little or no high-quality racing so far this season, I think that City of Bristol’s impressive results at Quintin Head suggests that they may be the class of the field on the Trent this weekend. And while Royal Chester did get the better of Agecroft on their home water in October, think the results at Fours Head may suggest the Salford crew are ready to right that wrong and get the better of Royal Chester for second place in Nottingham.
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