With just 3 entries in this event, and two of them being from the Reading Blue Coat School, there is not too much competition to write about. This race should give a good indication as to how Shiplake will row for the rest of the season. This event gives the juniors an insight into what it is like to race university crews, with an agglomeration of Oxford colleges and even some bigger names with Goldie and Upper Thames racing.
Shiplake College BC
Shiplake had a wobbly start to the season, but they are renowned for picking up speed as it goes by. The Henley stretch will therefore be a great place to show that they’re capable of fielding a strong squad and taking the win in their stride. The Shiplake boys beat the Reading Blue Coat School boys at this year’s Quintin Head by over 30 seconds, which bodes well for them here.
Reading Blue Coat School BC
The ex-Brookes women’s squad coach will have laid down the tempo through the winter months at his new Club, which could show brightly here. After an 8th place at Quintin Head, the squad will be raring to show their speed on the straight this weekend. It will take a while for the club to find their feet under their new coach but there’s definitely a strong squad in there. The club is fielding two 8’s which I assume will be matched.
Predictions
Based on the results from Quintin Head, I predict that Shiplake will take the win against the two Reading Blue Coat crews. However, both may have developed at different rates over the last month or two, meaning that there will definitely be some interesting racing this weekend.
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