Henley Fours and Eights Head has a small but competitive draw in the Women’s Coxed Four. Plenty of smaller clubs are entered into the event and it will be interesting to see how these crews go against each other.
Southampton University BC
Returning champions Southampton University will aim to back up their result from last year where they beat Reading by two seconds and were comfortably ahead of the rest of the field. At Fours Head in November their ‘A’ crew placed seventh in the Academic Coxed Fours, following a second place at Upper Thames Autumn Head. The crew will hope to go one better on the 3km stretch this time round.
Henley RC
On home water this Henley four should be the ones to beat. The crew won Upper Thames Autumn Head and despite not having raced since they will hope to have kept up this form.
Others
Minerva Bath women’s squad has grown hugely in recent years and they have two entries in this event. Their ‘A’ crew took a strong win at Monmouth Head in December and will aim to keep building on this. A development crew from Keble College are also entered, and the up and coming rowers will look to take confidence from this race. Llandaff Rowing Club are the final club to have entered in this category. A long way from home, the Welsh crew will aim to get on the podium.
Prediction
We predict a tight result between Southampton and Henley, with Henley taking the honours.