After having to go two years without the opportunity to take home the silverware at Henley Fours & Eights Head, crews will be eager to claim the top spot in 2022. The quality of crews is expected to be as high as ever with hopefully some competitive times in the Coxed Four category.
Oxford Brookes University BC
After their winter camp at Wimbleball Lake, Oxford Brookes has started off 2022 at their usual dominant level. With wins already under their belt in the eights from Quintin Head this will be their first opportunity of 2022 to start winning in the fours events as well. This crew is likely to be just as fast as we have come to expect from this programme and they will be a clear favourite to take the win in this event. However, Oxford Brookes has not always had luck when it comes to the coxed four and so if there was any boat class in which their dominance could be threatened this is the one, especially with so many athletes away at GB Trials.
Thames RC
Thames RC is no stranger to success on the Henley stretch of the Thames and I would expect this crew to be the closest challenger to the Oxford Brookes crew. While I expect Brookes to edge the win, I would not be surprised to see the times tight at the top and Thames certainly has the ability to cause an upset.
Southampton University BC
Southampton University BC is the only club with not only one but two crews entered into this category and likely one of them will be quick. Southampton consistently puts down competitive times and with BUCS Head not far away will be likely using this as an opportunity to check their baseline speed.
Marlow RC
On home water Marlow will be looking to put on a strong performance. With a recent win at Wallingford Fours & Eights in the Band 2 Coxed Four they will be wanting to follow that up with another competitive performance on the Henley stretch. Unfortunately, I don’t see them being able to defeat the juggernauts of Brookes and Thames but an upset from Marlow would not be completely off the table.
Prediction
Oxford Brookes to take the win in Band 1 Coxed Four with Thames close behind. A tossup between Marlow and Southampton university for third place.
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