The Fawley has always been an event that has been dominated by the likes of Windsor Boys and Sir William Borlase. Nonwithstanding the quality of the traditional giants, the rise of Shiplake and others in developing quality sculling lead to a cracking day of racing and showed the quality of schoolboy sculling across the country.
Sir William Borlase vs Shiplake College
A traditional heavyweight of the Fawley Challenge Cup having won this event numerous times, Borlase came into this race as strong as ever looking to repeat the glories of regatta’s past. Shiplake on the other hand, have five entries over three events, as they look to replicate the success that saw their girls win the Diamond Jubilee last year. Both crews got off to a good start in torrid conditions with Borlase maintaining a slight lead towards the barrier. The bows were virtually neck and neck in the opening stages but coming towards Fawley Borlase stretched out to a comfortable lead which they maintained until the finish, despite a late burst by Shiplake, to win comfortably by four and a half lengths. A good win for Borlase over a new rival in junior sculling.
Westminster School vs Hereford Cathedral School
Traditionally a powerhouse of eights racing, Westminster School have made inroads into sculling in recent years, with the current crop looking to better results of crew’s past. Hereford on the other hand were relative unknowns, and one would have expected Westminster to dominate. However, fate dealt a cruel blow to their chances, as an early crab and broken blade just past the Island scuppered any chances of them winning the race. Hereford ran out easy winners in the end. A devastating blow for Westminster but also a good start for Hereford as they look to build some good form going into the later part of the week.
Marlow RC A vs Henley RC
Both Marlow and Henley are local clubs to Henley, and both have storied histories of success when at Henley. As one would expect, given that they know this stretch of water as well as most, Henley gained half a length at the quarter mile but were kept at bay by a Marlow crew that simply would not go away. The lead stretched back and forth, sometimes one and a half lengths, sometimes a length and a quarter, with Marlow trying to fight back and Henley maintaining their lead to the end. It was the men in white who held on to win and fight another day.
York City vs George Watsons College
Both York and George Watsons College are powerhouses of their respective regions, producing good performances at various regional as well as national regattas. Both crews got out of the blocks fast with the crews neck and neck through the island and into the middle of the course. York did a lot of the initial running but it was George Watson College who gradually ate into their lead and, coming into the grandstands, had opened up a small lead of their own which they maintained into the finish.
Previews
Sir William Borlase vs Windsor Boys School
Usually both these crews would meet at the end of the regatta after slogging it out against other crews on the road to finals day. However, this year they both meet each other on Wednesday. Sir William Borlase beat a strong Shiplake crew by four and a half lengths and showing that Borlase sculling remains as strong as ever. Standing in their way are the seeded crew, Windsor Boys School who have made the finals in this event four times in the Fawley, a success level comparable to Eton’s domination of the PE. A tough one to call but based on their success in previous years as well as putting out a strong crew this year, I would expect Windsor Boys to just pip Sir William Borlase in this one, although it could go either way.
Hereford Cathedral School vs Los Gatos RC USA
Another of the seeded crews in this event, Los Gatos RC are a welcome addition to Henley, having had regional success on the US club circuit. Hereford Cathedral School benefiting from a broken Westminster School blade to progress. They will be up against it though, as Los Gatos are a quality outfit and will take some stopping. A win for Los Gatos looks to be on the cards here, and Hereford Cathedral will have to pull something out of the hat if they are to outperform their American counterparts.
Windsor Boys School ‘B’ vs Gippsland Grammar School
Windsor, whose sculling squad is the stuff of legend, were involved in a barnstormer of a contest against Hartpury on Tuesday; the crews were level at the Barrier before Windsor drew away in the middle section to secure a win. They will face the might of Australia in a race that promises much; Gippsland are national champions in their homeland and if they can unseat this Windsor boat, it will set them up well for future success.
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