Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup
Wycliffe Junior R.C. v Tideway Scullers’ School
What a first junior final of this year’s Regatta. An upset that many of us didn’t expect, Scullers’ victory over favourites Wycliffe served the press box and many predictors a slice of humble pie. Wycliffe had been chomping at the bit to make it the triple and lift the Cup, and it’s safe to say this was their race to lose, but it was Scullers who found themselves in the driving seat. Scullers have gone from strength to strength since National Schools and throughout their Henley campaign, and they picked the perfect time to peak, defiantly seeing off several Wycliffe attempts to fight back with their own decisive and formidable moves. Approaching the Enclosures, a length lead provided the final injection of confidence for Scullers to conclude their perfectly-executed race plan and secure the win in style.
Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup
St Edward’s School v St Paul’s School
This one left us breathless. With the ultimate accolade of schoolboy rowing at stake, there was no question about how much it meant to both crews to match up once again. Cat and mouse all the way down, national champions Teddies put their pure horsepower to use and, despite a few too many steering warnings, they retained their collected composure. Make no mistake, there was no sign of title-holders Paul’s letting up, who once again showed that they are always going to be a credit to schoolboy eights. By the Hole in the Wall, the surge from Paul’s that reduced Teddies’ lead to half a length had the press box on our feet. In the end, Teddies blasted over the line first, victorious by a third of a length, etching their names into the history books with a first Teddies PE win since 1999.
Prince Philip Challenge Trophy
Greenwich Crew, USA v Deerfield Academy, USA
This star-spangled final was another joy to watch. With so much junior rowing talent on display, these crews were a credit to their programs, seeing off the top British sweepers in their wake. Bowball to bowball by Fawley, Deerfield took an early lead and had to dig deep. But then came Greenwich. The USRowing Youth National Championships silver medalists took the lead by two feet at Remenham thanks to a monumental surge, just squeezing out in front. It remained all to play for, though, as Deerfield did not let them get away approaching the Enclosures. Having come from the back foot, Greenwich ultimately saw off Deerfield in a brutal hunt for the line.
Fawley Challenge Cup
Leander Club ‘A’ v Hinksey Sculling School
The last run down the track before the curtain fell on this Regatta. Bronze medal and fifth-place finishers at National Schools respectively, Leander and Hinksey have been the standouts in schoolboy sculling throughout this campaign. Following an exhilarating semi-final yesterday against Windsor Boys’ School, eyes were on Leander to produce something big today. A shocker of hitting the buoys off the start cost Hinksey the lead and, despite a smooth recovery, dreams of lifting red boxes slipped through their fingers. Leander cemented their dominance and, as rounds of applause for these final victors came into earshot, they sat back and relished in their glory. And so concludes the sheer spectacle of Henley Royal Regatta for another year.
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