Marlow Rowing Club ‘B’ vs Henley Rowing Club
The Henley mile course this morning acted as the showdown between local rivals of Marlow Rowing Club and Henley Rowing Club as they battled it out to reach the next round. Both crews knew as they sat on the start that they still have a lot ahead of them – the winner must go head to head with Hereford Cathedral School. Despite Henley R.C. having a strong start, Marlow R.C. did not let this rattle them. Henley’s lead of half a canvas coming past the end of Temple Island still did not break down the Marlow crew as they pushed ahead to the halfway point. The thought in the back of everyone’s minds; can the Marlow ‘B’ boat take on the Henley crew? By the time the race had reached the enclosures this question was answered. Marlow pushed into the final hundred metres with a very comfortable win, taking back the initial lead from Henley.
Hartpury College vs Seattle Preparatory School, USA
In one of the tightest races of the Fawley Challenge Cup so far, this race saw the international match between Harpury College and Seattle Preparatory School, USA. Right from the start, Hartpury College had taken a narrow lead, which only grew as the crews flew past Temple Island. As Seattle Preparatory School fell slightly back, they soon pushed forwards and caught up so both bows were in line once again. Coming through the halfway marker, Hartpury rated 35 strokes per minute and Seattle rated 37; both boys in the bow seat glancing over at each other across the tight margin. All eight boys grimaced as they reacted to each other’s movements and calls, Hartpury took the lead as Seattle pushed forwards, Seattle added more pressure behind each stroke as Hartpury upped their rate. Eventually, Hartpury gained just three-quarters of a length ahead of their competitors, being urged forward by the bow of the Seattle boat. Coming up to the finish line, it was Hartpury College who took the win by around half of a length, and who will be competing against Windsor Boys in the next round of this event.
Claires Court School ‘A’ vs Great Marlow School
Since winning the Fawley Challenge Cup in 2016, Claires Court School will be wanting to retake this title 7 years on. Great Marlow School took the initial lead by half a length after emerging from the shelter of Temple Island into the more exposed area of the river. The two crews communicated beautifully throughout; as Great Marlow upped their rate, Claires Court responded by adding pressure behind their blades. With the two crews pushing towards the enclosures, Great Marlow had the slightest advantage which spurred Claires Court on for their final push, their blades became aligned, their bow balls raced towards the finish line, and as the Great Marlow bow seat glanced over at the Claires Court boat’s alignment, their opposition set on one final push and flew through to the finish line. From falling half a length behind to winning by almost a length and a half, this round was taken by Claires Court who will be racing the Australians from Sydney Rowing Club later in this event.
Thursday Previews
Windsor Boys vs Hartpury College
Both consistently successful crews, the Windsor Boys and Hartpury College quads will ensure a great spectator’s race as we head into round 2 on Thursday. Following the race between Hartpury and Seattle Preparatory School today, the Hartpury rowers will be looking forward to racing a familiar crew with whom they can better predict the results and strategies around. However, I predict that even if Hartpury are able to execute a perfect race plan they will inevitably fall short of the well-established favourites to win in Windsor Boys School.
Tideway Scullers School vs Sir William Borlase Grammar School
With the crews from Tideway Scullers and Sir William Borlase facing each other in the A final at NSR back in May, it will be exciting to see this rematch head down the track. Albeit Tideway put in an impressive performance today against Hinksey, it is Phil Gray’s Borlase outfit who will likely take the win after dominating over their Tideway counterparts by 16 seconds down the 2000m course. With the more testing conditions and factors that the Henley course calls on, successful race plan execution will be key for these boys however i can see that if the Borlase crew execute their race plan well this should hopefully put them in a good place going into the further rounds.
Leander Club ‘A’ vs Kingston Rowing Club
Kingston Rowing Club owned their race today; from the starting blocks until they finished with multiple lengths of clear water the race belonged to them. The strength of these rowers was proved throughout as each and every stroke powered them along ahead of their opposition. It would be no surprise for Kingston to do well later in the week, after their comfortable victory today. Their opposition tomorrow will be the Leander Club ‘A’ crew, who are promising an impressive race following the performance from their ‘B’ crew earlier today. The Leander crew have come straight into this second round, so will be one step behind their competitors, but given that this is their familiar stretch of water that will make little difference. Leander Club ‘A’ will be the favourite for their race tomorrow, and I think that their home cheering will make all the difference.
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