Reviews
St George’s College v Wallingford RC
The first Prince Philip Challenge Trophy heat of the year began with a bang, as both St George’s College and Wallingford RC made explosive moves off the start. With both crews holding level up to the quarter-mile mark, Wallingford’s strength in the legs saw them out to a half-length lead by the Barrier, which they extended to a length by the half-mile mark. Showing no signs of tiring, the ladies in red pushed on, ultimately cruising over the line and fending off a final surge from St George’s in their wake. A well-oiled machine of a club, just upriver from this infamous Henley stretch, these Wallingford girls are certainly a crew to keep our eyes on as they progress through the Regatta, with National Schools’ Regatta silver medals already collected in the fours this season. They may just give St Edward’s School a closer race than they’re anticipating in the next round.
Marlow RC v Sir William Perkins’ School
After losing to the ultimate victors – Greenwich Crew – last year, Marlow likely came into today’s heat of the Prince Philip Challenge Trophy with confidence after a solid sixth-place finish at the National Schools’ Regatta. Ever a presence in the later stages of events at Henley Royal, Marlow’s powerful yet graceful style has clearly been impressed upon this crew, as they personified the swan emblazoned upon their kit. Holding on to their two-length lead all the way up to the Progress Board and across the line, Marlow will be raring to go again and at least advance into the second half of the week.
Kingston Grammar School v Latymer Upper School
A level playing field off the start set the tone for what was to be an exciting tale of cat and mouse all the way down the track for these London-based rivals. Kingston broke away first, but Latymer – who will already be feeling celebratory in their 400th year of establishment – knocked on the door all the way down. Past Fawley, it was bowball to bowball, but Kingston came out on top, working their way through each seat of Latymer on their hunt to the line, which concluded in a one-length victory and affirmed their place against Californian hotshots and third-place USRowing National Youth finishers, Marin Rowing Association.
Previews
St Edward’s School v Wallingford RC
After an emphatic performance in their first run down the track, Wallingford will be ready to do it all over again and put the pedal to the mettle against National Schools’ Regatta silver medalists in the eight, St Edward’s (Teddies). Both crews are coming into this with ample pedigree to their names, but will Wallingford’s more recent eight-oared assembly be enough to topple Teddies? We’ll all be eagerly awaiting.
Winter Park Crew, USA v St Catherine’s School, Australia
It’s something of a shame that we’ll witness two of the strongest international schoolgirl eights in the draw face each other so soon in the Regatta. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t be Henley without slightly brutal matchups so early on, and we’ll certainly be in for some excellent racing as the Floridians in their famous flamingo pink will be gunning to make it three years in a row of reaching the weekend. I have a feeling this gusto will help to drive them over the line ahead of St Catherine’s, but Australian crews don’t travel all this way to go back down under without a fight – watch this space.
Shiplake College BC v Henley RC
In what will be a National Schools’ Regatta fourth and fifth match-up on the Henley straights, it’s safe to say the home crew holds a slight advantage going into proceedings. Make no mistake, Shiplake are always a classy outfit under the management of Dan Safdari – as shown by this afternoon’s emphatic performance over Godolphin and Latymer – who will be keen to see his girls advance once again into the latter stages of the contest. Overall, this promises to be a heartily-fought battle, but I think Henley might just edge it on the day, not least for fresher legs and the home advantage.
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