Reviews:
Eton College v Shiplake College
Off the End of the Island Eton had managed to creep themselves out for a 2 seat advantage over the boys in maroon. As the crews progressed down the course it was Eton who were moving out and had taken a three quarter length lead by Fawley. But this was short lived, when at the three quarter mile mark Shiplake moved right back. The Eton cox moved in closer to the yellow Empacher of the bees crew, attempting to show the turquoise boys who was leading, or perhaps in error. However, the move cost them heavily. Shiplake slipped right through and by Remenham and had the race in their hands. Yesterday, we saw a mighty surge from Shiplake, meaning that it was unlikely Eton could pull the race back into their favour but moreover would be aware of this. With Shiplake working through the gears, they pulled to a three quarter length win over the Eton boys, making history as the first Shiplake mens crew to make a Henley final and dispatching Eton, who have the most wins in the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup out of any school.
St Paul’s School v St. Edwards School
With a rematch of last year’s final the crew from St Edwards went out with all guns blazing as they attempted to steal some seats on the National Schools’ champions. Off the End of the Island the St Edwards crew had stolen seats on the boys in black and white, but this lead did not hold for long. As they settled onto race pace the Paul’s crew began to move away, managing to level the race before moving away through to Fawley in their typical effortless style. As the crew came up on Remenham, the Paul’s boat moved into the middle getting warned by the umpire for their steering. St Paul’s were in control of this race from the word ‘Go’ and as they came through the enclosures it’s clear that they had carved out a lead that Teddies couldn’t pull back. St Paul’s crossed the line one and a quarter lengths up, securing themselves a fourth consecutive PE final.
Preview:
St Paul’s School v Shiplake College
It is a strange duality that Paul’s, recent regulars to the final of the Princess Elizabeth, will meet Shiplake, who alike in reputation have never reached Sunday’s racing. No crew this regatta has gotten within a length of this St Paul’s and after a class season with them winning two out of the three of ‘The Triple’, it will take a lot for this Shiplake crew to be able to overthrow them. The Shiplake sprint is something that has managed to take them over the line ahead of their competitors twice now despite them being down for the majority of the race. If they’re able to hold contact with Paul’s by the enclosures the SPS boys will be in trouble. But with Shiplake having spent more of their bullets it will be hard to see them take down the crew from St Paul’s. Therefore, I predict a St Paul’s victory over the boys from Henley.
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