Reviews
Durham University ‘A’ vs Oxford Brookes University ‘B’
Seeking to reach only their second semi-final in the history of the Temple Challenge Cup, Durham University lined up against Oxford Brookes ‘B’ with a shot at history. The northern crew set off with a blast, leading Brookes to the quarter-mile sparking optimism for the palatinate camp. However, coming off the start, the Brookes rhythm set in and the Durham crew just could not compete. Brookes had the lead by the barrier and there was open water by Remenham Farm. In the last decade, the burgundy steam engine has been all but unstoppable against domestic opposition and even this crew drawn from a little lower in their stable has all of the dominance of the higher-ranked crews boated by Richard Spratley and his team. The Durham crew will be disappointed to fall so close to the weekend, but after lasting longer in the week than any of their northern rivals in this event and having lost by just a length and a quarter to a top-class crew: they will be able to enjoy the weekend from the bank with pride in their performance.
A.S.R Nereus ‘A’ vs Harvard University
In the tough Henley conditions, there was some doubt whether or not the lightweight men from Harvard University would be able to swing it when push came to shove. In the pouring rain of Friday evening, this was put to the test as some of the strongest rowers on the continent from A.S.R Nereus. Off the start it was beneficial to be bigger and stronger, with the Dutch crew establishing a quarter-length lead by the barrier, but the lightweights were not going down easily. Through the second quarter of the race, they surged through, overhauling the Nereus crew by the Fawley marker and walking past them to a length’s advantage through the enclosures. Not needing to use their full sprint, the Harvard lightweights eased to a two-thirds of a length victory to book their spot in the weekend.
Previews
Princeton ‘A’ vs Oxford Brookes University ‘B’
On the precipice of history, Oxford Brookes have the capability to do something truly special. After putting both of their crews into the final of the Prince Albert Challenge Cup today – the first university to achieve that feat. Tomorrow they have the opportunity to match that in the Temple Challenge Cup. The tightest leg of this comes for the ‘B’ crew against Princeton ‘A’. The fifth-ranked crew from Oxford Brookes face the second varsity eight from Princeton. This crew, undefeated in dual racing throughout the season the Tigers have refound their form over Newcastle, Durham ‘B’ and Nereus ‘B’ after losing to Washington at the IRA Rowing Championships. They will be a tough test but with ultimate history on the line, it’s hard to bet against Brookes.
Oxford Brookes University ‘A’ vs Harvard University
Any campaign from an overseas university crew coming to compete at Henley inevitably passes through Oxford Brookes, the twice defending and nine time champions loom large over all others in the Temple Challenge Cup. Coming across the Atlantic to challenge them is the lightweights of Harvard. Undefeated champions in the IRA Champions, they have led all they competed against since the Head of the Charles. That dominance has not stopped when they have arrived on British shores. Lining up at Marlow Regatta, they defeated all other Temple entries, including the Brookes entry, sending them back into seat racing to perfect the lineup. Both crews defeated Dutch powerhouses to make it to the weekend, and they will both settle for nothing but victory.
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