Junior Eights:
After a morning of time trials and heats, a field of 21 has been narrowed down to 8, who return to the 1500m course tomorrow morning for 3 more sets of racing to crown the victor of the Peabody Cup. With only a 2.4 second gap between the slowest and fastest qualifying crews, Sunday is sure to be a day of neck and neck racing.
Wimbledon HS vs Goldphin and Latymer
After taking the lead in the start it, despite G&L’s valient efforts it seemed that Wimbledon HS were untouchable, gaining 1.25 lengths of clear water and 5 secs over their opposition by the finish after continuously pulling away. Tomorrow they face Hinksey Sculling School who, despite their name are very accomplished sweep rowers too.
Latymer Upper vs Tideway Sculler’s School
While on paper it may seem like the TSS crew were more accomplished with a number of GB trialists , it was Latymer that beat them to the post by a solid 6 seconds, 1.5 lengths. Again it seemed that Latymer were quick off the start and settled down to a solid rhthym, churning away and gaining inches every stroke. Tomorrow morning they are paired with Surbiton, who’ve been looking in top form all season and were given a by in the first round after their fantasic result at NSR, silver with a mere 5 seconds from gold.
Green Lake USA vs Enniskillen Royal GS (IRL)
Gaining 1/2 length at the Island and then continuing to extend their lead, Enniskillen took a decisive victory of 1 3/4 lengths while being setting the fastest time of the day, the only crew to go sub 5. On Sunday they race St Edward’s Teddies School which is sure to be a fierce race between these talented crews.
Shandon BC (IRL) vs St George’s College
After a rocky start from Shandon, St George’s took the lead in the early stages when both crews were just coming past the Island, however Shandon managed to keep themselves in a competitive position, with both boats remaining almost level all the way down. After a narrow victory of 3 ft, a mere 0.4 seconds, St George’s find themselves in the unfortunate position of being pitted against Henley RC tomorrow morning. Coming off a stellar win at NSR, HRC remain the favourites for this race, but St George’s are sure to provide fierce competition.
Junior Coxed Fours:
Coming down to the HWR course for their first day of racing, 8 of these 18 crews will return tomorrow for quaters, semis and then the main event at 15:55.
Aberdeen SRA vs Henley RC
HRC took a decisive victory on their home turf, creating the biggest margin of the day with 3 1/2 lengths which is almost 11 seconds. Without meaning to jinx their future races, one word to describe their row is invincible. Tomorrow they face a composite crew but if they continue in the same manner they should doubtless make it through to the semi-finals.
Yarm School ‘A’ vs Yarm School ‘B’
After an intraschool competition, it comes as no surprise that Yarm School’s A boat beat their B boat, rowing a cleaner race with a level of composure not often seen in junior crews. Although they set the slowest time of the day’s racing, potentially this comes with the certainity that a friendly heat brings, tomorrow’s racing against Kingston GS will give them a chance to prove their mettle.
Clydesdale ARC/Molesey BC vs Shrewsbury School
Gaining a slight lead off the start and then maintaining it, the composite Clydesdale and Molsey crew beat Shrewsbury by 2/3 lengths, with the narrow margin of 2.6 seconds. In the next round they face Aberdeen, a highly accomplished boat club with many successes and GB trialists, so this composite crew will be in for a test!
Lady Eleanor Holles vs St Paul’s Girls
To much surprise it was this LEH crew that set the fastest time of the day being the only crew to manage a sub 5.30, with a 5.26.1. The age-old adage ‘last one, fast one‘ held true for this heat with SPGBC setting the 2nd fastest time of the day. Were it any other heat they would have qualified but their battle against the upstart LEH crew has proved predictions wrong. Tomorrow LEH face Shiplake, and while there aren’t many who can give Shiplake a run for their money, after today’s racing I don’t doubt that LEH won’t.
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