The new generation are out for presentation as we get another insight into both the clubs’ progression since the last proper season, and the prospects for the abridged senior boats next year. The J16 Quads boasts a fairly large race this year, including several crews who didn’t race the same event at NSR last month. This race will therefore shed light on a new band of clubs, so paradoxically I’m hoping for some surprises.
Headington School BC
What’s interesting about this quad is it’s mostly J15s racing a year up — this alone indicates the strong results shown higher up in the club have trickled down to the rising athletes. Indeed, both the J15 and second J16 quads came second in the A finals at the JSR and Nat Schools respectively, so a podium result is likely.
Henley RC
Henley came third at NSR in this event by only a second in the A final. Given the time between then and now, it’s entirely possible that the Henley crews could have adapted to make up those mere seconds, so they could well return to take the gold.
Marlow RC
The always impressive Marlow junior section has not disappointed yet in this short season, snatching the win in the WJ16 4x- A final at NSR by 3 seconds and this same crew will take to the water this weekend. The battle for the podium at NSR was a close run one, with Marlow, Henley and Headington all putting up a good fight, this should lead to some very exciting racing this weekend.
Tideway Scullers School
Another club familiar with the Thames, albeit a very different stretch, is Tideway. This season they managed to perform well at NSR sitting comfortably in fifth in the A final of the WJ16 quads. They will therefore be familiar with a lot of the other crews they will be facing in this category and I’m sure they will be aiming to improve on this result and make it to the top.
Kingston GS
Similarly, Kingston Grammar came 3 seconds behind Henley at National Schools’ Regatta, so if Henley manages to shift up a spot or two on the podium Kingston surely will as well.
This might seem like a battle of the top six from NSR but there are many other boats that these crews should be looking out for. The composite Scottish crews are boats composed of hand-selected rowers from around Scotland- many of whom raced in successful boats at NSR and Alex Cassel was in the 6th placing George Watson College WJ16 4x- and will certainly be ones to watch. The girls from Nottingham and Union and Kingston RC also look strong.
Prediction
I think the contest for first will be between Headington, Henley and Marlow, but the battle for the top spots are certainly open to surprises. Unfortunately, the closest we get to an Oracle of Delphi will be the results at the weekend.
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