For J16 scullers this is an event that can be seen as a stepping stone between the coxed quad events of J14 and J15 and the piping hot inferno that is Championship Quads. That being said, this event produces some outstanding racing between some very high calibre crews, for whom this is the pinnacle of their season. This year is no different with 25 crews fighting to claim the Forrest Cup.
Henley RC
Back to defend their title from this event last year are Henley. They are growing to be a dominant force in the world of junior rowing, with a programme that is the envy of many a club on both the girls and the boys side of the picture. In terms of this event there are two boats, and whilst the B crew will be a solid outfit the A crew is really one to watch. They took a tight win at Schools Head and followed this up with a joint 2nd place with Walton RC at the Junior Sculling Head. In terms of side by side racing they took a comfortable 10 second win at Wallingford. With such form Henley look odds on to take this event for a second successive year.
Sir William Borlase Grammar School BC
A club who seem to be undergoing a renaissance after a tough few season following the loss of long term head coach Robin Dowell, Borlase really do seem to be at top end of junior quads once again. This crew have been up at the sharp end all season long with a solid 3rd place at the Junior Sculling Head rounding off a winter that also included a win at Hampton. So far this summer they have taken 2nd at both the Junior Sculling Regatta and Wallingford, to different crews. Whilst a win may be a tough ask, a medal is certainly on the cards, provided they row as they have thoughtout the season thus far.
Windsor Boys School BC
Another club with a strong history sculling, this is a crew that will have an eye on the medals this weekend. As is typical of many Windsor Boys crew they had a somewhat lacklustre result at the Junior Sculling Head, finishing in a 3 way share of 12th place, though they seem to have found speed over the Easter period with the Junior Sculling Regatta producing a bronze medal, in a time that suggestes that the gap to the leading pack of Borlase and Henley has been closed massively. The pedigree of the club, and their ability to find speed means that crews can often come in under the radar and this quad is no exception to that.
Claires Court School BC
Another year, another Claires Court crew at the top end of their event, a testament to the work being done at the club. This crew will definitely be looking to have a say in the outcome of this event. They rounded off their winter season with a win at the Junior Sculling Head, taking a 6 second margin on Henley and 7 on Borlase. They also competed at Wallingford Regatta where those two managed to turn the tables as Claires Court finished 3rd to the aforementioned. Looking at the times maybe the win may be asking too much of these guys but a medal is a distinct possibility.
Leander Club
It’s not often that Leander race at this age category but with a reputation such as the one that Leander holds, any crew that comes from the Pink Palace will always be in and around the mark. This crew had its first test of the water at the Junior Sculling Head where they finished 11th in a field that was separated by small margins. They were in Holland over Easter with the rest of the Leander Junior squad and seem to have found a real turn of speed. This was proven with a 5th place finish at the Junior Sculling Regatta. This crew seem to be picking up speed quickly, as can happen with a new crew as they gel as a combination. It will be interesting to see how this crew have stepped on, their first aim will probably be the A final and then from there, anything could happen.
Bryanston School BC
Another crew who fall into the ‘finding speed at a rate of knots’ category, this is a crew that not many will know about. A solid if unspectacular share of 12th place at the Junior Sculling Head will have done little to worry those at the sharp end of the field. However the Junior Sculling Regatta demonstrated that this crew are coming into the picture and demand respect. They finished 4th in the A final in a time only 4 seconds shy of the medals and if they continue to find speed at such a rate, the weeks leading up to the Regatta could make a big difference. Again, a crew who will want to firstly make the A final, and from there see where they end up, but certainly not a crew to be discounted.
Prediction
If I had to pick a winner, I’d call Henley to defend their title from last year. The other medals are more of a headache, with every crew able to make a case for themselves. I’d probably tip Borlase for silver and then a fistfight between Windsor Boys and Claires Court for the bronze. With all that in mind my A final would be (in finishing order):
1. Henley
2. Sir William Borlase
3. Claires Court
4. Windsor Boys
5. Byranston
6. Leander Club
BowLoader
About The Author
