With the start of the exciting regatta season comes the second ‘Scullery’ event, the Junior Sculling Regatta. A solely junior event, environments such as this are perfect to encourage the next generation of athletes. With almost 500 entries and this year’s cohort full of young hopefuls and established names, the WJ15 4x+ is no different. With a few underdogs coming through I am hoping this event will showcase the excellent drive in these athletes via some nail biting races.
City of Bristol Rowing Club
A top 5 contender for sure, this crew has been working their way up since last season. After finishing ninth at last years National Schools, this boat has trained hard, shown by placing fourth at the Junior Inter-Regional Regatta in March where they missed out on a place on the podium by only one second. After having success taken from them, will this be the place to right the wrongs and reassert themselves in the top 3?
Marlow Rowing Club
A new but already impactful crew in the quad, I predict Marlow to challenge some of the previously dominating boats. They may be new to the quad scene, but they aren’t inexperienced in national racing. With a fourth at National Schools and a second place at last year’s JSR, Marlow’s octuple was competitive. But with the switch to the quads, they have certainly further asserted themselves as a contender, placing second at Junior Sculling Head. I am sure to see one of these crews in the A-final, if not battling for the podium this bank holiday Monday.
Sir William Perkins’s School Rowing Club
With an entry of two crews, Sir William Perkins show confidence in their skill in the quad. However, with them planning to race at Wallingford Regatta just a day before, tiredness might pose a challenge to their ambitions. Yet, after taking third at Hampton Head earlier this year there is definite promise shown (especially when against a smaller selection of some of the most cohesive crews). They have also proven their potential on the Dorney Lake course previously, gaining top ten positioning at the Junior Sculling Head, so I wouldn’t overlook them.
Headington School Oxford Boat Club
Due to the end of the 8x+ many teams have made the decision to split their successful boats into two, concentrating the hard work that each athlete puts into the smaller boats. Headington School Oxford is no different, with it so far working in their favour. They got a strong result at the Junior Sculling Head where they took third: albeit behind fellow competitors here Marlow RC. In my opinion, these crews have the potential to go the distance this year, rising to the top of the ranks.
Great Marlow School Boat Club
Starting off the draw, this boat is one to be feared (and rightfully so). After taking silver at this event last year, Great Marlow School has moved onwards and upwards. Their ability has been tested but it hasn’t stopped them: they showed their time trial capabilities by winning Junior Sculling Head by 12 seconds; they beat many of their fellow competitors at the Upper Thames JIRR Trials and dominated the field at the Junior Inter-Regional Regatta itself. This boat should head into Monday confident and ready to maintain their title, as I am sure the rest of the field will see them as a major threat.
Henley Rowing Club
Many already know the lengthy history Henley has in junior racing. Browsing the course records, it is obvious that previous and current crews are incredibly talented. This boat is surely no exception. Bursting onto the scene early last year, medals and trophies were snatched up by this boat where they gained titles in the WJ14 x+ at National Schools and Junior Sculling Regatta. From last year’s perspective, one would never foresee their opening of this season, a standout moment being when they were pipped to the post at JSH by the Headington crew, losing out on third by just 0.3 seconds. But with this new fire, I think Henley can truly gain the power needed in a side by side to cross that line first.
Predictions
With a long day of racing ahead, I believe that Great Marlow School will continue their streak in the WJ15 quads, being driven on in the side-by-side environment. Like many races at this event, it will eventually lead to a close fight for the rest of the positions. Though hard to predict, I think Henley and Headington will become mixed up in a battle for the line, letting Marlow take advantage finishing in silver. This would leave Henley to just tip themselves into bronze, resulting in Headington School Oxford taking the 4th this time around.
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