Metropolitan Regatta is one of the last opportunities for clubs, universities, and schools alike to see how their recent fine-tuning fares against clubs from across the country in the run up to the Henley series. In the open coxless fours event, we will undoubtedly have immense quality on show, its just a question of whether it can be put to show on race day.
Thames RC
Saturday & Sunday
With the absence of Leander, Thames will be looking to claim that gold that they just missed out on at Wallingford Regatta. Thames have made themselves the place to be for club rowing in the UK and have more than the legs to back it up. This season has shown us some close competition between London and Thames so it will be exciting to see if the champions will stand strong.
London RC
Saturday & Sunday
Neighboring Thames RC on the tideway, there is bound to be an immense amount of tension building between these two clubs in the run up to Henley Royal Regatta, and this will be another drop in the rivalry ocean for the two clubs. London RC have shown us this season why the tideway is also theirs; will this result in some exciting upsets come the weekend?
Kings College School BC
Saturday
Another resident of the Thames, Kings College School put in a valiant effort at Wallingford Regatta to reach the final of the challenge coxless fours, and have shown us that despite being schoolboys, they are more than a force to be reckoned with. Having just left Dorney with a respectable fifth in the Queen Mother Cup for open championship eights, they will be looking to build their accolades here.
Cambridge University BC
Saturday
Featuring members from Cambridge’s Goldie crew, we can be sure this four is of high quality. After their amazing run at BUCS Regatta, where they left Nottingham with gold in the championship coxless fours category and bested the likes of Oxford Brookes and University of London along the way, there is bound to be a run for some silverware in the coming weekend from this titanic club.
Eton College BC
Saturday
Another schoolboy crew with pace to burn. Featuring members from their heralded eight, Eton will be eager to dominate on their home stretch. Finishing fourth at the National Schools’ Regatta, by the smallest of margins just a few days prior, will have definitely lit a fire in the boys’ hearts to produce some big results.
Shiplake College BC
Saturday
The boys in black, maroon, and gold, who stole bronze from the Etonians last weekend, will be looking to hold this position and progress from there. Finishing Sunday as the highest-placing schoolboys out of the contenders on this list, the finesse and quality that is expected from Shiplake can be sure to knock on the doors of some of their elders.
Prediction
It is always hard to overlook the presence of Thames Rowing Club, and that is exactly what I am failing to do here. For the Saturday, I would expect a Thames 1-2, followed by a tight fight for bronze between Cambridge and London, with the schoolboys bringing up the rear of the A-final. For the Sunday, we can expect a slightly different result, with some slightly lower-ranking Thames athletes competing, but I would still expect a Thames gold, followed up by another Thames crew on the podium, with a tussle for bronze occurring between Galway and Durham universities.
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