Last year, as J15s, this Bedford School crew came second to King’s College School at the National Schools’ regatta. This year, at the Schools’ Head of the River, they placed second, again. This time, narrowly missing out on the gold medal position to Portora. They are eager to prove that they are not a silver medal crew, and have shown this with wins at Nott City and Bedford regattas, where they beat a strong J16 South African crew that had been selected and sent over to the UK to race.
Monkton Combe School have recently been building momentum and should not be underestimated. They managed to overturn Bedford School at the Junior Inter Regional Regatta, and should be a very competitive crew.
KCS have a great tradition in the Shawcross Cup and are always challenging for medals. Last year their J16 crew decided to race in the J16 Ch8+ category, and placed fourth – an outstanding feat. They were third at the Schools’ Head, but you can be sure that they will have stepped on since then and will be ready to race for gold this weekend.
Although they are mainly known for their sculling (Fawley winners in 2016), Claires Court School are branching out and trying their luck in larger boats. Last year their senior squad qualified an eight for the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup at Henley, so it’s clear that they have the ability to produce fast eights.
The Portora crew is made up of some of the best J16 Irish rowers from a number of different schools, and are the strong favourites for this event. With a commanding win at the Schools’ Head, it will take a very fast crew to overturn this Irish crew.
Bedford Modern have also shown good form in recent races and made the novice final in the Bedford Regatta.
Prediction:
Portora BC
Monkton Combe School
Bedford School
King’s College School
St George’s College
The London Oratory School
Reading Blue Coat School
Bedford Modern School
Claires Court School
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