26 crews will race for the Nick Bevan Cup in the Championship Coxless Pairs. Pairs racing can present some of the most exciting and tactical racing across any regatta. The international experience that is scattered throughout this event brings to attention just how strong this field is. After trialling for Great Britain in the pair, many choose to return to the boat class to show what they can do on the grandest of domestic stages, at the National Schools’ Regatta.
Radley College
John Gearing’s boys are arguably the favourites. Both these lads raced in the red, white and blue and this year’s Munich Regatta. Amongst their results, they came away with a silver medal in the eight. Radley’s Championship Squad are on track for another great season. For a school that traditionally has its highest peak at the beginning of July, Radley already have a fourth-placed finish under their belts from the Schools’ Head and they put three seconds into Shiplake in Band 1 eights at Nottingham City Regatta. This is a pair that will have no trouble rekindling their small boat speed that earned them a place on the national team.
Walton Rowing Club
Last season we saw what was a very successful junior programme from Walton. It culminated in their four progressing through a round of the Wyfold Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta. The Pairs entered this weekend features international experience in the form of Matthew Heywood who raced in the GB Men’s Eight at Coupe last year in Cork. Walton were on form at the start of the season placing second in J18 2- at Pairs head way back before Christmas. Given Walton operates a smaller programme compared to the big schools these boys will likely have had more time to fine tune throughout the whole season and as such this is a medal winning calibre pair.
Coleraine Grammar School & Enniskillen Royal Boat Club
Both of these Irish Pairs will coming to Dorney knowing they have speed, otherwise they wouldn’t have made the long trip. Enniskillen in particular are having a great UK season, placing sixth in Championship Eights on the Tideway back in March. Enniskillen of course have a history in this event, winning silver two years ago.
Best of the Rest
11 of the Pairs come from 5 Clubs. Norwich, King’s Chester, King’s Canterbury and Reading Blue Coat School all have two crews entered, while Bedford School have opted to enter three boats. Out of these entries the top pair from King’s Chester should, on paper, be the quickest crew given the depth of their Championship squad. That being said, the A crew from Bedford School raced in the engine room at five and six of their eight that finished fourth overall at last year’s NSR. Both Blue Coat and Norwich School have had great winter seasons finishing third and fourth respectively at SHORR. Expect to see some close racing between these two schools.
Last year, King’s School Canterbury won gold in Junior 16 Pairs. They’ll be hoping to repeat this feat despite the step-up in 2019.
Prediction
Radley to win followed by Walton, Enniskillen & Bedford. Not necessarily in that order.
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