The West Cup for School Third and Lower Eights is not only a true test of squad depth for some of the biggest names in Junior Rowing, but also a platform for those who missed out on their school second eights, to show what they can do, at arguably the biggest stage in Junior Rowing; National Schools Regatta. Given that due to harsh weather they were robbed of an opportunity to race at Schools Head, it’s likely they’re hungry for some fast paced racing this Saturday.
Eton College
It’s no surprise that Eton, a club renowned for squad depth, have produced a third eight that could make some second eights tremble. On home water, in the time trial of BASHER regatta, they demonstrated their dominance over the field, finishing with a time 18 seconds clear of the next fastest third eight, Hampton School, only 1 second behind Bedford’s Second Eight. They further cemented their position in the rankings, when they beat Bedford and Hampton, in the third eight category at Bedford Regatta. It has been a few weeks since these results however, and provided they haven’t fallen into complacency, they should be looking to repeat the 1 second victory of last year, most likely more convincingly.
Hampton School
After a rather average performance at last years NSR, sitting right in the middle of the table, Hampton will no doubt be hoping to raise their game, and push for that top 3 medal winning finish. Looking at competition so far, it seems they are in with a chance. The BASHER time trial saw them finish ahead of both Abingdon and St. Paul’s. This likely gave them some confidence for the side by side racing, however this may not have been in their favour, given that they then lost to St. Paul’s. Having lost to Eton on two occasions, I imagine Hampton have been training hard to make up that gap. They did not have a Schools Head entry, suggesting that maybe their eight was a late formation, and so its possible they are waiting to show off a large step on at NSR.
St Paul’s School
It’s easy to overlook many of St Paul’s achievements, given the immense shadow of their 1st eight’s record breaking 2018 season. Last year, they also came out with a 2nd and 3rd eight bronze. Their third eight this year seems in position to potentially reproduce or improve upon this. After a lacklustre time trial at BASHER, finishing more than 10 seconds behind Hampton, they redeemed themselves, with a length victory over Hampton in the side by side racing, suggesting they are likely to be in the mix for those bottom two medal winning spots at NSR. Take these predictions with a pinch of salt however, given that there are 3 third eights who we have not yet seen race, including Radley, who last year overturned Pauls to take the silver.
Abingdon School
Despite finishing only two seconds behind St. Paul’s in the BASHER time trial, they failed to make the same step on in the side by side racing, ending up ranking below Eton, Hampton and St. Pauls. I expect they are putting in the hours in an attempt to climb the rankings before NSR.
Bedford School
Unfortunately, Bedford were unable to fend of the pace of Eton third eight on their home stretch in Bedford, and ended up losing with the verdict: easily. Aside from this not much else is known, but given the margins between Eton and all of the crews, it would be wrong to write off Bedford simply from this result.
Radley, Shiplake and Kings College
These three crews are yet to race this regatta season, and so theres no telling what the rankings truly look like at this moment. Radley performed well last year and took the silver and so we could see them pop up on the high end of the leaderboard this Saturday. Given last years 8th place, Shiplake may not prove to bring much competition, but you never know. Kings didn’t race a 3rd eight last year, so it’s a clean slate for them.
Predictions
It’s difficult to judge since there are some big crews yet to reveal their speed, however it remains likely that Eton will claim that top spot once again, with the likes of Hampton, Pauls, Bedford and maybe Radley fighting out below for the remaining medals. It looks like its going to be tight for the bronze and silver this year.
Good luck to everyone racing!
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