It’s that time of year again, the National Schools’ Regatta is back. The biggest and most important event of the year for these J16 eights, the pinnacle of the junior rowing season. It goes without saying, that this is it. As expected, a full field with the large schools such as Latymer, St Pauls, Radley and more entering.
Latymer Upper School
It has been a very quiet few years for Latymer with no major results from their senior squad. However there J16’s are quiet the opposite, following a narrow defeat in the Op J16 8+ at the recent Wallingford Regatta that’s clear reason to back these boys and are well in the fight for the podium. Coxed by Marnie Graham Maw they have the essential role of ensuring these boys travel no further than 2000m by steering a dead straight line between the buoys. Which is by no means as easy as it seems.
St Pauls’ School
The main stream house hold name of schoolboy rowing. St Pauls’ have a good crop of young athletes coming through to their 1st eight in the coming years. This is evidenced by their slick J16’s who are coming off the back of a solid winter and have already picked up some encouraging results at the early regattas this season. Most notably picking up a 4th place finish at Wallingford Regatta.
Radley College
The favourites coming into this event from their great success at Wallingford Regatta winning the Op J16 8+ by a handful of seconds. In addition to this Radley also won the Champ J16 8+ at the Schools’ Head of the River, consolidating the fact they have a quick and slick 8+. Stroked by Oliver Ridgewell and backed up by Gabriel George, Radley have a solid stroke pair who I am sure will be setting some strong rhythms all the way down the boat to William Lowrie in the bows.
Reading Blue Coat School
By far one of the most exciting and improving schools’ programmes around. Reading have been on an exponential increase over the last few seasons which is excellent to see. Placing 8th in last year’s regatta they are certainly capable of improving on that and potentially making it into the A final.
Worthy Mentions
The likes of Kings College, Shrewsbury and Abingdon also have entered and could well be in the mix for the minor A final places. Definitely crews to watch out for. Also a special mention to St Joseph College Ireland who are stroked by Sean Roche and making the trip over. Could they be in the mix? We will find out soon.
Predictions
Radley are certainly the in-form crew and I would back them to win. Second place is less clear cut, with the likes of Latymer, St Pauls, Westminster and more all in the running’s it’s gonna be a close one. Without sitting on the fence I recon Latymer second and Shiplake to come third. Finally, do keep an eye on the boys from Ireland, who knows what they are capable of.
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