At last, the National Schools’ Regatta has rolled around once again. As the most anticipated junior regatta of the season, some might say, juniors from all around the country have been preparing for this very moment in the spotlight. With a massive 30 crews entered into the Colonel’s Cup for Girl’s Junior 16 Quadruple, the competition will be fierce, with all eyes being on the prized podium positions.
Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School Boat Club
This crew from Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School Boat Club came fifth at Wallingford and, the following day, improved upon this to come second at the Junior Sculling Regatta. The gold medal is in sight for these girls, especially because Wallingford RC, who won at the Scullery, are notably absent from this weekend’s draw. I believe they will take the close racing experience they had and will translate it into taking the win at the weekend.
Molesey Boat Club
Molesey Boat Club’s Junior programme is growing from strength to strength, and this girl’s quad is no different. In this event last year, Molesey came away with a close third place and I’m sure the girls this year will be wanting to establish their dominance amongst the other crews. With this crew coming sixth recently at the Junior Sculling Regatta with the same crew, they will be looking to adapt and improve from this performance into a podium finish on the weekend.
Hartpury University and College Boat Club
Hartpury University and College Boat Club is one that has been emerging amongst the Junior rowing scene in recent years. After coming 18th at the Junior Sculling Regatta in March, these girls will be eager to improve and show their newfound speed this weekend.
Hereford Cathedral School Boat Club
This crew has been on an improvement curve throughout the season, having come 12th at the Junior Sculling Head in March, they then raced at the Junior Sculling Regatta against several of the other crews, Hereford Cathedral School Boat Club took home fifth place, being only five seconds off second place. This crew were coming 2nd up until the 1000m mark – so this crew will be aware that their second half of the race is the section they need to improve on. If they take on board these improvements, I have no doubt they will be battling it out for a podium finish.
Marlow Rowing Club
Arguably one of the most successful clubs for junior girls rowing, Marlow Rowing Club have recently been making their mark proving that they are a force to be reckoned with. In this event last year, the girls came fourth – missing out on third by less than a second. With this crew coming third in the B final at the Junior Sculling Regatta, they would have been training hard to close the gap. The girls this year will be eager to regain the podium position which they so narrowly missed last year.
Prediction
I predict the racing will be close, with Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School Boat Club just taking the win, with both Hereford Cathedral School Boat Club and Molesey Boat Club very close behind.
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