The Oarsport Junior Sculling Head is one of the most highly anticipated events in the rowing calendar, where 63 WJ15 quads will race twice down the iconic Dorney Lake. With regatta season quickly approaching, the Junior Sculling Head has come around again as the yearly marker of the progress all crews have made over the winter and a predictor for the results to come this Summer.
Headington School Oxford Boat Club
After a commanding 35-second lead at Kingston Head, Headington School Oxford Boat Club, who were trailing behind last year, are back stronger than ever. They scraped a 17th-place finish last year at the Junior Sculling Head in the WJ14 quads and a WJ14 8x+ 12th-place finish in a field of 16 at the Junior Sculling Regatta. They improved to gain an eighth-place finish in the WJ14 4x+ at the National Schools’ Regatta. These results show a good foundation in both quads and octuples, setting them up well for the 2025 season. Unfortunately, since most racing on the Thames has been cancelled this season, there haven’t been many opportunities for this squad to show their prowess, so hopefully, the Junior Sculling Head will give them a shot.
George Watson’s College Boat Club
George Watson’s College Boat Club gave the whole rowing scene a shock with their unexpected results in the WJ14 quads last year. After beating Henley Rowing Club to gain a first-place finish at the Junior Sculling Head, they then slipped slightly down the rankings to a fifth-place finish at the National Schools’ Regatta. These results may show that they have an aptitude for head racing, and going off second in the draw will give them a chance to prove this.
Maidenhead Rowing Club
Maidenhead Rowing Club peaked last year in the WJ14 quads at the National Schools’ Regatta, following their previous third place at the Junior Sculling Regatta. Having two quads in the same A-final of the National Schools’ Regatta is an impressive feat that shows the sheer depth of the Maidenhead squad. After qualifying for Henley Royal Regatta in The Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup last year, there will be high expectations for the upcoming juniors, and with two quads entered again at the Oarsport Junior Sculling Head this year, going off first and third, will Maidenhead manage to maintain their lead over the rest of the field?
The Grange School Rowing Club
The Grange School Rowing Club are off fourth at the Junior Sculling Head next Wednesday, and after winning the North West region JIRR trials by seven seconds in the WJ15 quads, spirits will be running high in this squad. Before JIRR trials, the North of England Head of the River Race was the most recent chance for The Grange School RC, where they showed their dominance by winning by nearly a minute over the nearest inter-club competition in the WJ15 4x+. At the National Schools’ Regatta last year, The Grange School BC came fourth in the WJ14 8x+. Switching to a new boat category for this year may just get them into a medal position.
Prediction
- Headington School Boat Club
- Maidenhead Rowing Club
- George Watson’s College Boat Club
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