Just two weeks on from our last Tideway visit, it’s that time again – round 2 for Britain’s swiftest scullers as they partner up in small boats for Pairs Head. The October chill can’t take away from the heat in this category, with old rivalries sure to flare up and lead to some intense racing and exciting results.
Wycliffe College Boat Club
Most recently seen storming the Tideway to sweep both the WJ17 and 18 categories at Scullers’ Head, Wycliffe are returning to Putney and the small boats for another shot at victory, dominating the entries list for this category, with six boats out of 15 competing. Their top-seeded boat heading into this event is that of Etherington/Martin – this duo took the top two spots in the WJ18 1x at Scullers’ Head, both placing in the top 200 overall and took bronze at the U19 World Championships in the quad over the summer. It’s no secret that Wycliffe are doing something right with their coaching. However, no other boat they’ve entered has quite the pedigree of these two, with Martin being the sole returner from last year’s National School’s Regatta winning quad, and Etherington fresh off a nine-second victory at Scullers’ Head over her crewmate.
Wycliffe’s second boat of Holbrow-Brooksbank/Anderson shows some impressive potential based on past results, and could certainly place highly this weekend. Holbrow-Brooksbank was third to Etherington and Martin at Scullers’ Head, and Anderson took victory in the WJ17 single in a time that would have placed her fourth in the WJ18 category, showing serious chops in small boats – not to mention her national title in WJ16 doubles back in May. Other highlights from Wycliffe’s entries include the top six finishers from the Scullers’ Head, as well as returners from last year’s B quad that won Girls’ 2nd Quads at the National School’s and progressed to the Friday of the Diamond Jubilee at Henley Royal. Expect these two to be hot on the heels of Etherington/Martin.
Tideway Scullers School
Another club with a point to prove, Tideway are known to bring strong crews to their home turf, and eventually to the international stage. A standout entry here is the double of Williams/Delevante – Delevante came second to Wycliffe’s Anderson in the WJ16 doubles at the National School’s last season, and notably landed a seat in the victorious Diamond Jubilee quad – also named JRN’s ‘Underdog Crew of the Year’ for beating the Wycliffe crew that they lost to many-a-time earlier in the year. Williams rivals the international representation behind Wycliffe’s forces on the sweep side, with an England vest to her name in both the coxless four and the eight at last season’s Home International Regatta. This fierce combination will be one to watch in this category. Off the back of their stunning HRR victory, only time will tell how TSS can continue to challenge through the winter.
Putney High School
Though perhaps lacking the power and strength of other, older crews, Putney‘s double of Parish/Habdank-Toczyska are certainly an exciting crew to keep your eye on. They return from last year’s J16 top quad that grew through the season to take fifth at the National School’s, make the final of Henley Women’s Regatta, and eventually represent GB at the J16 match against France. Parish has experience in the bow seat that will certainly be of advantage on the tricky Tideway course that Putney calls home, while Habdank-Toczyska stroked the quad to several strong performances last summer and so will likely take this rhythm into a fast-moving double. We look forward to seeing how Putney High can build through the season and take on other titans of the Tideway this Saturday.
Predictions
It’s ultimately impossible to look past Wycliffe’s rich recent history in head seasons and on the Tideway, so I’m predicting Etherington/Martin for the win. Behind them, it’s tight between Holbrow-Brooksbank/Anderson and Williams/Delevante, but given Wycliffe’s apparent sculling focus this year I’d have to predict these powerhouses to come in second over home favourites Tideway Scullers.
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