The entry for the J18 2- Club category is an interesting one, mainly composed of those that have just come out of their respective clubs J16 squads. Shiplake have had the most notable results but it seems that the field is strong with experience in the coxless pair. Norwich have entered 4 pairs and dominate the entry; however, they have not provided names for their entries and this has made it especially hard to predict how well they will do.
Maidstone Invicta RC
This pair have done well in the past year and will be looking to continue it this year following on from The National Schools Regatta in which Polom came 4th in the A final of the J16 coxless pair event, narrowly beating the Walton pair by less than a second. However, their lack of notable wins makes it difficult to distinguish whether they can beat the Shiplake pair or not. Last year Polom placed 275th in the overall rankings of Pairs Head and 6th out of 8 in this event, and therefore Polom and his partner will be striving to up their rank.
Shiplake College BC
Shiplake will be focusing on dominating here, and they are looking strong enough to do so. Wombwell will be in the pair with Federico Focosi who is making his Shiplake debut, fresh out of Italy. Wombwell has had two strong results last season in the J16 eight, winning at Nat schools and managing to qualify for the Temple Challenge Cup at Henley. His partner is not shy of success either; Focosi received a bronze medal at the Italian equivalent of National Schools in the eight. This experience will definitely put this pair in the prime position leading up to the event. For this reason, I think that this pair will take the win for their category.
Shiplake have entered two pairs into the club section, however it is rumoured that Waller did not make selection, meaning that the second crew is unknown. This is likely to throw up some added pressure for the other competitors for this category.
Norwich School BC
Norwich School has had strong results at Nat schools, with their B pair coming 6th in the A final in the Champ pairs, and their A pair winning the B final. If the entrances for this event consist of the same rowers, then Norwich School will be heading towards a strong placing, or even contesting for the win in this event. However, it is impossible to predict how well they will do due to not being able to see their names.
Walton RC
The Walton pair will be looking to get revenge for Nat Schools after losing a place by less than a second to the Maidstone Invicta pair. This should make for some fierce contention for the win, thus making some great viewing. Walton don’t have any other major victories or achievements and therefore they are the underdogs in this head race, but perhaps their will to get one back on Maidstone Invicta will take them into the top spot.
Others
Staines BC and Weybridge RC haven’t had anything that puts them into the limelight, although, it will be interesting to see how they fare on the tideway, and hopefully they will pull through and ruffle some feathers along the way.
Predictions
The Shiplake pair are undoubtedly the favourites for this event, and they should reap the rewards of their pedigree and previous experience. That said, it should be a close race with the ambiguity lying with Norwich and the strength behind the secrecy. Walton and Maidstone will also be fighting hard, and it will be interesting to see how they do against their counterparts.
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