With the first of the major Tideway races on our doorstep, rumours have already started spinning as to whether anyone will retake the mantle from either Henley or St Pauls as the best British Juniors has to offer. This intermediate category helps to add greater depth and fiercer levels of racing as well as promoting sculling all the way through junior level.
St Pauls School
The Hammersmith-based school have entered four crews into this Intermediate category. These crews look like they are predominantly made up of people who were in the 2nd and 3rd 8s last season. Consequently, they will be looking to fill the shoes of last year’s outstanding VIII. Racing on home water, and with the experience of Wallingford last weekend, St Pauls can expect to put together yet another impressive Tideway performance.
Eton College
Fielding an impressive 3 crews, Eton is well known for sculling early on in the season. After a successful first season as coach of the VIII, Mark Fangen-Hall​ will be looking to go one step further than last year, but it doesn’t do any harm building momentum amongst the whole squad early on. Similar to St Paul’s, these crews look to be made up of 2nd, 3rd and J16 VIII rowers. ‘Jain’ was victorious in a 16 strong field at Wallingford LDS just last weekend. As such is safe to say that this particular Eton crew can expect to find themselves at the top end of this category.
Dulwich College
Having scratched last weekend at Wallingford, it is unclear as to what speed Dulwich carry into this weekend. Dulwich finds themselves under new leadership in the shape of Jason Foster, previous England Team Manager and long servant to rowing in Bedford. Pairs Head will be a warm return to rowing in the South after seven years at George Watson’s in Edinburgh. For a few years, Dulwich has been waiting for a spark to move them up the pecking order. A strong result this early on could be the thing that starts to put this idea into action.
Emanuel School
Another Tideway based school, Emanuel School have struggled in recent years to compete at the top level of junior rowing. However, having picked up a bronze medal in J16 coxed fours at this year’s NSR, we could be seeing a new chapter of rowing at Emanuel School. As with their SPS and Dulwich counterparts, the boys from Emanuel will be grateful for the home water advantage.
This year’s category entry will also see a crew from Walton and a crew from Sudbury Rowing Club. Walton was unfortunate to miss out on a medal in thJ16 coxed fours, having placed 4th at NSR. Roberts, who featured in that four, has switched to sculling for this weekend. While there is the possibility for Walton to feature towards the top of the pack, it is unlikely that Sudbury will do the same.
My predictions…Eton College to take the win
6 man
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