Pairs Head of the River 2019 – Women’s Junior 16 Doubles

The season may have only just started but the first Tideway race is almost upon us, this tricky and lengthy stretch of river is an excellent test for the rowers this early in the season. It sets a very good precedent for the rest of the head season and is also very good practice for the next Tideway races. 

Maidenhead

Last weekend at Wallingford LDS Maidenhead had a very good race, their WJ16 quad came first, and Carpenter who is part of one of these three doubles was in that boat. This result comes off the back of a strong previous season, most notably with a bronze in the WJ15 quads at National Schools’ and then also a 3rd at Junior Sculling Head. They therefore come into this race with a very good chance of continuing their winning streak. 

Wycliffe

This is another group of girls that had an excellent previous season, and they will also recognise a lot of the Maidenhead rowers as they beat them by just over 2 seconds at National Schools’ in the WJ15 quads. Both Fletcher and Edwards were a part of this successful quad and I’m sure they will be looking to go one better and win this race. 

Barn Elms 

The double that includes Clausen had a good weekend at Wallingford, coming second in the WJ16 double category. Some of these girls had a mixed season previously, they didn’t have a successful National Schools’ but a Barn Elms WJ15 quad came 9th at the National Scullers Head, so they are clearly strong over longer distance. They will be hoping this translates well into this race I’m sure, especially over a familiar stretch of water. 

Sir William Perkins’s

This is another club that had a good result at the National Scullery Head, coming 5th in the WJ15 quads. Some of these girls competed in an WJ15 quad that unfortunately missed out on qualifying by less than a second at National Schools’. I’m sure they will be hoping to replicate the result from the Scullery and improve on it this weekend. 

Prediction

 There are some very strong crews in this category and also some close rivalries. I think the race for top spot will end up being between one of the Maidenhead doubles and a Wycliffe double, but the Tideway can often lead to some surprises, so one of the other crews might be able to snatch the win.

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Rosie Oates

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