Reading Small Boats Head 2018 – Preview

Reading Small Boats Head boasts an abundance of crews that have already been topping the tables so far this season. The 3.6km course should provide some kind conditions for those that are racing, meaning that some fast times could be recorded. There are some rivalries that’ll be continuing from Wallingford Long Distance Sculls and Pairs Head, including the increasingly interesting contest developing between Star and Arrow and Henley. The J18.1x looks to be a continually exciting event with some familiar faces from the top five of Wallingford Long Distance Sculls. The Reading clubs are dominating the entries across the divisions, with the Reading Blue Coat School having the majority of entries in the junior categories.

WJ16.1X

The J16 singles event gives a glimpse of the talent that will be coming through the ranks in the next couple of years. Therefore, these girls will be trying to flaunt their ability to their coaches. Latymer and St Edwards schools have entered nine out of the 15 girls racing in this category, and both schools have had good results at the National Schools’ Regatta in their younger sections. The most notable comes from St Edwards with McPhail, Ward and Speir, who all won J15 girls coxed fours. However, it is unknown how they will fare in the single, especially over the longer distance.

J16.1X
I predict Grainge from Star and Arrow to win this event after a big performance at Wallingford, winning the equivalent category there. He showed his hand and will be looking to consolidate here. Crick from Henley will also be looking to up his ranking here after a 10th place finish in his category at Wallingford. The rest of the competitors for this section will have a tough time chasing Grainge but it will be great to see if they can cause an upset.

WJ17.1X
Marlow seems to have entered the most reputable girls, with Combardo and Lyons represented. They both raced in the Championship Eight at the National Schools’ Regatta, coming 3rd in the A final. This boat was stacked with girls that went on to race for Great Britain throughout the summer, and a few that also reached the final of the Diamond Jubilee at this year’s Henley Royal Regatta. Therefore, I predict the clubs’ pedigree and mass of experience will take one of them through to win this event. However, Latymer have fielded a strong but youthful force who could steal places from beneath the Marlow girls’ feet. Further to this, there are some other strong scullers that are entering from the likes of Reading RC and Kingston Grammar School who definitely have the potential to ruffle some feathers.

J17.1X
I predict Willis to take the win for this event, after showing his class at both Pairs head and Wallingford LDS. The rest of the field don’t appear to match his quality.

J17.4x
St Pauls have two entries into this section, swaying from their unassailable sweep background. Perhaps this is a continuation and development of their 2018 Fawley quad, or could just represent some early season focus on sculling. They will be up against Dulwich and St William Borlase Grammar School, a yesteryear champion in schoolboy sculling. The Dulwich boat is under the name ‘Mellis’, who came fourth in the J16.2x category at Wallingford Long Distance Sculls in 2017 so it will be interesting to see how he uses his experience to race against the Paulines.

T1.Op.1X
The T1.Op.1X section is stacked with scullers who have raced well in the junior sections at Wallingford and Pairs head. Balthassar Issa seems to be the favourite for this category with his club mate, Long, snapping at his heels. The Star and Arrow sculler, Briggs, will be looking to resurrect himself after a difficult day at Wallingford Long Distance Sculls. This could be the chance to impress his coaches as he looks towards Fours Head. These scullers will be up against the pedigree of Reading University as well as Reading BC, so it will be interesting to see whether they can compete against older and stronger athletes.

J18.2X
Dulwich College are the most prolific in this category with four entries, but Star and Arrow are likely to be the dominant club as the revered duo of Eilers and Murphy look likely to take the win. Eilers smashed Wallingford LDS by taking the overall J18.1X category win, 28 seconds ahead of the next fastest competitor and his partner for Reading SBH in the 2X. Devereux and Willis performed strongly a few weeks ago, as well as at Pairs Head, and for this reason I predict that they will grab second place for this category. Interestingly, the Star and Arrow double of Milne and Paul Hoeselbarth have entered into the T1.Op.INT.2X rather than the J18.2X category. They should do well; with both having placed in the top 15 at Wallingford Long Distance Sculls.

WJ18.2X
The women’s J18 doubles has Canford School BC outnumbered by both the Reading Blue Coat School and Queen Anne’s Boat Club. Green and Buckerage from the latter both have sculling experience, making the C final at the National Schools’ Regatta in 2018. They will be trying to set the tone for the rest of the year here. Sullivan and Gallego have also raced at the National Schools’ Regatta and also made the C final in their respective events. Marcun and Rofe from the Reading Blue Coat School raced in the coxed four event at the same event so the diversity between boats may be challenged. The other two crews are an unknown for me and therefore I cannot predict how well they will race. This event is an open one, and this should set the girls up for some great racing.

J18.2-

Taylor and Yolland from Henley RC are the top candidates for the win here. The Shiplake boys are yet to show their ability this year however their superb training programme should allow them to take some top places. However, the Blue Coats could prevail to take the win.

J18.1X
Star and Arrow have blitzed this entry and will definitely top the chart. Tim Eilers is in fine form, as shown by his performance at Wallingford, to match a sweep of strong showings last year. Joe Murphy is capable of winning too, but Eilers showed Murphy his ability at Wallingford, beating him by 28 seconds. It would not surprise me if Eilers was the overall fastest single of the day.

Predictions
Most of the events are relatively open. Star and Arrow should top their categories due to their currently unchallenged squad. Balthassar Issa should place very highly, as evidenced by his Wallingford result. I think that there will be a Queen Anne’s double with a win in the bag for the W.J18.2X, and the same for Taylor and Yolland in the J18.2-. It should be a wonderful day of racing.

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