With Schools’ Head looming large on the horizon, for many of these J16 crews, this will be the last chance to fine tune their race plans and base pace for the pinnacle race of the head season. This particular event has 7 entries, who will all be glad of having a cox on board to steer what is a tricky course to navigate, with a tricky bend through the marina and a narrow stretch where it is easy to come out of the fastest stream as the river widens again.
Radley College BC
Radley have a two boat entry to this event, both of which will be looking to make an impression. Radley are a club who have suffered as a result of event cancellations this year, loosing out on Wycliffe Big Boat Head and Hampton Head meaning that for them this race will be important on the road to SHORR. They did race at the recent Hammersmith Head, where they took 9th and 17th with their two crews. Radley tend to be known for their ability to pick up speed as the season goes on, and this, combined with a possible lack of racing could mean that these crews may not be fighting for the win, but will certainly be aiming for the best finish possible.
Shiplake College BC
Rapidly becoming one of the most feared names on the junior rowing scene, Shiplake again seem to have the basis of a very dangerous J16 8+. The crew comes under the name of Humphris, who has been a part of the GB trials system so far this year, taking 5th in J18 1x at the most recent February assessment. This crew have already had a couple of races as an 8, with a win at Henley 4s and 8s, which was then added to with a 3rd place finish at the Hammersmith Head. This is a crew that will definitely have their sights set firmly on a win this weekend, and you could say this is a distinct possibility.
St Edwards School BC
Again, another well known name on the junior rowing scene, Teddies are another club that have been victims of race cancellations, again loosing out on Hampton and Wycliffe, making this event a valuable opportunity for them to fine tune their plans before Schools’ Head. Again, they raced at Hammersmith recently, taking a solid 5th place finish, so they will be wanting to step on here to challenge the Shiplake crew and identify themselves as contenders for silverware this season.
Others
The 3 remaining boats that make up this field come from Bedford School BC, Bedford Modern BC, and Monmouth School BC. All these crews will no doubt be solid entries, though I don’t think any will challenge the more established and proven crews discussed above.
Predictions
This should be tight, with some very competitive racing at the sharp end of this field. When trying to consider a top 3, it will be tight, and i could be proven wrong but i would imagine the order to be:
- Shiplake College BC
- St Edwards School BC
- Radley College BC ‘A’
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