After the unfortunate postponement of UBBC Head, all eyes now turn to the north for this weekend, where Rutherford Head is taking place over a 4.5km stretch along the River Tyne. With its tight turns and narrow bends marking the tidal course, steering ability will be vital, and good knowledge of the course could be a game-changer in tight competition. We are set to enjoy some exciting racing in the Women’s Coxed Fours event, as among the eight entries we see some of the top names in university rowing, who will no doubt be battling it out this Saturday.
Durham University BC
DUBC seems to have had a strong start to this season, after taking on Newcastle, Tyne, and Edinburgh in a private eights fixture just last weekend and finishing up a narrow second behind Edinburgh over a 1km course. Earlier in October, Durham also raced at Tyne United Small Boats Head, where they won band one of the Women’s Coxless Fours event. After these recent successes, they should certainly offer up some exciting racing this weekend.
Newcastle University BC
Another club who raced at Tyne United Small Boats Head, Newcastle also came away with a win in the women’s pair and placed second in the coxed fours event. Further to these results, they will also be racing with the home stretch advantage at Rutherford, so there is little doubt that they will constitute some tough competition.
University of London BC
Making the long journey up from the south, ULBC will be racing on a tidal river different from the one they’re used to in London. After a notable performance at Fours Head a couple of weeks ago, where they came away with the pennant in the Women’s Academic Coxless Fours, they will be looking to make a strong impression on their northern rivals.
Edinburgh University BC
Edinburgh is another club that has had a formidable start to the year. Just two weeks ago, they won both the Women’s Coxless and Coxed Fours events at Inverness Fours and Small Boats Head, as well as putting in a winning performance at the aforementioned private fixture against Durham, Newcastle, and Tyne. If they carry on the momentum of these results, they are certainly a crew to watch out for this coming Saturday.
Prediction
It’s hard to say definitely, but I reckon we can expect to see Newcastle, Edinburgh, and Durham fighting it out for the top spot in this event, as all these clubs have already got some good results out of this season and are likely to know the course.
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