Head racing season is well under way, but with Fours Head and Wallingford Head happening in the south, it’s now time to look north. In Band 1 of the Women’s Eights are University of London and Edinburgh University, each fielding one crew, Durham University fielding three crews and Newcastle University with two crews.
Will UL throw the cat amongst the northern pigeons?
Edinburgh University BC
Less than a week ago, on 27th November, Edinburgh, Durham and Newcastle fought it out in some fixtures on the Tyne, giving us some insight into what we might expect from them on Saturday. Over a four kilometre time trial capped at rate 26, Edinburgh proved to be dominant. The three clubs placed in that order in both first and second eights.
Edinburgh have a history of success and will need to show this strength again to come out on top.
With this to go by, it looks as though the Edinburgh women are poised to take the win in this event, however, their competitors will have something to say about that.
Durham University BC
With less than four seconds between Edinburgh and Durham’s first eights in the fixture, the gap is pretty small especially considering all the variables that come into play in head racing. The challenge is definitely on and the resurgent Durham will want to build on last weekend’s fixture.
With new coaches settling in, Durham are improving all the time, a week isn’t much but could be enough to turn the tables.
Newcastle University BC
It appears that NUBC have their work cut out for them on Saturday with their first eight finishing 22 seconds slower than Durham’s and their second eight some 41 seconds slower. Will Newcastle have been able to turn it around in a week against their Boat Race of the North rivals?
A couple of years ago Newcastle were all over their rivals who were themselves going through a difficult period, languishing at the back of the top programmes. Now this has flipped as Durham surge in form and Newcastle are dropping back.
University of London BC
And of course, we can’t forget UL, a club that contains impressive athletes such as Georgie Robinson Ranger who won silver at the U23 World Championships in the Women’s Four. Will they come out on top or will the northern clubs defend their home water? Again, a club rising with a new coaching set-up, they’ll be looking to claim the silverware to take back south.
Prediction
Owing to a balance of experience on this stretch and recent form, I’m backing Edinburgh to take the win in this event. As mentioned, the unknown is UL, who haven’t raced the northern clubs so far this year, and are definitely strong enough to challenge the Scots.
Good luck to all!
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