Rutherford Head is one of the major rowing races held in the North. It attracts top-quality crews year after year to a 4500m course on the outskirts of Newcastle. This year, the Band 2 Women’s Eights contains just five crews, but with the calibre of those racing, it should be an exciting and close category.
Glasgow University Boat Club
With back-to-back third places in this category at the last two editions of Rutherford Head, and with the top two crews from last year not racing, Glasgow have a real chance of going at least one better, if not taking the win. Some of their highlights from last season include a 28th place at Women’s Eights Head of the River and a win in the C-Final of the Intermediate Eights at BUCS Regatta. They also placed fourth in that category at BUCS Head, which was held on the same course as Rutherford Head.
Newcastle University Boat Club
Newcastle have entered three boats into this category alongside two eights into Band 1, highlighting the sheer amount of depth in their squad. At BUCS Regatta last season, their third and fourth eights placed third and fourth in the C-Final, just behind Glasgow. They will also have the advantage of training on the course, which could save them valuable seconds on race day.
St Andrew Boat Club
2024 Scottish Rowing Club of the Year St Andrew Boat Club won the Band 3 eight at last year’s Rutherford Head and have since been pushed up a band. Their women’s pair was also named Crew of the Year at the Scottish Rowing Awards. Highlights from last season include finishing 48th at WEHoRR and a win in the PR3 single at Henley Women’s Regatta.
Prediction
Glasgow and Newcastle would appear to be quite evenly matched if previous results are anything to go by. Glasgow may have a slight edge on pure speed, but Newcastle do have the home advantage. I also would not count St Andrew out – this is a crew that is definitely capable of pulling off an upset. Overall, I think Glasgow will come out on top but I expect it to be very close.
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