After a long lull and the cancellation of several big junior head racing events in the Fours Head and Wallingford Head, junior racing is back in full swing with Rutherford Head of the River. Although it may be a rather sparse category this year, the competition will no doubt be fierce and lead to a good day of racing. The course starts at the Old Railway Bridge and ends at Newcastle University Boat Club. This year’s competition has attracted various top-quality clubs looking to walk away with a medal hanging around their necks.
Aberdeen Schools Rowing Association/George Heriots School:
This Scottish composite crew are no strangers to the big stage. One half is made up of Aberdeen Schools Rowing Association who have recently made a name for themselves. Competing at Rutherford both as half of the composite and with a full eight, last year they produced athletes who would go on to compete for GB at a junior and senior level. They also had three athletes competing at the Home International Regatta in the 8+ and the 4+. The other half of the composite boat is George Heriots School who, much like Aberdeen Schools Rowing Association, have produced some formidable rowing talent with two athletes competing at Home Internationals last year. However, with neither crew entering the event last year and having not raced so far in this combination, it will be interesting to see what this Scottish composite can produce. I have no doubt however that they will put a fast time down.
Durham School Boat Club:
A crew that will look to rival the composite is that of Durham School Boat Club. Another established northern program they have also had recent success and a positive start to the season. At Tees Long Distance Sculls they took away one silver in the J18 1x category and a gold in the J17 2x. It’s not just small boats where they have had success, securing gold in the J18 4x category at Tees Small Boats Head. With these successes under the belt, the crew will be knocking on the door of the top spot this year.
Queen Elizabeth High School:
We know little about this final crew looking to compete on Saturday, Queen Elizabeth High School. We do know that this is their home turf on the Tyne and knowing this course will mean they will have a card to play over the Scottish crews. They have also found great success at British Junior Championships medalling last year in the J16 2x, showing that the school has the talent and ability to push for that top spot.
Prediction:
With the vast talent attending the race this year, it will be hard to pinpoint a winner, however, I can see the composite crew of Aberdeen Schools Rowing Association/George Heriots School taking the top spot closely followed by Durham School Boat Club coming in second. However, both top crews could be fiercely hunted down by Queen Elizabeth High School and the Aberdeen Schools Rowing Association’s stand-alone boat. Regardless of the result, it will be an interesting day of racing.
King of Spring
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