As the Schools’ Head is one of the biggest events of the year, along with being one of the toughest, for many clubs, it isn’t surprising that the Championship Girls Quads is a large category that will lead to some very competitive results with everyone fighting to do well. The 23 boats entered are comprised of a mixture of local clubs and those who have travelled further afield and it will be interesting how the experience or lack of experience of dealing with the river are shown within the results. With the course among one of the best known in the British rowing world, this race provides a lot of excitement for the rowers, especially those of clubs for whom racing on the Tideway isn’t a common occurrence. With many of the events cancelled recently due to unfavourable conditions, it will be interesting to see how the crews fare on Monday and whether they have managed to keep on top of their training despite the lack of water time.
Latymer Upper School – This crew has managed to gain 2nd place at Quintin Head, beaten by Lady Eleanor Holles to first place, however, none of their competitors are racing in this category next week. It is also likely to be this crew who placed 2nd at Hampton Head in the W4x- category, this time only beaten by Tideway Scullers School. At Henley Long Distance Sculls back in November, they placed 3rd as a quad and rowed several doubles into top spots too. I think these results combined with their understanding of the course guarantees them a place in the top 3.
Sir William Perkins School – There are 2 boats entered but, throughout the season, it appears that only 1 quad has been entered in most events and so there is very little information on the quads and how they compare. It seems that one quad has been getting consistent victories throughout the season including a win at Reading Small Boats Head. At Weybridge earlier this year, they won their category but their competitors are not within this race which makes it hard to class how their time compares to others within this category. The result that helps us see their potential greatest is their 4th place at Hampton Head which indicates that they are very capable of placing in the top three with one boat and a possible high finish with the other boat.
Bedford Modern School – In Hampton Head, they finished lower down the results than many of the other boats in this category but redeemed themselves slightly with a 4th place finish at Head of the Trent.
The King’s School, Worcester – With very few results to compare to other schools/clubs, it is difficult to tell how they will do on Monday. This crew appear to have done well in their events although limited, having received Fastest Women’s crew at Monmouth back in September and a more recent win at Wycliffe Big Boats head. The only result to compare to other boats within this category is at Henley Long Distance Sculls where they finished slightly lower down the table than the other crews in this category, however they are likely to have put in a lot of training since then.
Hinksey Sculling School – With no obvious results from a WJ18 crew this season, it appears that this crew is comprised of more junior rowers. If this is the case, I believe that they will hold their ground in this race very successfully. Their most recent race, at Avon County Spring Head, resulted in the fastest Women’s crew of the day and I feel they could provide a very solid result once again.
Tideway Scullers School – This crews most important, and only visible, result from this year was 1st at Hampton Head recently promising a very strong result from them. Despite the lack of other results, I feel confident that this crew will place highly, almost certainly in the top 3.
Putney High School – While they seem to have far more experience in sweep, they place a formidable result at Hampton Head and so while I feel they might not place in the top 3 places, I don’t think they will be far out.
Also taking part but with fewer results are: Shiplake College, Canford School, York City, St Edwards School, Sudbury Rowing Club, Durham School (x2), Nottingham Rowing Club, Marlow, King’s School Ely, King’s School Canterbury, Hereford Cathedral School, Gloucester Hartpury, Cranbrook School and Cheltenham College.
Overall, in this hotly contested race, I think the top three will be made up by Latymer, Sir William Perkins and Tideway Scullers School with a very possible entry from Hinksey Sculling School.
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