In the rowing world, The Schools’ head of the River officially brings winter to an end in the lively and raucous way we have come to expect from the Tideway. SHORR is the first of three races that must be won in order for a crew to claim the illustrious ‘triple;’ Schools’ head, NSR and a win at Henley Royal Regatta. 16 crews are entered into Championship Eights and this year is expected to be quite the humdinger all the way down the 6.8km between Chiswick and Putney Bridge.
St Paul’s School
Last season, St Paul’s created a legacy that will last for years and for generations to come. It was a season that very few crews will come close to and one that every school will now aspire to. However, in order for a dynasty to be created, the next year’s crew must raise the bar and that is something we are yet to see this season from the Hammersmith school. Despite a second place finish in Youth Eights early on in the season at the Head of the Charles, St Paul’s have yet to fully separate them from the rest of the British pack. Most recently, they were shown up on their own water by both Shiplake and Eton at Hammersmith Head. That being said, given the calibre of this crew, it is likely that we are still to see the best of St Paul’s and we may get to experience in the not too distant future…
Shiplake College
Despite some impressive results at this event over the past three years, Shiplake College have never been able to turn these results into a dominant season. Two second places and an overall win in 2017 prove that Shiplake should never be doubted thought less of at this stage in the season. Just over a week ago Shiplake put just over eight seconds into St Paul’s and thus establishing themselves as favourites for this year’s Headship. This crew is capable of winning, there is no doubt about that. What will be questioned though is whether they can set the foundations for something special and sustain momentum over the next few months.
Eton College
Eton found themselves in the somewhat unlucky position of being drawn against St Paul’s in
last year’s Princess Elizabeth final. But to them, that was last season, an entirely different
situation. This year, they find themselves with returners from that crew alongside some of the
boat that beat Newcastle University in the first round of the Temple Challenge Cup.
Somewhere amongst this exciting melting pot is the fastest junior pair in the form of Henry
Pearson and James Watson Gandy. After Shiplake got the better of them by just a few seconds
last weekend Eton is in a very strong position to launch their triple campaign.
Westminster School
Looking back over the years, you do not have look far to find some of the recent great eights that Westminster have produced. Whether it be the crews of 2015 or 2016 who triumphed both on the Tideway and at National Schools’, the boys in pink have the ability to create some fantastic eights. This season is showing promise of matching this success. With 1st, 3rd and 4th in Champ Junior Coxless Fours back in November at the Fours Head, there is the possibility of a resurgence from Westminster. Will they win? Unlikely, but they will come close.
Shrewsbury School
Led by former Globe rower, Dom Sullivan, Shrewsbury has re-established themselves as one of the top schoolboy crews in the country. Reaching the semi-finals of the P.E. proved that former Eton coach, Sam Grant, has put together a fine programme that should provide some hugely competitive crews this season. Shrewsbury’s top Four came 8th at HOCR and they were once again just of the pace of the top crews at fours head. That being said, more often than not, we see the best of Shrewsbury at the climax of the season, so what we see this week will most likely not be the fastest this crew can go.
Radley College
Over recent years, it Radley who has shown a lot most promise, often being the bridesmaid at the big events later on in the season. Radley’s Eight at HOCR showed some real promise placing 7th, but they were 26s off St Paul’s. Radley is known for peaking for Henley, so whatever their result take it with a pinch of salt if they don’t appear in the top few crews.
Hampton School & Abingdon School
Each of these great schools has, at some point, dominated junior rowing in this country. Sadly for them at the moment, now is not that time. That being said, Abingdon’s top pair was second in Boston. Gone are the days of these two crews winning triples year after year and we instead find them fighting for minor placing in Championship finals.
KCS Wimbledon & King’s Chester
Over the years both of these crews have always never fulfilled their full potential. Many have often criticised their decision to enter Championship rather than race in the 1st Eights category. However, the top two pairs from KCS placed 14th and 20th at the most recent GB assessment which should add wind to their sails coming into the winter finale. Our of these King’s crews, it should be expected that the Putney based boys will be the quicker of the two crews and should be aiming to finish around the middle of Championship 8s.
Bedford School
Bedford School has finally made the jump up to Championship Eights. After tearing up the 1st Eight rule book by embarrassing the rest of the category at both SHORR and NSR, Bedford will look to prove that last year’s success was not just a flash in the pan.
Molesey Boat Club
It is only last season that we saw the juniors of Molesey produce one of the finest coxed fours in the country, ultimately reaching the final of the Britannia Challenge Cup. Molesey have also won the Child Beale in recent years so success at this level is not uncommon for them. However, when faced with the step up to Championship at SHORR this club crew have struggled to match the speed of the top schools, something we will likely see this week.
Latymer Upper
Latymer have returned to prioritising sweep over sculling after putting together a very good quad two seasons ago. Last year, they reached the Friday of the P.E. and they will be looking to build on this, starting with a strong performance on home water and hopefully building on last year’s 8th place.
Istituto Statale “E. STEIN” Gavirate, Italy & CUS Milano & Enniskillen Royal
It is always a welcome sight seeing overseas crews when looking down the list of entries. Hailing from both Italy and Ireland, these crews would only have come if they have some speed up their sleeves, as is often the case with Enniskillen. However, as has been seen in recent years, on British water, international crews very rarely get the better of the British…unless of course, you are Scotch College. It is difficult to predict the speed of the Italians but they will not be quick enough to win overall.
My prediction… St Paul’s, Eton, Shiplake. The order is still up for debate… 6 man
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