I must start this article by warning that reliable results for J16 Quads have been hard to come by this year, with poor weather forcing cancellations of head races throughout the season. Despite this, the form book on junior sculling the results that were available have given as a good insight into who is looking likely to take the coveted win on the Tideway this Friday.
Tideway Scullers
Winners last time out at Hammersmith Head with an 11:26, Scullers lived up to their potential, beating second-placed Kingston Grammar School by a full 28 seconds, though admittedly 4 out of 7 entries did scratch. Nonetheless, this result was not an anomaly with this Tideway crew producing strong results all season. Thrown into the mix with the J18s at Fours Head, they achieved a commendable 10th place. This, combined with their considerable knowledge of the Tideway, will see them race the course as one of the favourites for the win.
St Paul’s School
Most of the focus for St Paul’s will be on their Eights at the various age levels. However, it is a testament to their depth that they have been able to enter a J16 Quad. Only one result could be found for this quad, back at Kingston Small Boats Head, in which they came a disappointing 10th place. However, the program in place at Paul’s is excellent at producing strong squads year after year so do not be surprised if they have picked up speed substantially from November to now.
Maidenhead
Maidenhead has a strong pedigree in sculling. Their top quad, undefeated all of the previous season, was denied a historic triple in the last race of finals day at Henley Royal Regatta by a resurgent Windsor Boys School. This current crop of J16s has shown speed so far this year, finishing a commendable 7/28 at Hampton Small Boats Head at the end of last year. If these boys want to lay down a marker for next year and live up to the reputation of Victor Kleshnev and co. A win at Schools’ Head would be a fine way to do it.
Wycliffe Junior Rowing Club
When one discusses the top sculling programs, Wycliffe doesn’t necessarily always come to mind. However, their newly formed junior club has experienced early success, with 3 silver medals at the Junior Inter-Regional Regatta last year. However, their J16s could provide another source of silverware. Second out of an absurd 61 entries in J15 4x+ at Nationals last year, they have already had a taste of fighting for the top spot and will want to prove their worth on the Tideway. If they were successful in their endeavours, it could herald the beginning of a new force on the Junior Sculling scene.
Kingston Grammar School
Second-placed finishers at Hammersmith Head, though as previously mentioned coming a significant time behind first-place Tideway Scullers. Kingston Grammar has a strong tradition of rowing and has access to some excellent facilities at Kingston RC as well as an idyllic stretch of water. They may lack the established reputation of some others in their category but their results this year indicate that their fierce competitors looking for a top spot at Schools’ Head
Prediction
From the weight of results this year and their intimate knowledge of the course, Tideway Scullers are my favourites to take the win in this category. Maidenhead’s program specialises in creating fast quads and I feel this will be enough to secure them second place. However, it would be amazing to see Wycliffe secure a top spot after their newfound successes last season and, as such I feel that they could snatch third from Kingston Grammar School.
TidewaySweeper
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