For many of these girls, this will be their final School’s Head and so will be looking to impress for their final run-out of this kind, on the tideway. The coxed four is an event that not only requires brute power, but impeccable technique and timing too. In this boat category, there is nowhere to hide, with each and every rower being pivotal for success. Hopefully we will see tight racing on the Thames this Friday, as Head season comes to a crescendo.
Kingston RC
This crew finished second at Henley eights and fours head, to Henley by just 5 seconds, with other big names such as Headington School further down the pack. This result alone highlights Kingston’s ability to produce against impressive crews and so will be hoping for a repeat of this success on the tideway. Perhaps one of the greatest wins for these girls this season came at Fuller’s Head of the river Fours, where they comfortably won championship fours by 30 seconds.
Stratford-Upon-Avon BC
This four may be filled with J17s, however they managed a silver medal (as J16s) last summer in the coxed four at the Junior British Championships, showing that it is also filled with talent. At Four’s Head of the River they impressively placed fourth in challenge fours, in a field of ten- despite being over a minute behind Kingston RC.
Godolphin and Latymer School ( Bonnor-Moris and Scavazza-Murphy)
At Four’s head of the River, it was the Scavazza-Murphy crew who placed one position higher than the same school’s ‘J Kruger’ entry which suggests that a great race should be at hand within the same squad. These girls also came in succession at Hammersmith Head, placing 5th and 6th showing that they are in the mix, but yet to take a medal position.
Sir William Perkin’s School
This squad have consistently performed and appear to be sticking to racing in this category, in a bid for success. They were 5th at the four’s Head (in challenge fours), proving they are not to be over-looked, as well as placing second at Hammersmith Head, beating the likes of Lea RC and Tideway Scullers in the process.
George Heriot’s School
This is another crew which is likely to include a GB triallist, suggesting that this school should be able to produce a strong contingent. They also have a recent history of performing well in this event, with a third place in 2017 and a 4th place in 2016- and so a good result this year would not be a shock.
Glasgow Academy
Also making the journey from Scotland, is the Glasgow Academy who have had a lot of success in this age category across their rowing circuit. Results include winning the WJ18 1x at Inverness Winter Head, with their GB trialist named ‘Buchanan’ and also winning the WJ18 4x, at the same event. Yet, there are a lack of sweep results to be found which makes it difficult to know how they will perform this weekend.
Yarm School
This four could potentially be made up of the two Yarm girls who finished second in the pair at GB trials, putting them in a comfortable position. At the Yorkshire Head they had a relatively poor performance in the quad, they also raced in the women’s event where they were a number of minutes behind the victorious; Collingwood College crew.
Marlow RC
At Quintin Head, this club came out on top which highlights their proficiency in sweep rowing, particularly amongst tough opposition. Most notably this year, these girls won the Fuller’s Head of the river Fours, in the challenge event, and so it will be interesting to see how they step up to racing against the likes of Kingston RC.
Lady Eleanor Holles School
Also racing at Quintin Head, the only crew ahead of LEH, were Marlow and so I am sure that these girls will be looking to reverse this result, this time round. At other notable events, LEH have not entered much but we should not be surprised to see a strong time on the tideway.
St Paul’s Girls School
At Hammersmith Head this crew raced for time only yet would have positioned fourth; including being behind SWPS– who they face this weekend. At Four’s Head of the River, they were the slowest in their category, yet it will be great to see how much these girls have pushed on, since then.
There are a couple more entries from; The King’s School (Chester and Canterbury), Walton RC, Norwich High School, Haberdasher’s School, Canford School and Bedford Girls’ School. However these crews are yet to face their aforementioned competition, making it difficult to predict what they will achieve. Yet, if one thing is for certain it is that anyone could easily take the win on what looks to be a blustery day on the Thames.
Prediction:
- Kingston RC
- Sir William Perkin’s School
- Marlow/ Glasgow Academy
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