Schools’ Head of the River marks the end of a somewhat disappointing head racing season, after cancellations and disruptions in one of our wettest winters yet. Yet, the Tideway is once again packed with action, to the joy of athletes and spectators alike; coming off the back of Women’s Head and looking forward to the Boat Race in just under three weeks’ time. However, for now we focus on one of the most hotly contested categories within the biggest junior head race of the year. With 17 entries the Women’s Championship Eights features many well-known names looking to battle it out one last time on the Tideway before moving over to Dorney for regatta season.
Henley Rowing Club
Henley Rowing Club are one of the biggest names in junior women’s rowing and have a history steeped in great results. They had a strong start to the year winning Quintin Head back in January, a result that will have boosted their confidence after the disruptions to other races. At Women’s Eights Head of the River (WEHORR), they placed fifth, 30 seconds behind the winners. I’m sure this will have been an unusually disappointing result but it will only spur them on coming into Schools’ Head, determined to be back on the top step of the podium.
Headington School Oxford Boat Club
Another club with a strong history are Headington School Oxford Boat Club. The first we saw of Headington this year was at Hammersmith Head where they won both the Junior 8+ and 4x-, a dominant display. They recently took the win at Women’s Head, placing 17th overall, in the mix with senior clubs like London Rowing Club and Edinburgh University, proving they are definitly a top contender in the junior circuit. At WEHORR Headington’s second VIII placed sixth out of the junior crews and 37th overall, beating many other first VIIIs and showing us their squad depth. Their results recently distinguish them as a favourite for the win.
Hinksey Sculling School
Hinksey Sculling School have only recently broken out onto the scene in this event, but they have done so impressively, always coming away with a good set of results. This year Hinskey look to have a very strong cohort and are definitely up for challenging the likes of Headington and Henley. They placed second at Women’s Head, only a few seconds behind Headington, and 19th overall, a result I’m sure they were thrilled with. With the club going from strength to strength over the past few years, their hard work is paying off. I am in no doubt that Hinskey are capable of winning Schools’ Head this year.
Shiplake College Boat Club
Shiplake College Boat Club have always shown potential and results on the women’s side, predominantly in sculling, however we’ve also seen their potential in the bigger sweep boats in the past few years. This Shiplake crew has already shown their speed this season, having posted the fastest time at Quintin (however a ten-second penalty meant they finished third) and placing third in the School/Junior category at WEHORR. They are unquestionably a fast crew this year and I can almost certainly see them walking away with a medal.
Marlow Rowing Club
Another giant of the junior circuit, Marlow Rowing Club have taken up the challenge of the Championship Eight this year at Schools’ Head. While they have also entered a women’s quad, which is likely their top boat, they produced a stunning performance at Women’s Head to place fourth, and not too far off the podium times. With second place at Quintin also under their belt, this crew looks very strong and I believe they will be fighting for a top-three finish.
Other entries
Other notable entries include St Edward’s School Boat Club, Lady Eleanor Holles School, Surbiton High School Boat Club and Tideway Scullers School. All of these clubs are well-known and make frequent appearances throughout the season so I’m sure they all want to solidify their place as a top contender going into regatta season. The draw also features two international crews: Enniskillen Royal Boat Club, Ireland and Istituto Statale E. STEIN, Italy. Both clubs have made the trip to the Tideway for Schools’ Head before, however, it is always difficult to know where international crews will fit into our somewhat established pecking order, so it will be exciting to see what results they can produce.
Prediction
I believe that it’ll be Hinksey Sculling School and Headington School Oxford Boat Club battling it out for the pennant however with the unpredictability of the Tideway the result could always swing another way. Shiplake College Boat Club could potentially round out the top three, but they have fierce competition with the likes of Henley Rowing Club, Marlow Rowing Club and Lady Eleanor Holles School who will all be fighting to finish in the top five. Overall, this category is tightly contested and packed with some of the best names that junior rowing has to offer, so we’re definitely looking at a good day of racing.
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