The Fours Head of the River, taking place this on Sunday, will take place on an over four mile stretch of the tideway between Mortlake and Putney Bridge. The Junior Women’s Quads category has an astounding 40 entries, where school crews may want to prove themselves at this early stage in the winter season.
Wycliffe College
Wycliffe are well known for their dominance in recent sculling events. They have entered two crews into this category, perhaps demonstrating the depth of their squad. Wycliffe placed first in the Championship Quads at National Schools’ Regatta, and their A and B boats reached the final and quarter-final respectively at Henley Royal Regatta in the Diamond Jubilee Challenge cup. Though this ratifies the high standards of their rowing, it will be interesting to see whether this high standard continues in the longer course. Etherington, Holbrow-Brooksbank and Martin all competed at the World Rowing U19 Championships this year, further suggesting the strength of the crew. I expect them to do well in this event.
Tideway Scullers School
Tideway are notorious for their high-quality sculling and recent success in the quad. They were victorious in the Diamond Jubilee Challenge cup at Henley Royal Regatta in the summer, an excellent achievement considering they placed seventh at the National Schools’ Regatta. Despite the crew changing since then, I still think they will be gearing towards one of the top places at Fours Head.
Marlow Rowing Club
Marlow Rowing Club also excelled in sculling events last season placing second at the National Schools’ Regatta in Championship Quads. They narrowly missed out on a place in the quarter-finals at Henley Royal in the Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup to Wycliffe B. Undoubtedly this squad will be hungry for success this season, perhaps the different format of head racing and the longer distance in comparison to most regattas will be in their favour.
Henley Rowing club
Henley Rowing Club have obtained several commendable achievements over the past few years alongside their rowers having an admirable skill level in both sweeping and sculling. Last season they reached the semi-finals at Henley Royal in the Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup and placed third at the National Schools’ Regatta. Last head season they placed third at the Junior Sculling Head, but faced stiff competition with the top three places being fairly close. They will be aiming high in this event and I anticipate them placing in the top five.
Shiplake College
Shiplake are known for their prestigious sculling capabilities. They reached the semi-final in the Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta and came in 5th place at the National Schools’ Regatta in the Championship Quads. This suggests that Shiplake may have potential to be successful this season, though they will need to prove themselves against fierce competitors like Wycliffe.
Predictions
I predict that Wycliffe will place first, Marlow second and Tideway Scullers third.
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