Now that the festivities have passed, we return to the Tyne once more for the start of the 2024 racing calendar. Most of the crews in this event will have raced, only recently, on this stretch of water at the Rutherford Head. Whilst some will be looking to replicate their form, others will be looking to rectify any errors and find what was surely identified as room for improvement over the winter break. From the outside, an exciting weekend is ahead of us as the best club and student crews in the North East battle it out for the last time until the Head of the River Race on home waters.
Open 8+
This is an opportunity for Durham University BC to bounce back from what will have been a disappointing loss to their local rivals Newcastle University BC at their last outing. With Newcastle not entering a boat in this category, Durham have Tyne Amateur RC as their opposition. Though it won’t be easy, Durham were 24 seconds faster than Tyne at Rutherford Head and will rightfully look to build on that result here. With BUCS Head around the corner, one would expect the racing experience to be beneficial in the longer term if they’re to overcome the Blue Star for the remainder of the season.
Women’s 8+
Newcastle University BC edged Durham University BC by four seconds at Rutherford Head and will be hoping to replicate that result this weekend. The women of these clubs will be hoping that the competition will bring the best out of them as they’ll be looking to take their regional might and secure national titles over the coming months. If anyone can challenge Brookes nationally, it will be one of either Newcastle or Durham. It’s impossible to predict who’ll come out on top in this fixture though I can say with confidence that the two titans of student rowing will deliver a good spectacle for those watching on.
Open 4+
Durham University BC once more find themselves battling Tyne Amateur RC for the spoils in this race. Looking to build upon the strong result that they had at Rutherford, it should be expected that Durham are the favourites. Tyne didn’t race that day and, though they’re incredibly capable of upsetting Durham, the difference in speed between the clubs in other boat classes indicates that a similar result should be expected here.
Women’s 4+
Though Durham University BC didn’t enter a boat for this category at Rutherford, there is very little competition that one would expect to beat them. Hilde and Bede BC and Queen Elizabeth High School BC are the outsiders in this event. If either of them could achieve a result here it would be a memorable victory for their crews.
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