Wallingford Regatta 2018 – Women’s Schools Coxed Fours

Wallingford Regatta 2018- WSCH 4+

With Wallingford being the first regatta of 2018 for these crews, it’s difficult to know who will come out on top. Yet, one thing I do know is that these girls will be definitely be looking to end their final few months together on a high.

Henley look to be the favourites after an impressive win at SHORR and a great start to their season- as they were able to hold onto their top senior athletes from last year. Henley have proven to have a very strong squad (racing in both sweep and sculling) with a win and 5^th place at GB April trials, in the pair, and a 1^st and 3^rd in the single.

The girls from Putney High School will be looking to close the 3 second gap from SHORR and it will be interesting to see how they attack their race. I have no doubt that these girls will have used their SHORR result to push on in training and will be ready to chase down Henley on Sunday. Putney High are fielding 2 boats which shows their strength in depth. Perhaps the B boat will be looking to make a mark and put in a superior performance ahead of NSR.

Surbition were slightly off the pace for a top spot at SHORR but they did manage to lead St Paul’s by 12 seconds. They will be looking to push on and challenge for the gold, this time around, though I doubt that they will catch Henley.

St Paul’s and Molesey were only 2 seconds apart at SHORR suggesting that there will be some very tight racing between the two. Though with few other results to go off, both clubs could definitely catch us by surprise on the first 2k race of the year.

Sir William Perkin’s are also fielding 2 boats which should provide good competition. These 2 fours are expected to comprise of the 8 that brought home 4^th place at WEHORR therefore, it will be interesting to see how they fair when moved to smaller boats.

Sir William Borlase Grammar School’s boat, I believe, will include Bella O’Hara who recently competed well at GB final trials. With the four being the top boat, I would expect to see some good sweep rowing, but with a lack of results in this category, I can’t see them bringing home the gold medal this weekend.

Lady Eleanor Holles failed to make much of an impact on this category at SHORR placing 9^th and 1 minute 15 seconds off the winning Henley girls. However, they did win pairs head and take home a fourth at fours head earlier in the season, suggesting they are not entirely to be forgotten about.

The crew entered from Marlow should race very well with Marlow having a high reputation of producing sweep girls for the GB France match and Junior Worlds. I would predict these girls will be up among Henley and could cause an upset.

Emanuel school have recently struggled to produce highly competitive boats that would be needed to challenge for the win at Wallingford. Therefore, I would doubt their ability to contend with some of the other big schools.

Prediction:

1. Henley
2. Putney High School
3. Surbiton

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