Reserved for UK-based club crews with over two years of experience, but whose members haven’t yet reached the later stages of significant domestic or international competitions like Henley Royal Regatta, the Challenge Pennant at Women’s Eights Head of the River (WEHoRR) is always a well-attended category.
This year is no exception, with clubs nationwide sending crews to the tumultuous Tideway. Below, I will highlight some crews competing for this year’s Challenge Pennant that I believe could be the most likely to take home the silverware on the day.
Agecroft RC ‘A’
Ever a club that shakes up the usual tradition of southern crews taking the top spots at Tideway events, Agecroft are clearly looking to do the same again this year. The crew hailing from this Salford-based club that is statistically most likely to take home the Challenge Pennant is their ‘A’ composition. Agecroft benefits from depth within its squad of over 30 women, and has a very well-established women’s sweep program that consistently performs well at local events. Will their performance be enough to row through the local crews to take the win here? I can’t wait to find out.
Lea RC ‘B’
Lea are no strangers to WEHoRR, and the crews previously only known for their striking orange kit have begun to make an equally striking name for themselves with their rowing. Originating from humble beginnings, we have seen crews from Lea climb up the ranks in national events year on year. Given that their ‘A’ crew will face the likes of Leander, Molesey and Tideway Scullers School in the Open Club category, I have no doubt that their ‘B’ crew will be hungry for the Challenge Pennant on Saturday.
Thames RC ‘D’
Thames are often cited for having the largest squad of all the Tideway crews, so it’s no surprise that their ‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C’ crews are otherwise occupied in the Senior Club category. With the home advantage and the absence of their championship boats working in their favour, this Thames ‘D’ crew will undoubtedly take to the Tideway with the aim to add to Thames’ historic dominance at WEHoRR.
Vesta RC ‘C’
Like above-mentioned Thames, this Vesta crew will undoubtedly seek to take advantage of racing on their favourite stretch of home waters. Despite being historically overshadowed by their local rival clubs Thames and London, the Vesta women’s sweep programme appears to be growing stronger each season. To an extent, Vesta come into this event as the Tideway underdogs. I’m sure this crew will be fired up for a pennant-winning performance, and they’re in with a very good shot of achieving it.
Prediction
The Challenge Pennant brings a great deal of unpredictability, as it is open to a much larger variety of crews than most of the other club pennants. Nevertheless, a prediction ought to be made. I have a feeling that the tussle for first place might be between Agecroft Rowing Club ‘A’ and Vesta Rowing Club ‘C’ on the day. That being said, it remains all to play for, as the likes of Lea, Thames, Twickenham, Molesey, City of Bristol and Walton might cause some disruption.
I look forward to the outcome of an ever competitive category.
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