Friday Reviews
Marlow Rowing Club ‘A’ v Mercantile Rowing Club, AUS
Dispatching the last international crew in the Diamond Jubilee field, Marlow showcased a methodical and confident racing approach to skillfully book their ticket to Saturday. Both Marlow and Mercantile were quick off the start, but out of the shelter of the Island, Marlow slowly started to walk, adding a half length lead at every course mark. They finished with a three and three-quarter length verdict over the Australians, a truly textbook performance with a hallmark style of Henley semi-finalists.
Maidenhead Rowing Club vs Henley Rowing Club
This race was electric and truly demonstrated how dynamic quad racing can be. Both crews launched onto the course, looking tidy and fast. From the Island, it was tit for tat, stroke for stroke. While Maidenhead emerged with a canvas lead at the Barrier, Henley soon shut them down and gained a two-foot advantage by Fawley. In the mood to tussle, Maidenhead pushed once more and established a small advantage in front of Remenham. Did Henley move too early? On their home waters, the Henley women clung on, not going down without a fight as Maidenhead slowly, but surely, started to walk, with both crews raising the rate in sync. While passing the Enclosures, Maidenhead stood their ground and crossed the line with a length lead. The victory was well earned, but no doubt has supplied the women with some fatigue going into the weekend.
Sir William Perkins vs Tideway Scullers School
Both crews got away cleanly, with the Tideway Scullers School stealing the early momentum. Their lead stretched to half a length at the Barrier and began to grow again as they sculled down the course. The quality of the Rhona MacCallum and Helen Taylor-coached unit showed in their maturity in repelling numerous attacks from Sir William Perkins’, whose increase in speed approaching this Regatta was well noted. In the end, it was the red, yellow and white of Scullers who crossed the line with a small amount of clear water to separate themselves and their opponents.
Claires Court School vs Wycliffe College
This was a tale of total domination from Wycliffe College, whose excellence at the cutting edge of schoolgirl sculling seems to know no bounds. At the 1/4 Mile, they already led by some two lengths, extending this at the Barrier to three lengths and offering no quarter to an increasingly desperate Claires Court unit. Sometimes, you just need to acknowledge brilliance and Wycliffe, who hold both this Trophy and the Bea Langridge Trophy at Henley Women’s Regatta, are a wonderful example of quality. They won this quarterfinal comfortably and will now turn to a Saturday showdown against bitter rivals from the Tideway Scullers School.
Saturday Previews
Tideway Scullers School vs Wycliffe College
To many, this matchup should be the final in the last of several epic showdowns between these two richly talented junior quads. The last time these two met at Henley Royal Regatta, it was the Tideway Scullers School who emerged victorious, securing a surprise win in the final of this Trophy. As 2025’s Saturday showpiece rolls around, TSS retain one athlete from that winning crew (Amalka Delavente) and with the Londoners missing from Henley Women’s Regatta a couple of weeks ago, they have been seeded on the same side of the draw. Perhaps coach Rhona MacCallum’s decision to train through Henley Women’s Regatta and avoid the heat will pay dividends with extra stamina going into the weekend.
Marlow Rowing Club vs Maidenhead Rowing Club
Close to home, these neighbouring crews are keeping the rivalry local and will battle it out for a place in Sunday’s final. These teams have been close all season, with Marlow placing third and Maidenhead fourth at the National Schools’ Regatta. More recently, they were separated by a second at the Barrier and Fawley markers during the heats in vastly different races. Marlow were able to cruise to the line whilst Maidenhead were pushed extremely hard by a fast-finishing Henley.
