Tuesday Reviews
Barbarians R.C., AUS vs Sabrina Club
Race one on day one – this scorcher of an opener matched the near-excruciating temperature. While Barbarians had the unfortunate fate of being the first ‘Tuesdayed’ crew of 2025, they put up a good fight and managed to maintain overlap with the Shrewsbury School alumnus of Sabrina Club throughout. Rating in the high 30s all the way down, just half a length separating the crews by Fawley, Barbarians looked like they may hunt down their prey and row through, but it was no match for Sabrina’s cohesion and composure. Extending out to three quarters of a length by the time they reached the Enclosures, Sabrina gave themselves a performance to be pleased with leading into tomorrow.
City of Cambridge R.C. vs Tideway Scullers’ School
Another corker in the Thames Challenge Cup came shortly before luncheon. A race of two halves, Cambridge stretched their early lead to a third of a length by Remenham Farm. Yet, the red and yellows of Scullers came surging back into the contest, and the chase was on. Ultimately, this rowthrough from Scullers earned them a place in tomorrow’s heat, where they face local Tideway rivals, Thames.
D.R.C. Hannover, GER vs City of Bristol R.C. ‘A’
Our first race back after luncheon started the afternoon with a bang. Down off the start, the Bristolians bounced back by the Barrier, venturing out to a lead of merely a canvas. A few countermoves from Hannover lowered the gap through the midsection of the course, however, in a bid to ensure their trip was not in vain, all the way down to a third of a length. But, it was not enough, and the boys in dark green held them off to the end, taking the win by three quarters of a length.
Wednesday Previews
Sydney R.C., AUS vs K.A.R.Z.V. De Hoop, NED
It feels too early to be previewing this race for Wednesday, but such is the way of the draw. 2023 semi-finalists Sydney meet 2024 finalists De Hoop, both likely replete with vengeance on their mind to forge a path to a Sunday appearance for 2025. As our event preview also highlighted last week, just one second has separated these crews previously in the season, so this is primed to be a battle all the way to the end. As the more recent finalists, I feel that De Hoop might just edge it, but I could be proven wrong if Sydney are able to capitalise on their conserved energy from today.
London RC ‘A’ vs Münchener R.C., GER
Having equalled the record times to the Barrier and the Fawley today, London are, on paper, our frontrunners, so Münchener will have a very tall order on their hands. Take nothing away from Münchener, though, who are the unbeaten club eight on the domestic German circuit. Much like the Sydney-De Hoop showdown, this feels like it should have been reserved for later in the week, but I can’t help but back London after their record performances today.
Leander Club vs Marlow R.C.
After two victories in today’s heats, both crews approach tomorrow with relatively fresh legs. Nonetheless, this match-up goes way back in the history books, and I’m sure both crews will have been disappointed not to meet later in the week than this. With Leander looking like the stronger outfit on paper, composed of ‘gappies’ under Matthew Brown’s stewardship, they will be aching to overturn Marlow. While it may be a closer race, my money’s on the Pink Palace here.
