With less than three weeks until National Schools’ Regatta, the Junior Sculling Regatta often proves to be the only time these crews will have a chance to compete against each other before they contest the national titles. After a long season of cold and dreary head racing, these quads will eagerly await the opportunity to back it down onto a stakeboat and line up next to each other for a chance to assert themselves as the crew to beat heading into the regatta season.
The Windsor Boys’ School
It is impossible in the preview for any sculling race not to mention The Windsor Boys’ School. They have established themselves as the strongest junior sculling club in the country, from winning The Fawley Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta year after year, to having won five medals in this category at the Junior Sculling Regatta since 2021, three of which were gold. They generally tend to be a cut above the rest. This young crew is yet to prove themselves to be of the same standard as their older peers, following a fourth-place finish at the Junior Sculling Head in March, and missing out on qualification for the Junior Inter-Regional Regatta by just under four seconds to Henley Rowing Club. Subsequently, this will likely be their first regatta since their races last year, and I’m sure they’re keen to follow in the footsteps of their elders and bring home some silverware.
Henley Rowing Club
Another club with a huge pedigree in sculling, Henley Rowing Club’s J15s had a strong showing last week after finishing in second place at the Junior Inter-Regional Regatta, beaten only by Hereford Cathedral School. At the Junior Sculling Head, their biggest head race of the season, they completed the course in a time that would have put them in second place. However, they were disqualified. This has doubtless only stoked their competitive spirit, and they’ll be eager to prove themselves.
Yarm School Boat Club
A name that is not so instantly recognisable, this cohort of athletes at Yarm School made a statement at the Junior Sculling Head by over 20 seconds on a 3600 metre course, a significant lead on their chasers from Trentham Boat Club. At the Junior Inter-Regional Regatta last weekend, they finished in fourth place, six seconds behind the victors. Although not as strong a result as their commanding victory at the Junior Sculling Head, this is still an encouraging result for the crew, suggesting that they may have a serious chance of making it onto the podium at this event.
Hereford Cathedral School Boat Club
The winners of the Junior Inter-Regional Regatta, representing the West Midlands, Hereford Cathedral School look like a promising pick to win this event too. The school is relatively new to the rowing scene, having struggled to make it onto the map until 2021, when their Junior 16 quad won their event by over five seconds at the National Schools’ Regatta. These athletes could well be Hereford’s next set of national champions; if they can repeat their excellent performances, this crew will be one to watch moving forward.
Trentham Boat Club
After a second-place finish at the Oarsport Junior Sculling Head back in March, Trentham’s B-final race at the Junior Inter-Regional Regatta will likely be slightly disheartening for this crew. Indeed, they missed out on the A-final by just over a second to the crew representing the northern region. Although I don’t think they will likely make it into the top three at this event, they may prove me wrong if they can repeat their performance from the Oarsport Junior Sculling Head.
Mossbourne Rowing Academy
Setting off 22nd out of 27 in the time trial, Mossbourne will likely be able to move up the ranking into the top ten, fighting for a spot in the A-final. Placing eighth at both the Junior Sculling Regatta and the Junior Inter-Regional Regatta, they’re yet to have a truly exceptional result, but they may change that over the weekend.
Prediction
The Junior Inter-Regional Regatta, held just last weekend, will likely be the best indicator of success for these crews. I think either Hereford Cathedral School or Henley Rowing Club will fight for the win following their strong performances at the regatta, with either Yarm School or Windsor Boys rounding out the podium, while Trentham Boat Club and Mossbourne Rowing Academy will have to fight to make it into the A-final.
