The Pairs Head of the River Race is the second of the Tideway races and one of the first major head races for many rowers. For the 11 crews competing for the pennant in the Intermediate category, it will be a test of steering abilities and crew cohesion on this technical 4500m course down the Thames, and a chance to try out new combinations for the coming season.
Reading University
Reading University has five entries across the open categories at Pairs Head, which is testament to the depth of the Reading programme. This strong double is their entry in the intermediate category. Finn Worthington is one half of this crew; he won two gold medals at the Coupe De La Jeunesse in 2023 and has previously made the Saturday of Henley with Shiplake College in the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup. He is joined by Will Buckingham who has collected several intermediate BUCS medals throughout his time at Reading, including a recent bronze in the intermediate quad at BUCS Regatta. This combination clearly brings with it a wealth of experience from international junior and high-level domestic racing, which, paired with the excellence of the Reading University sculling programme, puts this double in a very strong position to claim the pennant.
University of the West of England
Johnston and Cook come to Pairs Head straight from racing in the lightweight double at the European Universities Rowing Championships in Poland where they came away with a 6th place finish in a strong field. This double claimed their EUSA qualification after coming second in the championship lightweight doubles at BUCS Regatta. Having already raced internationally this season, this double will be hungry to showcase themselves on the domestic stage and take the win.
Globe Rowing Club
From the club based in the Docklands, this crew features two returners from last season’s successful coxless four. Davidson and O’Callaghan were both members of the Wyfold boat that won their first round at Henley last summer, only to be knocked out by the eventual winners. They also took the win in tier two at Marlow Regatta and continued this form by going on to win the club fours event at the British Rowing Club Championships in July. It will be interesting to see how these two will come together in this category, and I would expect them to place high up in the rankings.
Predictions
For the win, it is hard to see past the crew from Reading University Boat Club given the prowess of the Reading programme and the calibre of these athletes. However, the combination from the University of the West of England may be able to pose a significant challenge, given their recent form and race experience, with Globe Rowing Club following closely behind.
