New to the calendar this year, the Junior Fours Head arrived with high expectations – only for Storm Claudia to sweep in and remind everyone exactly what winter rowing looks like. With relentless rain, bitter cold, and a course rapidly turning into a mud-slicked obstacle, conditions were as miserable as they come. Yet even in the worst of the weather, crews lined up determined, knowing that an entirely new event meant that a guaranteed course record was there for the taking, no matter what. And perhaps the most considerable relief of all: despite a reputation for cancellations, this year’s running somehow survived the storm.
Men’s Sculling
With Tideway Scullers School setting off as the first crew of the day, all eyes were on them to see whether they could convert their home-water advantage into a win. Unfortunately for the Chiswick-based outfit, Marlow Rowing Club came through with the fastest time of the day, securing a decisive seven-second victory. Just three seconds separated Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School Boat Club, Leander Club and then Tideway, suggesting that the Junior 18 quads are going to be an incredible sight to watch unfold over the season. The ‘Hippos’ managed a valuable podium finish after a somewhat disappointing season last year, but I am sure this result will give them a timely boost of confidence.
Shiplake College Boat Club’s result in the Junior 16 coxed quads proved to be a testament to Dave Currie’s coaching; they delivered a commanding 21-second victory over the rest of the field. Abingdon School Boat Club and Marlow rounded off the podium, separated by just two seconds. Without a doubt, these two will be crews that Shiplake must watch closely as the season progresses – but for now, Shiplake holds a comfortable edge.
Women’s Sculling
The purple and white of Wycliffe College Boat Club once again dominated the women’s Junior 18 quads. With two quads in the top ten, the depth of the squad has clearly carried over into this season. Marlow Rowing Clubs’s recent GB-level successes have clearly aided this crew’s dynamics, helping land them the top spot on Friday and reaffirm their credentials as the leading contender for summer silverware. However, despite missing out on a podium finish, Sir William Perkin’s School Rowing Club’s leading quad has clear potential to do remarkably well later on in the season.
All the way from Italy, the crew from Team Lombardia Italy dominated the women’s Junior 16 coxed quads with an 18-second win. The rest of the crews remained far more spread out, leaving the question of whether Lombardia will return later in the season to assert its dominance once again.
Men’s Sweep
Despite their young crew, Eton College Boat Club secured a strong bronze position in the Junior 18 coxless fours, with Norwich School Boat Club’s sole four claiming the gold. St Edward’s School Boat Club appeared to have focused their efforts on the coxed fours, finishing closely behind Shiplake College Boat Club’s ‘B’ crew. Shiplake’s ‘A’ crew were only an eighth of a second off Royal Shrewsbury School Boat Club, who went home with the gold. With new additions to the squad, such as Barney Doyle (who placed fourth at Boston Head), Zac Young, and Aston Philips, the depth of talent at Shiplake has once again been proven in the Junior 18 coxed fours, where they placed two crews in the top four. This is a strong indication that the boys from Shiplake will be a significant force as the season unfolds.
In the younger age group, Hampton School Boat Club seem keen to follow in Shiplake’s example, by also placing two fours in the top ten of the Junior 16 coxed fours. St Paul’s School Boat Club delivered the biggest win of the day, finishing 23 seconds clear. This comes as no surprise, given their numerous GB U19 rowers forming their ‘A’ four. The crew from Istituto Statale Italy continued their impressive feats over on the Tideway stretch, coming in just behind Hampton’s top four.
Women’s Sweep
Headington School Oxford Boat Club took the junior women’s sweeping by storm on Friday, winning both the Junior 18 coxed and coxless fours. Leading the coxless fours with Headington were the girls of Henley Rowing Club; however, Headington held a convincing win in the coxed fours. Henley also secured fourth place in the coxed fours, showing that Henley’s national and international achievements are a testament to these girls’ resilience and determination. Equally, not enough can be said about the consistent achievements of the Headington girls, and it will be fascinating to see how far this squad progresses this year.
Unsurprisingly, St Paul’s Girls’ School Boat Club secured the win in the women’s Junior 16 coxed fours on their home stretch. Their consistent excellence is hard to bet against, and this victory will undoubtedly set them up for a phenomenally successful season to come. Wallingford Rowing Club’s steadily improving sweep programme was the one to test the leaders on Friday, and I am sure St Paul’s Girls will be keeping an eye on them in the upcoming head races.
Mixed Quads
With the mixed quads featuring as a new addition to a new event, all was to play for. Canford School Boat Club claimed the gold, with Tideway Scullers School following closely behind by just half a second, whilst Emanuel School Boat Club managed their only podium of the day with a strong third-place finish. This event proved to be exciting and rewarding to many, and it will undoubtedly become one to look forward to in the future.
Conclusion
Overall, the Junior Fours Head delivered a strong day of racing and an excellent start to the head-race season. Headington and Marlow were amongst the standout clubs of the day, asserting clear control over their respective divisions. Beyond the headline wins, though, this event revealed categories decided by mere seconds and a field packed with rising squads, the results hinting at a fiercely competitive winter ahead. If this inaugural edition is anything to go by, the Junior Fours Head may well become a fixture that shapes early-season momentum for years to come.
