Across The Line: Hot off the press from The Scullery
Plus dispatches from Kingston Head, North of England Head, Boat Race fixtures as well as the Boustead and Rayner Cups
Credit: AllMarkOne
We’re Across The Line! Join us to look back on a blockbuster three days of racing.
Scottish success as thousands of juniors take to the water at the Wintech Sculling Head
Scottish schools George Watson’s College BC and George Heriot’s School RC had a Scullery to remember as they head back north of the border with minibuses full of medals. The two clubs, whose boathouses neighbour each other on Edinburgh’s Union canal, won the Open and Women’s J17 Quadruple Sculls, respectively. The Watson’s boys beat The Windsor Boys’ School BC by 10s on their way to the title, while George Heriot’s had a commanding win of more than 16s ahead of Headington School Oxford BC.
Hartpury University and College BC climbed the ranking from Schools’ Head of the River to top the Women’s Junior Quadruple Scull ranking. In the process, they finished six seconds ahead of Headington who were just 1.7s ahead of third place Marlow RC. Maidenhead RC won the J16 Women’s Quad. While The Windsor Boys’ School won the Open Junior Quads and were the fastest crew of the day to go with their win in the J16 Quads, and the J15 Octos.
Walton RC would win the Women’s J15 Octos ahead of Surbiton High School BC, and Headington, while Lady Eleanor Holles would triumph in the J14 event. The final event of the day, the Open J14 Octos was won by The Windsor Boy’s School, a poetic end to the day as they win the first and last divisions of racing.
Kingston win on home water on the Thames
Kingston Rowing Club won Open Championship Eights on their home course and claimed the headship in the process. Their outfit in division two were 0.1s quicker than Hampton School BC who won the Open Senior Eights. The top three were rounded out by Hampton’s J16 squad, who add to their two silver medals in Championship J16 and 2nd J16 Eights from Schools’ Head.
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Lea RC had a fruitful return to North London as they went home with a brace of wins in the first division. Their Women’s Squad fielded the fastest Women’s Eight of the Day on their way to defeating Godolphin and Latymer School BC by just over four seconds. They also won the Women’s Coxed Four event too. Not to be outdone, the men of the Lea were also victorious in Coxed Fours, beating Bedford RC by over 20s.
There was further success for Kingston RC on a day where the host club floated more than 30 crews. They won the Women’s J18 Quadruple Sculls, the Women’s Quads, Women’s Masters C/D Quad, Women’s Masters E/F Coxed Four, and the Open J14 Coxed Quad.
Oxford University BC beat Leander Club in final Boat Race Media fixture
The dark blue women of Oxford University BC head into their final two weeks of preparation for the Chanel J12 Boat Race with plenty of wind in their sails.
Across two pieces from Putney to the Chiswick Steps and then to the finish, Oxford University BC won by just over a length, and a length and a quarter, respectively. The Blue Boat, racing in their lineup that was announced to the world at Somerset House took command of both pieces against a Leander Club crew that has seen change since they raced Cambridge University BC and Women’s Eights Head of the River Race.
With the changes across the Leander crew, it makes it challenging to say exactly how quick all of the crews are in comparison to each other. The bottom line is that this Oxford outfit is the most impressive we’ve seen in recent years, both physically and mentally, the latter proven by their ability to pull away from Leander as they rowed away from Barnes Bridge on the outside of the bend.
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Elsewhere across the weekend, The Cambridge University BC Lightweights were in action, both beating their opposition from Molesey BC. Goldie also beat their Leander opposition in both of their pieces while the Cambridge University BC Men’s Blue Boat made a huge statement ahead of race day, beating a Leander Club by three quarters of a length, who raced with a crew packed full of Caversham talent and three Cambridge University alumni.
Thames RC dominate Rayner Cup while London RC’s men win big at the Boustead
The women of Thames RC swept up in their annual contest against London RC. First raced in 2019 and named after the late Pauline Rayner, a GB international and doyenne of Thames RC.
Credit: AllMarkOne
Victory for Thames RC was comfortable across the 1st Eights, 2nd Eights, and the Quadruple Sculls.
On the men’s side of things, London regained the Boustead Cup, the annual challenge between the first Eights from both clubs. It was been contested since 1947 and is raced over the Championship course from Mortlake to Putney. London RC’s victory of three and a half lengths saw them also move ahead in the overall rankings, 34 to Thames RC’s 33.
It was a much closer affair in the 2nd Eights, as London prevailed by just half a length. Thames RC would win the men’s 3rd Eights by clear water. The Putney rivalry will be reignited once again as both clubs, along with others from across the UK and Europe take part in the 100th anniversary of the Head of the River Race on Saturday.
Royal Chester favourites for the Jackson Trophy
Ahead of the 100th anniversary of the Head of the River this weekend, Royal Chester RC won a vital battle against big rivals Agecroft RC at the North of England Head. Racing over the 5000m course on the river Dee through Chester, the local lads beat the men from Manchester by just over four seconds, while Northwich RC would place third.
The Jackon Trophy for provincial clubs is always a closely fought affair. At last year’s event, Agecroft were triumphant, beating Tyne ARC by less than three seconds, with Royal Chester RC just 2.3s further back. This year is shaping up to be another belter of a contest.
Agecroft showed their depth in Chester, winning Band 2 Eights by over 30s. Manchester University BC won Band 3, adding to their success at Trafford Head of The Bridgewater, while Trentham BC won Band 4.
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The women of Royal Chester BC made sure it was a weekend to remember for the whole club in a result that was almost a carbon copy of the open crews in the same division. They once again beat Agecroft by just over four seconds, to win Band 1, while Manchester University BC were third. Liverpool University BC beat Grosvenor BC to claim the Band 2 title.
On the Junior side of things, Royal Shrewsbury School BC beat The King’s School Chester BC to win both the J17 and J18 Eights while Warrington RC would win the Women’s J18 Quads, Queen’s Park Chester RC, both J17 events, and Northwich RC the Open J18 Quad.
Other Results
Henley Royal Regatta to recognise the Scottish Rowing Championships as one of the UK’s leading competitions
Credit: Holly Jones
The decision follows feedback gathered during Henley Royal Regatta’s club consultation initiative last year and aligns with the Regatta’s commitment to strengthening connections across the rowing community in line with one of its key strategic principles
Social Spotlight: Meet Tom Solesbury, Evesham RC style
What happens when you mix quick fire questions from the juniors and the newly appointed CEO Tom Solesbury? Watch on to find out!
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That’s all from Across The Line this week!
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