Dominant wins define 2025 Oarsport Junior Sculling Head

Almost 600 crews took to the water at Eton Dorney on 26 March, where perfect conditions gave the country’s best young scullers the opportunity to showcase their speed

In the Open categories, The Windsor Boys’ School once again dominated the timing sheets. Mark Wilkinson’s squad racked up five podium finishes, with headlines including wins in the J18 and J16 Quads – the latter in a slightly faster time than the J17 event – and the J15 Octuples. Reflecting on his squad’s wide range of achievements, Wilkinson said, “The first quad performed really well, dealing with the pressure that inevitably comes from being in that boat, racing the best they have all year to take the gold medal. Overall, all the boys who raced across the day did so with real guts and determination to finish off the winter season on a high. We now look forward to training camp and to the regatta season; the results from the last couple of days put us in a good place to press on.”

A jubilant George Watson’s College took their first-ever win at the Oarsport Junior Sculling Head in the Open J17 Quads. “This was a fantastic result for the school rowing programme,” said coach Adam Johnson, “the best result we’ve ever had at The Scullery. The crew have committed to training hard over the winter months, and it’s great for them to end the head season with a win at such a tough event.” The junior 17 title is just one of the medals George Watson’s will take home to Scotland following a stellar day that included bronze medals for the their Women’s J15 and J14 quads.

George Watson’s College – winners of Open J17 4x. (Photo: JRN.)

Wycliffe College retained their 2024 title in the Women’s J18 Quads and also won the Women’s J17 event.

In the Women’s J16 Quads, Marlow RC made their mark with a comprehensive win. “It’s a great result for our J16 girls,” said Pete Chambers, Head of Junior Rowing, “The Scullery is an excellent event, and we’re looking forward to racing again come the Scullery regatta later in the season.” Marlow also took home medals in the Women’s J15 and Open J16 quads, securing silver and bronze medals, respectively.

Marlow RC – winners of Women’s J16 4x. (Photo: JRN.)

Other standout performances across the categories included three medals each for Walbrook RC and Hampton School, and St George’s College beating Lady Eleanor Holles and Surbiton High School to gold in the Women’s J14 Octuples.

Henley RC took home four medals, including a gold in the Women’s J15 Octuples, whilst Trentham BC secured a bronze and silver in the Open J15 Quads and Women’s J14 Quads.

Notably, almost all but one of the 14 events were won by margins in excess of 5 seconds – and half byover 10 seconds – over the 3,600m distance, raced in two legs of 1,800m.

Event winners

Event	Winner	Time
Open J18 4x	The Windsor Boys’ School	11:33.1
Open J17 4x	George Watson’s College	12:07.8
Women’s J18 4x	Wycliffe College	12:54.7
Women’s J17 4x	Wycliffe College	13:21.0
Open J16 4x	The Windsor Boys’ School	12:07.5
Women’s J16 4x	Marlow RC	13:24.0
Women’s J15 8x+	Henley RC	13:56.8
Women’s J15 4x+	Headington School	14:42.8
Open J15 8x+	The Windsor Boys’ School	12:39.9
Open J15 4x+	Yarm School	13:05.5
Women’s J14 8x+	St George’s College	15:09.3
Women’s J14 4x+	Walbrook RC	14:51.4
Open J14 4x+	Abingdon School	13:45.4
Open J14 8x+	Radley College	13:45.4

Full results