Middlesex traveled to Pomfret, CT for the final race before the New England Championships, for which all four varsity boats qualified.  In the fourth boat race, Newton Country Day School bobbles at the start to give Middlesex an early jump, but they could not hold off NCDS, who slowly chipped away at their lead.  Moving out early on Pomfret and Chase and continuing to widen their lead, NCDS was well ahead by the half way point.  However, the Middlesex crew fought to regain contact, and made a move going into the sprint.  NCDS maintained a 9-second lead over the finish line, and Middlesex finished wells ahead of Pomfret and Chase Collegiate. 

The third boat race was a race for redemption, as NCDS bested the Middlesex crew by 1 second earlier in the season.  It was a hard-fought race from start to finish, as NCDS settled to a 35 versus a 32 by the Zebras.  Stroke by stroke the third boat worked at the lower rating, steadily taking seats and eventually defeating NCDS by 9 seconds and Pomfret by 35 seconds.

The second boat, stroked by senior captain Miranda Kotidis, was even with NCDS through the first 500 meters, when NCDS took a move and never looked back.  Middlesex finished 6 seconds behind NCDS and 13 and 15 seconds ahead of Worcester Academy and Pomfret, respectively.

It was a crowded field with five boats in the first boat race, but it quickly became a two-boat race as Middlesex and NCDS jumped ahead right off the start.  It was a relatively slow start for the Middlesex crew; though they took seats on Pomfret, Worcester, and Chase, NCDS was nearly a boat length ahead by the settle.  Undeterred, the first boat dug in and sought to close the gap.  By the 1000, Middlesex had made up the distance and was closing in on NCDS.  It was dead even in the sprint, and NCDS managed to get their bow ball across the line 1 second ahead.  Great racing by all crews!  We look forward to more strong competition at NEIRAs next weekend.

NCDS	5:22.2
Middlesex	5:23.4
Pomfret	5:42.2
Worcester	5:58.1
Chase	6:01.7

Second Four:
NCDS	5:43.2
Middlesex	5:49.0
Worcester	6:02.8
Pomfret	6:04.6

Third Four:
Middlesex	5:56.4
NCDS	6:05.2
Pomfret	6:31.1

Fourth Four:
NCDS	5:50.2
Middlesex	5:59.2
Pomfret	6:28.4
Chase	6:38.3