Approaching the New England Championships on May 24, Middlesex tested their speed against some of the top crews in the league on the Concord River on Saturday, May 10, and came away with some decisive wins and close races.

On a shortened 1250-meter course, the Middlesex fifth and sixth boats took on Nobles.  The sixth boat jumped Nobles right from the start and never looked back.  The fifth boat battled with Nobles most of the way down the course until Nobles caught an over-the-head crab with about 400 meters to go.  Middlesex pulled away, but Nobles recovered and fought their way back to just a four-second differential.

In the fourth boat race, Deerfield fell off the pace in the first 250 meters, and Middlesex and Nobles went stroke for stroke in a battle for the lead though the 1000-meter mark.  Nobles appeared to be gaining the edge on MX as the two crews approached the sprint, but MX moved back and took a strong sprint to cross the line a mere 0.4 seconds ahead of Nobles.

The third boat flew off the line at an uncharacteristically high rate and took the lead quickly.  Still rowing high, they put distance between them and Deerfield and Nobles.  Finally settling to their race pace of 32, MX was in a groove and didn't give up any water to their competition.

The second boat race also jumped off the line, but Deerfield held pace with MX, while Nobles fell back early.  Middlesex had a slight edge over Deerfield at the 500, but Deerfield came back to regain control of the lead by half a length at the 1000.  Nobles was not to be counted out, as they moved to gain overlap with MX, but by the last 30 strokes, MX had opened up on Nobles again.  Deerfield widened their lead to a boat length, and the three boats crossed the line with open water between them.

The girls first boat race was an epic battle.  Deerfield's latest results make them the fastest crew in New England, and Middlesex is the defending 1V champion.  Deerfield and MX were even off the start through the first 250 meters.  MX gained a deck lead over Deerfield by the 500, and Nobles was tip to tip.  By the 1000, MX still held their slight lead over Deerfield, but Deerfield held the advantage around the turn and pulled up even.  Nobles had fallen off the pace, but Deerfield and Middlesex were in a dead heat coming into the sprint.  With about 400 meters to go, Deerfield called their sprint early, effortlessly bringing the stroke rating up to a blazing 38 and immediately gaining ground.  Middlesex answered, also raising the rate to a 38 and making an incredible move to come within half a length of Deerfield, finishing just three seconds behind.  It was terrific racing by both crews and a strong showing on the Concord River for all of the Middlesex boats.