We knew that that today was going to be a tough day for us. We were bracketed by two very quick crews; Downing in front of us with their large lightweight contingent and Pembroke behind who also had their fair share of light blkue, not to mention the rather intimidating figure of Kieran West (Olymic gold medallist and Boat Race winner). The race started better than it had done yesterday and although we never got insisde station on Downing we made a good fist of the run to first post corner.

However, as had happened yesterday, things started to come apart coming out of first post corner and into the gut. Coming through the corner, there was a tangible sense of tension rippling through the boat, unfortunately, these nerves seemed to take-over; we stiffened-up and thrings started to get messy. As Kate called the push out of the corner, the flow of the boat seemed to recover as the push seemed to offer a mental respite and a focus for the nerves in the boat. This focus didn't last as long as we would have like however, and through the Gut our untidyness allowed Pembroke the opportunity to start getting inside station. From this point onwards, it was obvious that this was going to be a hard battle.

There were moments around Grassy and down the Plough Reach when things came together and we pushed away from Pembroke, however, these were sporadic and did not compensate for the ammount they were taking out of use when we stiffened-up. Pembroke eventually bumped us outside The Plough.

Today's race was charactierised by our nerves (as had the day before); we had great speed when we were rowing well however, as soon as any tension crept into the boat that pace was immediately cut short. As a crew we know that all we need to do to succeed is to stay calm, not worry about being chased and simply focus on chasing down the boat ahead - if we can stay calm we can fly.

Being positioned right behind the St Edmunds "Blue Boat" meant that today was unlikely to result in a bump. Instead we had a strong row over and the longest piece of the week.

After a strong start, in which we held to Eddie's for the first 20 strokes, they pulled away and bumped Emmanuel II at the Motorway Bridge while we continued rowing a fast pace to go for the overbump on Homerton. This tactic was a little overconfident (especially since they are a blades-winning 1st 8) and unfortunately we lost two lengths over the course to Homerton who also finished with a comfortable row over.

At the reach it was obvious that the overbump was not possible so we reduced the rating to maintain a solid, strong row over the line. Not the result we wanted but positive nonetheless.

Today M3 put together their most solid row of the competition so far.

Once again starting at Sandwich meant that a row over against a good Selwyn boat that did eat into us yesterday was needed.  Bolstered by the return of our South African Rich we did just that putting clear water between us and Selwyn and they didn't get anywhere near us as the boat rowed fast and powerful and just stretched away.

Once again it was 3rd time lucky trying to catch the Darwin boat and get out of sandwich and for once we actually had some luck.  Our row was solid but unspectacular maintaining between 2 lengths and 1 and a half lengths off Darwin through most of the course, helped by some superb coxing from Sarah.  Coming under the railway bridge the gap was probably about 2 lengths but Sarah held an excellant inside line forcing their cox into a costly mistake.  Due to our position they waited until too late to try and turn and ended up catching the bank, although not crashing and only missing a few strokes this was all we needed as Sarah called for the kill.  Having heard no whistles there was a moment hesitation until everyone put all they had left into it as the boat flew.  Eventually taking the bump 2 metres from the finish.

This was what the boat really deserved for all the effort put in this term and some horific results go against us.  Tomorrow we only row once, how good is that??