Oxford today (Sunday) beat Cambridge by five lengths to win the 152nd Boat Race, sponsored by Xchanging.

Oxford got away to the better start at Putney, seizing the early initiative from Cambridge, the pre-race favourites.

Umpire Simon Harris constantly issued warnings to the Dark Blue crew along Fulham Reach as they pushed Cambridge wide around the first bend.

But the Light Blue crew used the Middlesex bend to their advantage, clawing their way back on to level terms with Oxford, and then takling a brief lead going past the Mile Post. Cambridge went past the Mile Post in three minutes 45 seconds, with Oxford just half a second behind.

The two crews were neck and neck approaching Hammersmith Bridge, but Oxford had opened up a one second advantage by the they passed under the bridge in six minutes 42 seconds.

But then, going into rough water, Oxford made the decisive break, taking full advantage of the big Surrey bend to establish a length’s clear water over Cambridge. Cambridge started taking in water and the boat was sitting low in the water, making it difficult for the Light Blues to haul their way back into the race.

Oxford had established a six second lead by Chiswick Steps (Oxford 10 minutes 56 seconds, Cambridge 11 minutes two seconds).

By Barnes Bridge there was only one winner – Oxford had extended their lead to 11 seconds, passing under the bridge in 15 minutes and one second.

Cambridge laboured towards the finish as Oxford calmly took their boat home.

There were joyous scenes in the Dark Blue Boat after Oxford crossed the line to seal their second successive Boat Race victory.

Oxford crossed the line in 18 minutes 26 seconds - five lengths ahead of Cambridge, who finished in 18 minutes 41 seconds.

Afterwards Oxford stroke Bastien Ripoll said: "It was very, very hard, but we never gave up. It’s very, very nice when it works perfectly.

"It was exactly what we expected and maybe we won it a little easier than we thought," he added. "We were really confident during the warm-up and we knew this was our chance."

Oxford cox Seb Pearce added: "I was surprised we were so far up at the start, but they were slightly in front by the Harrods Depository.

"We just pushed so hard around Hammersmith and when the rough water came we were just awesome," he added. "We just ploughed through it."

Kieran West, rowing in the number six seat for Cambridge, said: "You can’t take it away from them because at the end of the day you have to go out and win the race, but it was upsetting that the conditions came into it so much."