Goldie, for Cambridge, won the 42nd Boat Race Reserves Race against Isis, of Oxford, by just over four lengths in a time of 19 minutes and 9.9 seconds.

Earlier Goldie had won the toss and Kyle Coveny chose the Surrey station for the Cambridge reserves. Both crews had boated in light rain but enjoyed the opportunity to warm-up in breezy but dry conditions.

Each crew rated 44 off the start but it was Goldie who took the early initiative and had developed a two-thirds of a length lead by the time the boats reached the Black Buoy.

Goldie increased their lead marginally at Craven Cottage to three-quarters of a length after which both crews headed for the lee shore on the Surrey side to benefit from the shelter.

In the stretch between Craven Cottage and the Mile Post umpire John Garrett warned Goldie three times for encroaching on Isis’ water.

By the Mile Post both crews had dropped back to a rate of 35 apiece but Goldie had drawn out to a length advantage. The pain was clear on Isis stroke Bruce Magee’s face as the wind and waves whipped water around his crew.

Coming into Hammersmith Bridge Goldie had clear water, rating at around 33, with Isis stepping up to 36.

This was where the crews hit the kind of conditions which were just as earlier predicted by Boat Race organiser Howard Jacobs - that’s to say a "wall of wind and water".

Despite the waves, Goldie pressed onto a length and a half lead. Isis switched to the Surrey station to try and keep out of the rough water. Goldie were also told to move across to Surrey by Race umpire John Garrett.

At Chiswick Eyot, Isis began to close the lead down in a brave but eventually final two attempts to get back into contention. Both crews were "hiding" along the Surrey bank and Isis put in another big push, roared on by their cox Nick Brodie.

As the crews came past Chiswick Pier the crews rowed back out into the stream. Goldie stretched their lead to two and a half lengths at the Crossing when a flock of Canadian Geese swept in alongside the tiring Isis.

By the Bandstand, one of the famous landmarks on the Middlesex bank, the race was effectively over. Goldie were five lengths ahead and had the luxury of cruising - if still in bruising conditions - home to win by four and a quarter lengths.

Times: Goldie Isis

Miles Post 3:49.50 3:50.50

Hammersmith Bridge 6:51.60 6:56.80

Chiswick Steps 11:25.40 11.33.40

Barnes Bridge 15:37.60 15:51.70

Finish 19:09.90 19:23.50