Oxford and Cambridge both tested their mettle in pre-Race fixtures on the Tideway today in choppy, windy and very cold conditions.

Oxford were first on the bill, taking on an American eight which featured 2005 winning Blues Michael Blomquist and Chris Liwski as well as USA international Dan Beery. They raced two pieces and the American eight won both: the first from Putney to St Paul’s by a length and a half, the second; the second by 2/3 of a length.

Oxford coach Sean Bowden was relatively pleased with what he saw. "We showed some good qualities today. It was always going to be tough in these conditions. We had some good phases, particularly in the second piece".

In that second race Oxford were pulling back into contention, around Barnes Bridge, when the crews clashed. "That was a pity", said Bowden. "When we came out from the clash we were around three-quarters of a length down again. I think if we hadn’t clashed it would have been a much closer second race".

Cambridge were also involved in a clash in front of the boat-houses in Putney at the beginning of their first race with a Molesey crew stroked by world champion (men’s four) Andy Hodge and featuring several GB internationals but also a crew which was very short of race practice.

The clash was sufficiently dramatic, with Molesey bowman Richard Ockenden losing his seat, that umpire Pete Bridge decided to re-start the Race again.

Cambridge went on to win that first race and the second, both by comfortable margins.

"I was looking for some fast rowing, for some controlled aggression and for the crew to handle the pressure of tricky water", said coach Duncan Holland. "I’d give the whole thing seven out of ten today".

"I was pleased with how it went and the second piece was a tough race".

Both crews will next have some race-practice on the Tideway over the weekend of 18/19 March.

Each President will announce their Blue Boat line-ups formally tomorrow (6 March) at Winchester House, Putney.