Goldie this afternoon made it a hat-trick of successive Reserve Race wins.

The Cambridge reserve boat, coxed for the third successive year by American Russell Glenn, beat the Oxford reserves, Isis, by four lengths.

Goldie crossed the finish line in 17 minutes 48 seconds, with Isis finishing in 18 minutes.

It means Goldie now lead the Reserve Race series 28-15.

This was a tense battle from the start to Hammersmith Bridge with the lead swapping hands several times by the narrowest of margins. Goldie seemed to be ahead as the crews passed the finish-end of Craven Cottage, Fulham FC’s football club but it was Isis who were up by a fraction at the Mile Post. Only half a second separated them at this landmark.

Umpire Rob Clegg had his work cut out warning both crews at various times. As the Race shot under Hammersmith Bridge Goldie cox Russell Glenn was warned several times. Eventually a clash was avoided by just inches as Goldie passed the timing point in 7:01 with Isis just a second behind.

Indeed it was between Hammersmith and St Pauls that this race was won with a considerable push from Goldie which saw them take a lead quickly before stretching it out to a length and a half on the approach to Chiswick Steps.

Isis bowman Paul Kelly could not resist a look over his shoulder at this point. He would have been disappointed with what he saw as Goldie stretched out their lead onto Barnes Bridge and beyond. At Barnes Bridge Goldie went through in 14:45 to Goldie’s 15:55.

By the finish Goldie were rating at 32 with Isis at 35 - indicating the disparity in power. Goldie took the eventual verdict by four lengths in a time of 17:48 with Goldie in 18:00.

Split times:

Mile Post:

Goldie: 3:54.50; Isis: 3:54.00

Hammersmith Bridge:

Goldie: 7:01; Isis 7:02

Chiswick Steps:

Goldie: 10.56; Isis 11:03

Barnes Bridge:

Goldie: 14:45; Isis: 15:55

Finish:

Goldie: 17:48; Isis: 18:00