Sean Bowden, Oxford’s head coach, paid tribute to his Dark Blue crew after the 153rd Boat Race, sponsored by Xchanging.

“It was a terrific race,” he said shortly after Cambridge’s one and a quarter length victory.

“We had a good race and made all the right moves to Hammersmith. It was good, solid stuff and I thought things were looking pretty good.

“But we couldn’t quite shake them off. Cambridge didn’t falter and hung on round the outside of the bend,” he added. “They got their tails up around Chiswick Eyot and that was it. We didn’t quite have enough of a lead to defend.

“Our guys can be extraordinarily proud of themselves.”