Oxford overcome Cambridge to win Boat Race for first time since 2017

Oxford were able to bring to an end Cambridge’s recent supremacy in the men’s Boat Race with victory on the traditional university race’s return to the River Thames.

In the first Boat Race held in London since 2019, the Dark Blues halted their rivals’ run of three straight race wins to give long-serving chief coach Sean Bowden a 13th success in his 25th year in the role.

The bookmakers had made Oxford the overwhelming favourites for the 167th men’s race and they delivered to claim bragging rights for the first time in five years.

It denied Cambridge another double after their women had roared to a fifth victory in a row with a record time of 18 minutes and 22.936 seconds.

After two years away from the capital, following the cancelation of the 2020 showpiece and last year’s race being held at the remote location of the Great River Ouse, every row was on this occasion met with loud cheers.

There were a number of Olympians involved including multiple gold-medalist umpire Matthew Pinsent, who warned both crews early on to stay apart on the 4.2-mile championship course.

Oxford stayed focused on the task at hand and a handy advantage had been built up by the turn of the bend near Hammersmith Bridge.

It was all about bringing the boat home now and cox Jack Tottem kept his crew focused to ensure Oxford, who had Tokyo silver-medalist Angus Groom involved in high-level rowing for the final time, crossed the line before Chiswick Bridge in a time of 16 minutes and 42 seconds.

Cambridge maintained their dominance over their Oxford counterparts earlier on in the day with a record time in the 76th edition of the women’s race.

An aggressive start by the defending champions paid off despite umpire John Garrett repeatedly telling Light