Oxford prove they had both power & technique

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As their crew powered their way to win the 151st Boat Race

The Dark Blues won by six seconds and two lengths from Cambridge in a time of 16.42. Oxford, the heaviest crew in Boat Race history at 15 stone 6lbs (98.35kg) a man on average, made a strong start and stroke Andy Hodge settled his crew into a steady and powerful rhythm.

"I sometimes think that I am the most boring rower you could think of", said Hodge afterwards. "It was my job to
set the rhythm. I had that one task and I stuck to it and the crew put on the power".

Cambridge, though, dug in to get back on almost level terms. Oxford made a decisive break at Chiswick Steps,
putting clear water between themselves and Cambridge and taking Cambridge's potential advantage on the final bend.

"That was a pretty critical moment for us", admitted coach Robin Williams afterwards.

There was no way back for Cambridge. Oxford went on to avenge their 2004 defeat in the third fastest time ever.

No-one was more relieved than cox Acer Nethercott who still felt the mental scars of the clash a year ago when his bowman was knocked out of his seat and the light Blues went on to victory. He said: "We won it from the very first stroke. It didn't feel like it until the Chiswick Steps area, because they did a really good job of hanging on to our coat tails. It was just awesome today - I had eight complete goliaths."

Oxford coach Sean Bowden said: "We kept quiet and put all of our efforts into our preparations. We had it won from the very first stroke. Cambridge were good but we got better and better with every stroke".

Tom Edwards, the first Tasmanian to row for Cambridge, said: "They were just too strong for us around that bend. We pushed and pushed and pushed, but it wasn't enough to come back on terms. I was really proud of the effort we put in, we went down fighting."

(image courtesy of the Boat Race.org)

Today's victory means that Oxford have closed down Cambridge's lead in the overall series to 78-72 in an event which began in 1829.

Over the past five years Oxford have now won three times and Cambridge twice.

Goldie, had earlier salvaged some pride for the Light Blues when they won the traditional annual reserve crew Race against Isis.

They set a course record of 16.48 to Isis's 17.03. Goldie moved quickly off the start,
rapidly created a length's lead then produced clear water between them and the chasing crew and never looked back.

March 28, 2005