Cambridge do the double in men’s and women’s boat races

Cambridge completed a clean sweep on the River Thames with victories over Oxford in both the men’s and women’s events of the traditional university boat race.

It was expected to be a tight battle in the 170th men’s race, but instead the light blue boat built up an early lead and never looked back, shocking an Oxford crew stacked with several Olympians.

Cambridge pulled out to a lead of just under two seconds, and extended their advantage as they crossed under the Hammersmith Bridge just over four seconds ahead.

They continued to look loose and in control as they built up a considerable advantage of more than 12 seconds at the Barnes Bridge before pulling well clear to claim a comfortable win.

Cambridge made it eight straight wins in a controversial women’s competition.

The race was umpired by four-time Olympic champion Matthew Pinsent, who had a huge early decision to make after the oars clashed within the first two minutes.

It was a move initiated by Oxford cox Daniel Orton, and for a brief moment it looked like Pinsent was contemplating disqualifying the dark blue boat.

Instead he elected for a restart, handing Cambridge – who had been out in front – a compensatory advantage a one-third of a length.

The light blue boat began to pull ahead under the Hammersmith Bridge, maintaining a significant gap by the halfway point and crossed the Chiswick Steps with an advantage of just over six seconds, extended to 7.72 seconds by the time they crossed the finish.