 As the crews passed below Hammersmith Bridge, Cambridge held a slender lead. Despite a number of spurts from Oxford, the Light Blues held on to the lead, but relinquished it briefly before Stuart spurted once again as the crews passed into Corney Reach to re-take the lead. Oxford pushed on 300 yards (270 m) before Barnes Bridge and left Cambridge behind "as if standing". Clear at Barnes Bridge, Oxford extended their lead with every stroke and won by three and a half lengths in a time of 19 minutes 50 seconds. It was Oxford's first victory in four years and took the overall record in the event to 35 – 30 in their favour.
