Cambridge lived up to their pre-race billing as favourites

Although Oxford made the stronger start, the Light Blues hung in and began to exert their superiority midway through the race.

Once the heavier Cambridge crew took control they showed their class and never looked like being pegged back.

The win gave Cambridge their first success since 2004.

After back-to-back defeats in the last two races from Putney to Mortlake, Cambridge were eager to make amends but Oxford gained an early advantage by the first mile.

606: DEBATE Your reaction to Cambridge's victory

The Dark Blues were still marginally ahead at Hammersmith Bridge as the boats came close to touching oars.

Cambridge nosed in front around Chiswick Steps and, as Barnes Bridge came into view, they were a length in front.

Although Oxford pushed hard, they could not close the gap and Cambridge held on for a victory by a length and a quarter which denied their rivals a hat-trick of wins.

The Light Blues won in a time of 17 minutes 49 seconds.

It was a particularly sweet victory for Cambridge president Tom James, who finally became a Boat Race winner at his fourth and final attempt.

Credit to Oxford. They threw everything they had at us, but we absorbed it all Cambridge's Kieran West

"I didn't really want to think about losing again. I don't know what I would have done, but I wasn't thinking beyond this race," he said.

"We knew they were going to hammer off the start and we had to stick to our guns and keep moving.

"We kept pounding and coming down the straights. It was just a matter of listening to the calls and staying on your blades.

"Having lost three times, it's a great relief not to be in that situation again."

Oxford coach Sean Bowden paid tribute to his crew after their defeat.

"We had a good race and made all the right moves to Hammersmith, but we couldn't quite shake them off and didn't quite have enough lead to defend," he said.

"But our guys can be extraordinarily proud of themselves."