 By the Crab Tree pub , Cambridge 's stroke Brocklebank made his first push for ten strokes to which Oxford responded in kind . A second push from the Light Blues however saw them pull away and lead by one and a quarter lengths as they passed below Hammersmith Bridge . As both crews enountered a headwind , they dropped to 29 strokes per minute , but their styles were markedly different : Cambridge were lively while Oxford laboured . By Chiswick Steps the lead was two and a half lengths and three by Barnes Bridge . The Dark Blues pushed hard in the final stretches and slowly reduced Cambridge 's lead until Brocklebank put one final spurt in at Mortlake Brewery to secure the victory . 
