 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 . 
