 Cambridge made the better start , but Oxford 's steady rowing brought them level and within 300 yards ( 270 m ) of the start , they were nearly half @-@ a @-@ length up on the Light Blues . By Craven Steps , they were clear and two lengths up by the Mile Post . Oxford crossed over to row directly in front of Cambridge , and according to MacMichael , " it was evident here that the race was over , barring accidents . " The Dark Blues were three lengths up as they shot Barnes Bridge and won by fifteen lengths . It was Oxford 's third consecutive victory and took the overall total to ten wins each , the first time since the 1856 race that the scores were tied . 
