On a blustery day at Dorney lake, CULRC won their race by 1/3L after a well-fought battle down the course. The reserves also had a good tussle with OULRC, finishing 3/4L ahead. Congratulations to both.
Men’s Lightweights
In the men’s Lightweight Varsity race, Oxford, with four returning half-blues on board and coached by Samuel Wells, made an impressive, aggressive start, emerging with a slight lead. Cambridge, with a stern pair of Sam Philpott and Ben Mackworth, both three times Boat Race winners, began a sustained attack during which they ground down the Oxford advantage.
Cambridge, holding their length in the water, moved out to a 3/4 length lead through the middle stages of the race. Oxford, stroked by Dan Bowen, bravely kept attacking, never letting Cambridge get open water, and closed the gap to 1/2 a length with 500m to go. However, Cambridge, a well drilled, dynamic unit, were resilient and crossed the line 1/3 a length ahead in a time of 6mins 26 seconds, now having accrued 5 consecutive wins under the coaching of Dan Janes and Steve Harris.
Men’s Reserves
The men’s reserves was a highly competitive coxed four race. After a clean, even start, Cambridge, stroked by Tom Roe and coached by Matthew Holland, maintained a high rate and snuck a slight advantage. Cambridge moved out to a 1 length lead before Oxford, stroked by their President George Spill pushed back. Cambridge held their advantage, despite a valiant push in the final 250m to win by 3/4 of a length in a time of 7mins 24 seconds, reversing the result of 2017.