Cambridge University beat Oxford to win the 75th Women’s Boat Race

Cambridge University have won the 75th Women's Boat Race.

The Light Blues beat Oxford by just short of a length on the River Great Ouse at Ely, making it four victories in a row over the Dark Blues.

It was a very dramatic start to the race, with clashing of oars.

Oxford impinged on the Cambridge line at the start of the race, and received multiple warnings from umpire Judith Packer.

But having got into a rhythm, Cambridge were able to get a two-seat lead.

The line of the Dark Blues kept Packer on her toes, and it took a while for them to settle.

Oxford were starting to make up some of the distance that they had lost at the start of the race.

Having regained the ground lost off the start, the crews came together and there was clashing with more warnings for the Oxford crew.

However, they were able to establish a two-seat advantage.

Although Oxford had the lead, Cambridge looked more comfortable and with about 1,500m gone they were able to start to claw back the deficit.

There was a three-seat lead for Oxford but the warning continued for Oxford cox Costi Levy.

About seven minutes into the race, Cambridge called a move to try to make ground on their rivals.

At the River Lark inter-junction, Cambridge were back on level terms.

Cambridge looked like they may start to inch away, but with the finishing bridge starting to come into sight, Oxford prepared for a call and their tenacious spirit meant that there was no respite for the Light Blues.

Oxford were pushing back, determined to go for one last push which led to another warning from the umpire.

But as the finish line approached, Cambridge were able to increase their lead and it was an advantage they were not to give up, making it a fourth successive Boat Race win with victory by just short of a length.

Cambridge University women's crew: Bow Adriana Perez Rotondo (Newnham), Sarah Portsmouth (Newnham), Abigail Parker (Emmanuel), Caoimhe Dempsey (Newnham), Anouska Fenley (Lucy Cavendish), Sophie Paine (Girton), Bronya Sykes (Gonville & Caius), stroke Sarah Tisdall (Lucy Cavendish), cox Dylan Whittaker (King's).

Oxford University women’s crew: Bow Katie Anderson (Brasenose), Anja Zehfuss (Green Templeton), Meg Stoker (St Peter's), Amelia Standing (St Anne's), Martha Birtles (Mansfield), Georgina Grant (Harris Manchester), Julia Lindsay (St Cross), stroke Katherine Maitland (St Hugh's), cox Costi Levy (Exeter).

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