boat race 22nd boat race crews university_of_oxford university_of_cambridge took place river_thames april oxford won lengths time minutes seconds race described sensational races history far umpired time crew won boat race having bridge background boat race rowing competition university_of_oxford referred dark blues university_of_cambridge referred light blues race held taken place mile championship course river thames southwest london rivalry major point honour universities followed united_kingdom worldwide oxford went race reigning champions having won race lengths oxford leading overall victories cambridge cambridge coached non rowing president rowed races oxford coach rowed oxford times non rowing president university boats constructed oxford cedar wood race umpired rowed oxford twice march december races race starter crews oxford crew weighed average pounds rower opposition cambridge saw return blues including cox number represented university twice oxford crew rowed previous year race race crews initially returned instruction boat club president demanded stay start oxford won toss elected start middlesex station handing surrey river cambridge following indifferent start crews cambridge took lead length ahead avoid pressing light blue cox archer steered boat middle river counterpart close bank resulting length lead cambridge crab tree pub lead lengths despite dominating race time crews passed hammersmith_bridge oxford reduced lead quarters length pub lead half length soon oxford boat overlapped opponents cambridge pushed away dark blues began overlap light blues stern cambridge stroke reacted pushed lead crews level oxford better line river saw draw away rapidly cambridge light blues regarded falling pieces oxford lead barnes bridge lengths time passed finishing line won lengths time minutes seconds securing fifth consecutive win taking overall record favour suggested races conducted far sensational races history described splendid race
The Boat Race 1865