Cambridge sweep Oxford aside to maintain double dominance

Women clash before eighth straight Cambridge win and men's third victory in a row

- Luke McLaughlin

The Cambridge men's coach, Rob Baker, said his athletes "100%" used the recent eligibility row as motivation after the light-blue crews sealed dominant victories at the Boat Race yesterday.

The women's boat claimed an eighth consecutive win in dramatic circumstances while the men, having been pushed by the Oxford crew early on, pulled away to secure a third successive victory in crushing fashion.

In the unedifying pre-event controversy over eligibility that led to four Cambridge athletes being barred from racing, Oxford were accused of "slimy tactics" by their rivals and Baker said the affair fuelled their competitive urge.

"In terms of the noise, it's not really interrupted our progress," he said.

"It's just been motivation frankly. The guys realise that two guys could have rowed with us in the boat today and they didn't get that opportunity.

"It was extra motivation 100%. Matt [Heywood] and Tom [Ford] are fantastic guys, really great individuals. They've supported the team all the way through. It takes quite a strong character to come down here and watch the race when you weren't allowed to do it, and support the team all the way through. We're really proud of them."

After a uniquely controversial buildup the start of the 79th women's race could hardly have been more dramatic or confrontational.