OXFORD University were beaten for a second successive year as Cambridge University won the 165th Men's Boat Race.

It turned out to be a disappointing day for the Dark Blues on the River Thames in London, as they also lost the women’s and both reserve events.

Despite a late push, Oxford were unable to claw back the Light Blues’ early advantage in the men's race.

Cambridge, whose crew included Olympic double champion James Cracknell, triumphed by two seconds.

The boats clashed early on as the Light Blues steered across the centre line.

But Cambridge went on to open up a two-length lead, before resisting a late Oxford fightback to win back-to-back Boat Races for the first time in 20 years and lead the head-to-head 84-80.

The Dark Blues appealed to the umpire at the end, but the result stood.

Cracknell, 46, told BBC Sport: “They hung on really well. When they appealed at the end, I thought I can do without a re-row to be honest.”

Earlier in the day, Oxford’s women were beaten by five lengths.