The Oxford Lightweights' Trials Race over Henley Reach resulted in the closest margin on the history of the race when 'Boom' held on to victory over the 2000m course against 'Bust' by just two inches.
'Bust' took the early lead on the Berkshire station and quickly settled to 34 strokes a minute, but then 'Boom', stroked by OULRC President Ben Harrop-Griffiths, found their rhythm at 33 and drew ahead. For a moment the race looked all over as Bust paid for their early lead and looked increasingly ragged against a cohesive opposition, but they regained the initiative and began to build an attack which was sustained all the way from the Farm to the Island.
As the crews approached the potential funnel at the Finish 'Boom' were warned for their steering by umpire Mark Blandford-Baker, but when they eventually responded 'Bust' went across with them and the blades overlapped for several strokes. Both crews now scented victory and charged for the line, crossing together in a time of 5mins 51 secs. 'Bust' thought they had the race in the bag but the verdict was given to 'Boom' by just two inches - less than the diameter of a bow ball.