Oxford's heavyweight crew powered their way to a two-length victory over Cambridge in the third-fastest time in University Boat Race history on the River Thames yesterday.

Their official winning time of 16mins 42secs in the 151st race was 23 seconds outside the record set by the Light Blues in 1998.

Oxford's Barney Williams complimented his crew - which included president Robin Bourne-Taylor from Abingdon - for "rowing the perfect race".

Victory was particularly sweet for Williams, a member of the Canadian coxless four pipped in a photo-finish by Great Britain as Matthew Pinsent secured his fourth Olympic gold medal in Athens last summer.

"This is better because we won, but I'm so thankful I've had two phenomenal experiences in less than a year," he said.

"It wasn't tough for me coming off the Olympics and shaking off that depression because I didn't have any, but I did need a change of pace and coming here has provided that.

"The Oxford guys let me get back in at my own pace and today I felt I was rowing as hard as I was at the Olympics."

Oxford, a stone and a half heavier per man than the Light Blues at a Boat Race record average of 15st 6lbs, got the all-important better start and never looked back after providing the crucial surge when Cambridge briefly got back on level terms before Hammersmith Bridge.

"We never let them establish their rhythm the way they wanted and that is what we had to do," said Williams.

"By taking the race right from the first stroke and really charging out of the gate like that, I don't think Cambridge were ever able to sit back with any sort of cool, comfortable precision.

"They were always saying 'we need more' and that is a desperate situation for a crew to be in so early into the race."

Striking early proved decisive, and Williams added: "The key moment was three to five strokes into the race when all of us felt 'wow, we've got rid of them'.

There was a small consolation for Cambridge, whose reserve boat Goldie beat Isis by five lengths in a record time of 16mins 48secs to take the second-string race.