Isis late surge puts Cambridge firmly in their place at Henley Royal Regatta

Henley Royal Regatta came alive with Boat Race action on Thursday when Oxford's Isis coxless four managed the rare feat of equalling the course record, while beating Cambridge by only one foot.

The Light Blues had held the upper hand and nearly a length's lead the entire way. But a desperate charge in the Enclosures brought the Dark Blues level, then past, to win in the last two strokes. Cambridge appealed, but the result was confirmed.

Single sculler Alan Campbell broke Vaclav Chalupa's 20 year-old Barrier record to set what promises to be an epic Diamonds competition off to a fine start. Half an hour later triple world champion Mahe Drysdale tried to match him, falling short by a second.

Olympic champion Olaf Tufte was slower while defeating Colombian lightweight Roberto Ideus, but complained that he had not known a record attempt was being made.

Meanwhile New Zealand lightweight world champion Duncan Grant beat British sculler Ian Lawson. South Africans Ramon di Clemente and Shaun Keeling, holders of the Goblets pairs trophy, failed narrowly to crack Steve Redgrave and Matthew Pinsent's 16-year-old Barrier record.

Peter Reed and Andy Triggs Hodge were slower to the same point, but had already dropped to a paddle against two much less experienced Americans.

Molesey's Ladies' Plate eight, including several former internationals, lost to the best MIT crew for many years by a third of a length.

Sir William Borlase's junior quad were left with a 'not rowed out' verdict: they were already nearly a length down on Westminster and Thames when they hit the course-edge booms near the end.

A fine Latymer Upper crew put Radley College out of the Princess Elizabeth Cup for school eights, opening up a clear-water lead early on. Latymer now meet Brunswick School, who sent home fellow Americans Gonzaga College.

Eton had a serene win against Hampton, but any record-breaking efforts were hampered by a headwind, and Hampton clashing oars with them near the start.

Princeton equalled the Temple Cup Barrier record while beating Newcastle University. Brown University's freshmen won a barnstormer against Queen's Belfast.