The Boat Race 1890

[9] The Light Blues began their practice on 9 January, nearly two weeks ahead of Oxford, but it was not until 4 March that Cambridge persuaded James Cardwell Gardner to return as stroke.

They improved and were considered by author and former Oxford rower George Drinkwater to be "by no means a bad crew, though deficient in length and watermanship".

Oxford's crew contained five rowers with experience of the event, including W. F. C. Holland in his fourth race, along with the cox John Pemberton Heywood-Lonsdale who had steered the Dark Blues in 1889.

[12] Cambridge were considered slight favourites for the race,[15] and won the toss and elected to start from the Surrey station, handing the Middlesex side of the river to Oxford.

[15] By Hammersmith Bridge, the lead was half-a-length but the wind appeared to affect Oxford and by The Doves pub, Cambridge were nearly clear.