Cambridge's coaches were Harald Peake (who had participated in the Peace Regattas of 1919), G. L. Thomson and David Alexander Wauchope (who had rowed in the 1895 race).

[11] Cambridge's crew included three rowers who had represented the university in the previous year's race: K. N. Craig, B. G. Ivory and David Collet.

[12] Oxford won the toss and elected to start from the Surrey station, handing the Middlesex side of the river to Cambridge.

Despite this, Oxford had drawn level a minute later, to hold a small lead by the time the crews commenced the long bend.

By the Mile Post, the Dark Blues held a quarter-length lead and by Hammersmith Bridge had extended this to three-quarters of a length.

With the bend in the river in their favour, and pushing hard, Cambridge slowly gained on the Dark Blues but could not level terms.