Oxford beat Cambridge in women's Boat Race 2015

Oxford beat Cambridge to win the historic first staging of the Women's Boat Race on the same course and same day as the men.

They finished well clear of their rivals in London on Saturday.

It was a seventh success in eight years for Oxford in the women's contest first held in 1927.

Each of those previous victories were on a straight 2000m course rather than over a a 4.2-mile course on the River Thames.

It was double joy for Oxford as the men's crew also won their Boat Race to claim a fourth victory in five years by beating Cambridge comfortably.

What is the university Boat Race?

It's a competition between the rowing teams of the UK's two oldest universities, Oxford and Cambridge.

It's held on a 4.2-mile course on the River Thames in London from Putney Bridge to Chiswick Bridge.

The first race, with only men's teams taking part, was in 1829 and it's been held every year since 1856, except during the First and Second World Wars.

The first women's race was in 1927, but used to be rowed on rivers in Oxford or Cambridge.

Rivalry

It's a big point of rivalry for the two universities, but Cambridge are on top.

In the men's race Cambridge have won 81 times and Oxford 79.

In the women's race Cambridge have won 41 times and Oxford 29.