The victorious Oxford Boat Race crew had a choppy end to the day of their win when thieves broke into their minibus.

A rucksack and a red cotton bag containing seven of the crew’s belongings were taken from the blue Ford, which was parked at the Quintin Boat Club in Chiswick, West London, during Sunday’s race. Watches, cash, credit cards and iPods were among the items taken.

Coach Sean Bowden said: “If we had lost it would have a bitter blow.”