Oxford University’s lightweight rowers just failed to beat a crew comprising four Olympians in a special race at Henley.

Keir MacDonald, Maximillen Von Berg, Kristopher Blake and Benjamin Bronselaer took to the water to take on a high-profile team put together by Olympic gold medallist James Cracknell.

The third year students at Oxford raced the Monsters University Rowing Team of Mark Hunter, Zac Purchase, Adam-Freeman Pask and Chris Bartley in a one-off race to celebrate DisneyPixar’s film release of the same name today. Despite training hard, the Oxford boat were unable to claim victory, but know it was an experience to savour.

“Racing against the Monsters University team of Team GB rowers was big deal for us Oxford boys, said Bronselaer.

“Even if it wasn’t the result we wanted, we’ll keep doing what we do best and hopefully we’ll get a chance to go up against rowers of their calibre again.”

Walpole added: “All the lads loved taking on Team GB. I don’t think there are many student rowers out there who would mind admitting that they lost to Team GB.

“Maybe next time we’ll give them a taste of their own medicine.”