Rowers trying out for the annual Oxford-Cambridge boat race were spotted thrashing it out by Hammersmith Bridge this week.

Oxford were the first to take to the water on a sunny Tuesday (December 10) afternoon, with just three returning blues in the two crews, named Per Mare and Per Terram.

New president Constantine Louloudis and Sam O’Connor were in the Per Terram boat while Michael DiSanto sat in Per Mare.

The competitiveness was just as high as it will be in next summer’s race, with both boats given warning by umpire Boris Rankov.

As the two crews pushed through past the famous Harrods Depository Per Mare was leading by a 1/4 length but by Hammersmith Bridge it was too close to call, as can be seen in the picture.

About 20 people, including members of the public were cheering them on from the bridge.

The two Oxford crews were just as competitive as they will be on race day

Underneath the bridge they were close to clashing but Per Terram managed to push past as they approached Barnes Bridge to finish two lengths ahead at Mortlake.

Cambridge set off an hour after their dark blue opposition, with choppier conditions for the two boats named 63 and Not Out in memory of Australian cricketer Philip Hughes who died recently after a bouncer hit him in the head.

The two light blue crews had double the returning rowers Oxford did, with president Alex Leichter, Henry Hoffstot andJosh Hooper in Not Out and Luke Juckett, Matt Jackson and Ian Middleton in 63.

Both crews were fairly even until the Harrods Depository and at Hammersmith Bridge there were warnings from the umpire but Not Out managed to push ahead by a 1/4 length and then even more to lead by a length at Chiswick Eyot, eventually winning by two lengths.

A statement on the boat race’s website said: “Both Trial VIIIs races showed squads with a great deal of strength, prepared to duke it out in challenging conditions. This can only bode well for a great BNY Mellon Boat Race on 11th April 2015.”

The umpire and officials followed the two Oxford crews intently

Oxford won this summer's boat race by 11 lengths, bringing them closer to taking over Cambridge who are currently leading 81-78.