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Ben Smith and Olly Moore are combining again in the OxfordBlue boat

There are just three Britons in this year's Oxford crew - Nick Brodie, the president and former Blue, and new boys Ben Smith and Olly Moore - and all of them have strong Oxfordshire connections, writes Mike Rosewell.

Two of team, Brodie, from Abingdon School, and Smith, from St Edward's School, are locally born and bred.

In fact they were born within hours of each other at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital on August 6 and 7 1986.

Moore spent the first four years of his life in Bristol before he came to live in Burford and went to Radley College when he was 13.

The exploits of Brodie as Abingdon School's most successful cox have been well-documented.

His connection with Moore and Smith began at junior international level, where, on one occasion in 2003, they performed as cox, No 6 and No 3 in the Great Britain junior eight, the same positions they hold for the Boat Race tomorrow week.

So, what of the two new Blues?

Both Smith and Moore left school to go to Imperial College where they shared digs and rowed together, successfully for Great Britain's under 23s, and won in a four at Henley.

Moore also got a senior British vest last summer and finished fourth in the world championships.

Both are studying post-graduate MSc courses - Smith at Christ Church and Moore at Oriel.

Smith, who lives in Oxford, began his rowing at the Dragon School at the age of nine before he went on to Teddies, where, he admits, his enthusiasm was fostered, among others, by John Wiggins, the master in charge of rowing and the youngest ever Boat Race winner.

Moore came to rowing after breaking a leg and a failed shot-putting attempt at Radley.

He he was told: "you've got long arms, you should go down to the river." He did, and went on to achieve a junior world gold medal.

In spite of their long rowing careers, both are finding the Oxford rowing experience rather special.

"With the media general interest, it's the biggest event I've done," said Smith.

"Being in the Oxford crew for a local boy is pretty exciting. Potentially it could be my last big rowing event and it could be a good way to go out."

Moore agrees. "It's really very different from anything else", he said. "It's pretty full-time with training twice a day, work and finding time to rest."

He clearly likes the coaching system. "A lot of coaches will tell you what to do and don't explain the rationale behind it.

"It's easier when you are told why you are doing it. You come together better as a crew."

2:51pm Thursday 20th March 2008

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