News

Derby draw in clash of oars

(11 May 2005)

Durham University rowers took on their oldest established sporting rivals in the region, Newcastle University on Sunday 8 May 2005 in the ninth Northumbrian Water University Boat Race on the Tyne.

To date, Durham claimed the overall event trophy in each of the previous six events (bad weather forced the cancellation of the 2000 and 2003 races), and last year they powered to victory in all four of the headline events.

Thousands of spectators turned out to see Newcastle University's rowers making history this year by claiming victory by a mere six inches in a nailbiting climax to the afternoon events, in the Men's Senior VIIIs race for the first time since the event began in 1996.

In the first University race of the afternoon, Newcastle's novice women's crew were leading when the Durham boat's rudder broke as the race reached the Tyne Bridge.

The Men's novice race followed with Durham being awarded the victory by a quarter of a length. The Newcastle crew were subsequently disqualified for erratic steering near the Swing Bridge.

The most convincing win of the afternoon belonged to Durham's Senior Women, storming to victory by a good 12 lengths over Newcastle.

The Senior Men's VIIIs race got off to a dramatic start, when the Durham boat struck debris and began sinking by the stern, forcing a restart in their second boat.

With the race finally underway, it was neck and neck from the start. As the crews crossed the line, there was virtually nothing between them. A photo-finish, followed by a steward’s enquiry, handed a fantastic first victory to Newcastle.

The result of the Senior Men's event ensured that both crews had two victories each which made the overall event a tie, also for the first time in its history.

Chairman of the Boat Race organising committee, Graham Rayner, said: 'My congratulations to all the rowers for taking part. It was a really exciting set of races, and it is especially good to see the Newcastle rowers' hard work finally paying off'.

The final results were:

Novice Women's VIII (The Taylor Trophy): Newcastle University (Durham retired with a broken rudder)

Novice Men's VIII (The Renforth Trophy): Durham University won by quarter of a length (Newcastle later disqualified)

Women's VIII (The Chambers Trophy): Durham University won by 12 lengths

Men's VIII (The Clasper Trophy): Newcastle won after a photo finish