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Universities go head-to-head in row

Student rowers from Durham and Newcastle universities are preparing to go head-to-head this weekend in the 10th Northumbrian Water Universities Boat Race on 7 May. The race on the River Tyne consists of four races: Seniors and Freshers for Men and Women - together with Dragon Boat races, canoe events and schools rowing. The Durham team will enter the race with confidence fresh from a national win over their local rivals in the British Universities Rowing Regatta. The Durham University Boat Club (DUBC) was the runaway winner of the three-day national event with a stratospheric score of 1204 points - way ahead of London’s Imperial College in second place with 494. Newcastle came fifth in the competition which involved about 50 universities in rowing Eights, Fours and other crews. It follows the earlier DUBC success by the men and women’s senior Eights who were the top university crews in this year’s Head of the River Race on the Thames. Last year’s contest was tied at two races each, but it was Newcastle’s first win in the Men’s Senior Eight. DUBC President Phil Evans said: “Durham is set on keeping up a successful run this season. They are going to be good races.” Newcastle President Henry Pelly said: “We have been working hard towards improving our performance for several years now, and the work is finally beginning to pay off. After having had a taste of victory last year, we are determined to give Durham a really hard fight.“The programme begins at 10.15am on Sunday morning (7 May), with the first of the university races, the Women Freshers at 12.15. The races are held on the Tyne beneath the famous bridges, and draw large crowds on the Quayside.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .