Durham upset the form book to retain grip on Boat Race title
7th May 2006Durham's senior men's eight upset the form book to claim honours in the tenth anniversary Northumbrian Water University Boat Race today (Sunday 7 May).
Newcastle's rowers had entered the competition as firm favourites after a recent run of excellent form, but Durham, rowing on the Newcastle station, got off to a strong start, giving their crew, which included three international rowers, a seemingly unassailable two length advantage from the early stages of the race.
By mid-way, Newcastle's rowers had made up some ground, but their late surge towards the finish line was not enough to catch their rivals, with Durham eventually winning by 7 seconds (two lengths).
A delighted Phil Evans, President of Durham University Boat Club, who rowed with the winning eight, said: 'Newcastle were a bit of an unknown factor, but we were confident that we had the speed. We wanted to get ahead at an early stage so that we could push forward and absorb their pressure every time we saw them coming, and everything went exactly to plan'.
Newcastle University Boat Club President, Henry Pelly, said: 'We didn't start very well, and we just never managed to get back. We are all really disappointed'.
The most convincing win of the afternoon belonged to Durham's senior women, who stormed to a five length victory over an under-strength Newcastle eight.
Some Newcastle pride was regained by Newcastle freshmen, with a two and a quarter length (10 second) victory, while in the Freshwomen's event, Durham completed their hat-trick of wins with a one and three-quarter length win over Newcastle.
Chairman of the Boat Race Executive Committee, Graham Rayner, said: 'We are genuinely building the success of the Boat Race year on year, and today's event has been no exception. As ever, the spectacle has attracted a great deal of support from the public, and fortunately, the crowds seem to have been undeterred by the poor weather forecast.
'The senior men's result did come as a surprise after the progress that has been made by Newcastle University Boat Club. Both universities made Newcastle the favourites going in to the race. We don't know what happened, and it's too soon to speculate until we have a chance to speak to the rowers and their coach', he added.
John Cuthbert, Managing Director of event sponsor, Northumbrian Water, said: 'This has been another excellent day. It is clear that the gap between the two universities is narrowing. The results are getting closer and more exciting each year, and look set to continue to do so in the future.'
The final results, confirmed by Finish Umpire, Roger Stainforth, were:
Schools’ Eights (The Scholars’ Trophy, sponsored by Gateshead Council):
Durham St Leonard's School mixed eight, won by four seconds (one length)
Freshwomen's Eights (The Taylor Trophy, sponsored by Northumbrian Water):
Durham University won by seven seconds (one and three-quarter lengths)
Freshmen's Eights: (The Renforth Trophy, sponsored by the Environment Agency):
Newcastle won by 10 seconds (two and a quarter lengths)
Women's VIII (The Chambers Trophy, sponsored by The Journal):
Durham won by 17 seconds (five lengths)
Men's VIII (The Clasper Trophy, sponsored by Northumbrian Water):
Durham won by seven seconds (two lengths)
In the other competitive events of the afternoon, the afternoon belonged to Newcastle's athletes, who claimed victory in every event, with wins for the dinghy sailing team, and a resounding 5 goals to nil victory in the canoe polo competition, in which the teams were competing for the Byzak Trophy.
Newcastle University's canoeists also won the canoe sprint races, with their relay team Mark Pooleman, Darren Broderick and GB Wild Water Racer, Jamie Oughton.