THE ninth annual meeting of the North-East's own university boat race produced a dramatic finish yesterday.

Newcastle University snatched a victory over their rivals from Durham - winning the senior event at the Northumbrian Water University Boat Race for the first time in nine attempts, with only inches to spare.

In a nailbiting climax to an afternoon's racing, watched by thousands lining the banks of the Tyne, the senior men's VIII race got off to a dramatic start when the Durham boat struck debris and began sinking at the stern, forcing a restart in their second boat.

With the race finally under way, it was neck and neck from the start and only a photo-finish, followed by a stewards' inquiry, could separate the crews and give victory to Newcastle.

Chairman of the Boat Race Executive Committee, Graham Rayner, said: "This has undoubtedly been the best boat race yet.

"The diversity of the event is increasing with each successive year, with the inclusion this year of the competitive canoe polo match, and the dinghy sailing competition adding a new dimension."

In the other races, Durham St Leonard's won the Schools' VIII race; Newcastle won the Novice Women's VIII after Durham's rudder broke; Durham won the Novice Men's VIII by a quarter of a length, although the Newcastle boat was later disqualified for erratic steering; while in the women's senior event Durham won The Chambers Trophy by 12 lengths.

Newcastle University Sailing Club won the dinghy sailing event and the canoe polo competition, for the Byzak trophy, was a tie, one game all.