UNIVERSITY rugby players have gone head to head in a charity derby.

The matches between Durham and Northumbria Universities was in aid of Sport in Action in Zambia.

The double-header at the Hollow Drift ground, in Durham, attracted a crowd of more than 3,000 people, who watched Durham's men beat Northumbria 48-7 and Durham's women win 44-12.

Man of the match was Durham’s England Sevens star Charlie Spawforth.

A total of £5,571.89 was raised for a Sports in Action project which helps street children, providing food, medicines, toiletries and education.

Mark Brian, head of sport at Durham University, said: “Our students are passionate about their rugby and about helping those less fortunate than themselves.

“Both the men’s and women’s matches were great to watch, and it’s fantastic that so much money was raised for such a great cause."

"We’ve raised £203,000 over the last eleven years and we know that this makes a real difference to young people.”