THE team of 1969 will gather back in Durham later this week to mark the 50th anniversary of a famous university sporting triumph.

Durham became national universities’ UAU rugby union champions for the fourth of 11 times in their history with a narrow win over regional rivals Newcastle on ‘neutral’ turf at Sunderland’s Ashbrooke ground, in March, 1969.

The team included future England player, full-back Peter Rossborough, one of the Durham scorers in the final.

He was one of three Bede College players in the Durham XV, mostly made up with Hatfield College players.

Fellow Old Bedan, winger Robert ‘Bob’ Payne, is behind Friday’s 50th anniversary reunion, to be staged, fittingly, at the function room at Hatfield College.

He is delighted that 24 former players or partners have taken up the invitation, including Mr Rossborough, who went on to become president of his hometown club, Coventry.

Many return after the success of a 40th anniversary reunion in 2009.