Thanks to Melanie Reed.

Conditions: Newcastle University's rowers snatched an historic victory in the Men's Senior VIIIs race this afternoon, claiming honours for the first time since the event began in 1996.

The Senior Men's VIII pulled off a momentous victory against their Durham counterparts when they won the headline race in the 2005 Northumbrian Water University Boat Race by a mere quarter of a length, in a nailbiting climax to the afternoon's events.

The Senior Men's event was the second victory of the afternoon for Newcastle, who also won the Novice Women's VIIIs, making the overall event a tie, also for the first time in its history.

In the first University race of the afternoon, Newcastle's novice women's crew were leading when the Durham boat's rudder broke as the race reached the Tyne Bridge.

The Men's novice race which followed provided one of the closest finishes of the afternoon, with Durham being awarded the victory by a mere quarter of a length. Newcastle were subsequently disqualified for erratic steering near the Swing Bridge.

The most convincing win of the afternoon belonged to Durham's Senior Women, who stormed to victory by a good 12 lengths over Newcastle.

The Senior Men's VIIIs race got off to a dramatic start, when the Durham boat struck debris and began sinking by the stern, forcing a restart in their second boat. With the race finally underway, it was neck and neck from the start. As the crews crossed the line, there was virtually nothing between them. A photo-finish, followed by a stewards enquiry, handed a fantastic first victory to Newcastle, to the delight of the thousands of spectators lining the banks of the Tyne.

Chairman of the Boat Race Executive Committee, Graham Rayner, said: 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.

'My congratulations to all the rowers for taking part. It was a really exciting set of races, and it is especially good to see the Newcastle rowers' hard work finally paying off'.

Results

School's VIIIs: Durham St Leonard's school won by four lengths Novice Women's VIII (The Taylor Trophy): Newcastle University (Durham retired with a broken rudder) Novice Men's VIII (The Renforth Trophy): Durham University won by quarter of a length (Newcastle later disqualified) Women's VIII (The Chambers Trophy): Durham University won by 12 lengths Men's VIII (The Clasper Trophy): Newcastle won after a photo finish In the other competitive events of the afternoon, Newcastle University Sailing Club won the dinghy sailing event and the canoe polo competition, in which the teams were competing for the Byzak trophy, was a tie, one game all.