TWO teams of novice rowers are to compete for the honours in a North-East women's boat race.

Sixteen woman freshers - first year students - from Durham and Newcastle Universities came face to face in Baltic Square, on Tyneside, yesterday to promote this year's Northumbrian Water University Boat Race.

The event, to be held a week on Sunday, includes the first clash between the novice women's eights from each university.

Boat race executive committee chairman Graham Rayner said: "The addition of the novice women's race gives the event a new dimension.

"Both university boat clubs have campaigned for the inclusion of a novice women's eights race for a number of years, which is an indication of just how much importance they attach to this event in their annual rowing calendar."

Newcastle University Boat Club president Susie Nicholas yesterday challenged Durham's president Katie Oven with the offer and acceptance of a ceremonial oar.

Northumbrian Water communications manager Alistair Baker said: "The boat race is as much a celebration of the success of Northumbrian Water's clean-up of the River Tyne as it is a sporting event."

After the disappointment of the last-minute cancellation of last year's race due to dangerous conditions on the water, expectations are running high in both camps.

Ms Baker said: "Newcastle's rowers have had to wait two years for the chance to try to set the record straight with their Durham rivals. They are really fired up for a showdown, so I think we are in for a great spectacle when they take to the Tyne."