ANDY Hodge is set to play a key role in the Oxford Blue Boat following this week's announcement of the crews for the annual boat race.

The Hebden rower has been pencilled in as the likely strokeman for Oxford for the race on March 27.

The former Upper Wharfedale School pupil was in that position as Oxford began their build up to the big race with two victories over a combined Dutch-American eight last Sunday.

Sitting near the stern of the boat opposite the cox, the strokeman is the rower who communicates with the cox and plays a key part in setting the rhythm for the rest of the crew.

"I'm very pleased to be sitting there. It's an important seat," said Hodge, who is competing in his first boat race after joining Oxford to study for a masters degree last year.

With both teams including several Olympic internationals, a high quality race is expected as Oxford seek to gain revenge for Cambridge's win last year.

Some commentators are already predicting that the 151st boat race will be the best ever. Only two of the 16 rowers and two coxes on both sides have not already represented their country at under-23 or senior level.

Included in Oxford's crew is Canadian Barney Williams, who was so narrowly beaten by the Matthew Pinsent four at last summer's Olympics in Athens.

Hodge, aged 25, said: "The competition is abnormally high. There will be no stone left unturned in seeking to get the best out of the team."