Oxford beat Cambridge to win ninth consecutive Varsity match

Oxford claimed their ninth successive victory in this fixture but they were made to work hard for their win in one of the most competitive Varsity Matches in years.

Going into the final quarter just two points separated the teams but a final flurry by the Dark Blues saw them rattle up 16 points without reply to seal the contest.

Wet conditions made handling difficult and both sides put in sterling defensive efforts but the superior kicking game of Oxford gave them a distinct edge. The Cambridge defence was tested in the opening five minutes and held firm but then they lost possession deep in their own half and their opponents took full advantage with a try from John Wylde.

Midway through the half the game was held up for 15 minutes when two Oxford players were injured in a clash of heads. On the resumption Cambridge launched their first attack but could not find a way through a stern Dark Blues defence.

Oxford went further ahead when Will Taverner crossed in the corner following a scrum which Cambridge were convinced should have been their put in. Just before the interval Oxford were reduced to 12 after wing Louis Claxton had been shown a yellow card for an attempted trip.

Still, at 8-0 the Light Blues were still in the contest although they were unable to take advantage of their numerical superiority. But after interval they enjoyed their best period of pressure and it took a terrific try-saving tackle from Marco Hiscox to deny them.

The Oxford defence was finally breeched when a speculative kick to the line was eventually touched down by Will Birch. George Griffiths converted to make it 8-6 and the real possibility of an upset was on the cards.

But this was as close as they got. Oxford stepped up their game and ran in tries through Hiscox, Nick Dodds and Mark Giza with Conor Williets converting two to wrap up the contest.

Oxford prop Phil Maffettone was named man of the match for a sterling effort up front. It was a fitting end to the American’s final year at Oxford having missed out on a Blue last year due to sustaining a broken leg the week before the Varsity Match.

Teams

Oxford: Conor Williets; Louis Claxton, Maciek Peplinski, Will Taverner, John Wylde;  Mark Roper, Nick Dodds; Sven Kerneis, Angus McCance, Phil Maffettone, Marco Hiscox, Will Henshall (capt), Mark Giza. Interchange: Reilly Knight, Alex Pentecost, Ed Harris, Jordan Ayling, Harry Martin, Matt Wilson

Tries: Wylde, Taverner, Hiscox, Dodds, Giza Goals: Williets 2

Cambridge: Craig Winfield; Oliver Gnodde, Matt Brady, Sam Parker (capt), Casper Ramsay; Richard Bowen, Will Birch; Caleb Darwin, Sam Henry-Pressling, Tom Wilson, Miles Huppatz, George Griffiths, Matyas Molnar. Interchange: Henry Biddlecombe, Gerard Lyons, Tom Bewes, Hilary Foord, Jorge Albert

Tries: Birch Goal: Griffiths

Referee: Liam Rush