RUGBY - Varsity Match 2010-11

Thursday 9 December 2010

Despite going into the game as slight underdogs, Oxford produced a powerful first-half performance that was enough to capture the 129th Varsity Match trophy.

The game started at a frenetic pace with both sides going hell for leather to gain an early advantage. Oxford made the brighter start and fly-half Charlie Marr punished an early Cambridge infringement to open the scoring. Shortly after, a neat inside ball from Oxford captain Nick Haydon proceeded to open up the Cambridge defence. The ball was quickly recycled and Alex Cheesman touched down for the first try of the game.

Oxford were in the ascendancy and it wasn’t long before Cheesman broke through another tackle and sent full-back James Crozier in to stretch the lead to 15-0.

The Light Blues came out in the second half with a massive point to prove and before long their dominance in the scrum brought them back into the game. After the Oxford pack were repeatedly penalised as they retreated towards their own line, the referee was forced to award a penalty try, bringing the score to 15-10 to Oxford.

Just as it looked like Cambridge might capitalise on their set piece dominance, an unnecessary Cambridge infringement gave Oxford’s Charlie Marr the chance to release some pressure by slotting another 3 points.

As Cambridge forced the game they made a number of uncharacteristic errors that have been rarely witnessed at Grange Road this season. Oxford controlled the game well in the dying stages and a late penalty from Marr sealed Oxford’s victory.

Oxford 21 : 10 Cambridge