Record win for Oxford

In the 133rd Varsity Match this week, Oxford recorded their biggest-ever win over Cambridge, beating the Light Blues 43-6. In fact it was the biggest victory ever in the match that dates back to 1872.

This was also the first time that Oxford have won five consecutive Varsity matches, some thing Cambridge had done twice – in 1972-76 and 1980-84. Oxford scored six tries to none.

It also meant that loosehead prop Lewis Anderson became the first player ever to have played in the winning side for five successive Varsity Matches.

It was a good day for Oxford at Twickenham.

But it started in sombre fashion as the two universities honoured the 55 Blues who lost their lives in the horror of World War I. The wreath-laying and the mournful sound of the Last Post told of sadness and regard.

The 55 who died came from 25 schools and 22 of those schools had representatives at the moving ceremony.

Cambridge started well enough, dominating possession and territory and came close to scoring when their South African flyhalf, Don Stevens, dummied to kick and ran. But it was Oxford who scored first – a brilliant try by Sam Egerton from inside his own half when the Oxford forwards won a turnover at a ruck. George Cullen converted.

Stevens, who hails from Grey Bloem and Stellenbosch where he was a scrumhalf, goaled a penalty. Cullen did likewise and Stevens repeated to make the score 10-6 just before half-time when Zander Macdonald, the son of Dugald, burst over for a try and Oxford went into the break leading 17-6.

Early in the second half Stevens was injured, as he had been in the same match in 2013, and taken off.

Cambridge did not score in the second half as Oxford piled on four tries.

Oxford eschewed a kick at goal but were rewarded when lock Tom Reeson Price scored. 22-6. Prop Ian Williams powered over from close quarters to make it 29-6.

For the fifth try, Egerton broke when Cambridge were attacking and made a try for Cullen. 36-6. Then Oxford went through phases, Macdonald offloaded cleverly and flank Gus Jones scored.

Scorers:

For Oxford:

Tries: Egerton, Macdonald, Reeson Price, Williams, Cullen, Jones

Cons: Cullen 5

Pen: Cullen

For Cambridge:

Pens: Stevens 2

Teams

Oxford: 15 Jacob Taylor (captain), 14 Edward Doe, 13 Matt Janney (Oriel), 12 Zander Macdonald, 11 Henry Lamont, 10 George Cullen, 9 Sam Egerton, 8 George Messum, 7 Gus Jones, 6 Fraser Heathcote, 5 Tom Reeson Price, 4 Fergus Taylor, 3 Ian Williams, 2 Nick Gardner, 1 Lewis Anderson

Replacements: 16 James Wisson, 17 James Scaife, 18 Guy Western, 19 Graeme MacGilchrist, 20 Will Thomas, 21 Henry de Berker, 22 Henry Hughes, 23 Basil Strang

Cambridge: 15 Sam Allen, 14 Ilia Cherezov, 13 Toby May, 12 Fraser Gillies, 11 George Smith, 10 Don Stevens, 9 Henry Peck (captain), 8 Sam Farmer, 7 Hugo Kelly, 6 Richard Bartholomew, 5 Rob Hall; 4 Jack Baker, 3 Jacob Poulton, 2 Tom Pascoe, 1 Will Briggs.

Replacements: 16 Max Montgomery, 17 Oliver Exton, 18 Frank Sanders, 19 Charlie O'Sullivan, 20 Daniel Dass, 21 Seb Tullie, 22 John Wylde, 23 Andy Rees.

Referee: Luke Pearce (England)