Oxford claim Varsity hat-trick

Oxford's Nicholas Marsh breaks past Ali Newmarch

Oxford 9-6 Cambridge

Oxford notched up their third successive Varsity victory over Cambridge on Tuesday at Twickenham, thanks to three penalties from fly-half Seb Fitzgerald.

In the first try-less match since 1981, Cambridge hit back with two penalties of their own through Pat Howard.

But with neither side managing to impose themselves in a largely disappointing match, Oxford held on to claim the MMC Trophy.

It was aggresive but however you do it you've just got to win these games

Seb FitzGerald

The dark blues started well, applying good pressure to allow Fitzgerald to push his side into an early lead with a fifth minute penalty.

Always a confrontational fixture, it did not take long for both packs to square up to each other.

But referee Steve Lander dealt swiftly with the interruption to allow Cambridge to level through the boot of Howard.

With Oxford in the ascendancy, Cambridge struggled to gain any meaningful possession.

And midway through the opening half, FitzGerald again gave the Oxford fans something to cheer with a beautifully struck second penalty.

Minutes later, he extended the lead to six points, after Lander again penalised Cambridge - this time in front of their posts.

Duncan Blaikie of Cambridge attempts to stop Brett Robinson

At 9-3 up with 24 minutes gone, the Oxford pack looked to have gained the upper hand.

But then came a searing run from James Baker down the left hand touchline, which visibly gave Cambridge more confidence.

As half-time approached, the error count increased markedly and despite some good possession, Cambridge were unable to break through some solid Oxford defending.

Oxford clearly looked the hungrier at the start of the second period.

And after some good work from the pack, FitzGerald missed a straightforward opportunity when his attempted drop-goal from in front of the posts drifted marginally wide.

Again Cambridge struggled to get hold of any possession, but with Oxford refusing to throw the ball out wide, neither side looked likely to grab the game's opening try.

After 65 minutes and no second-half points, a scoring opportunity eventually arrived - albeit another penalty - when Sam Adlen was caught holding on to the ball on the floor.

Howard slotted his second kick of the game to bring the deficit back within three points - no less than Cambridge deserved.

We dominated possession and I couldn't be happier - this is one of the greatest moments of my rugby life.

Brett Robinson,
Oxford captain

With the game so delicately poised, it almost seemed appropriate when Lander gave Cambridge an opportunity to draw level from the left hand touchline.

But this time Howard's kick drifted agonisingly to the right of the posts.

The light blues pushed Oxford during the closing minutes, thanks to some impressive line kicking from Howard.

But they failed to convert pressure into points and when the whistle blew it signalled yet another year of misery for Cambridge - with three losses in as many years against the dark blues.

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Oxford University: N Marsh (Magdalen); W Rubie (Brasenose), L Sherriff (St Anne's), S Adlen (Jesus), W Ellerby (St Hugh's); S FitzGerald (Balliol), D Taberner (Worcester); K Tkachuk (Kellogg), P Nicholas (Brasenose), R Lehner (Kellogg), A Russell (Magdalen), C Edwards (Balliol), S Miall (Pembroke), J Bolger (St Peter's), B Robinson (Wadham, capt).
Replacements: O Julyan (Keble), H Nwume (University), E Hallett (Brasenose), F Gemmell (St Catherine's), A Nishioka (Oriel), S Fuchigami (Mansfield), T Robinson (Oriel).

Cambridge University: A Newmarch (St Edmund's); S Moffat (St Edmund's), S Adams (Fitzwilliam), M Rivaro (Hughes Hall), J Baker (Hughes Hall); S Howard (St Edmund's), M Chapman-Smith (Hughes Hall); A O'Brien (St Edmund's), C Collins (Wolfson), D Brett (Trinity Hall), A Innes (Hughes Hall), E Mallett (St Edmund's), M Graham (King's), D Blaikie (Hughes Hall), M Count (Jesus, capt).
Replacements: S Amor (St Edmund's), C Derksen (Hughes Hall), M Edwards (Hughes Hall), J Johnson (St John's), M Purdy (Fitzwilliam), T Blathwayt (St John's), J Meredith (Hughes Hall).

Referee: Steve Lander (Rugby Football Union).