For the second year running, Oxford University produced their best performance of the season to record an excellent 28-10 victory at Twickenham.

Having frequently struggled in their build-up games, the Dark Blues came on strong in the second half to claim the 130th match between the universities.

Oxford’s biggest win since 1988 was orchestrated by fly half Tom Mitchell and the inventive running of wing Sean Morris, but underpinned by a pack that got stronger as the match went on.

Captain John Carter emerged as a real warrior, having played much of the game with his left eye virtually closed up, but this seemed to spur him on to some ferocious tackling.

Lock Karl Outen was named man-of-the-match and was the first recipient of the Alastair Hignell Medal, presented in honour of the double Cambridge Blue.

Cambridge’s front-row problems meant they had prop Hugo Cobb, who started the under 21 match earlier in the day, on the bench.

Nigel Conroy, their original choice at hooker, was ruled ineligible as his course didn’t meet Varsity Match rules, so Mark Murdoch started and Rupert Cowan became his replacement.

Prop Frank Sanders was due to be on the bench, but suffered a broken foot, with Cobb replacing him.

Oxford, however, were able to field the 23 they named at the official announcement.

The game began in wet and windy conditions, but a great driving maul set up a penalty chance for Cambridge, which fly half Steve Townend slotted on three minutes.

Oxford hit back almost immediately, with Carter stealing a line-out, from which his side took advantage.

Both Mitchell and wing Cassian Bramham-Law played their part before tight-head prop Will Kane burrowed over from close range, Bramham-Law converting from out wide.

Play was certainly open, with Oxford just holding sway and they earned a penalty, which Bramham-Law converted after 16 minutes.

There was a moment of real drama on 22 minutes after Cambridge full back Tom O’Toole chipped and chased from his own half.

The ball bobbled towards the line, Cambridge scrum half Don Blake went for it, but couldn’t get the ball down and Oxford full back Jon Hudson just beat two attackers to concede a five-metre scrum.

However, from the resulting scrum, the Light Blues were awarded a penalty try after getting a good shove on. Townend converted this for 10-10.

Cambridge had the edge in the scrums, but there probably were not enough awarded for them to make this area count.

Bramham-Law kicked a second penalty to put Oxford 13-10 ahead on 30 minutes.

The game lacked much structure, but not entertainment and the odd dust-up as tempers frequently flared.

Having returned to the fray with a black eye after a punch from opposite number Dave Allen, Carter was penalised for a high tackle, prompting more scuffles.

One area where the Light Blues held sway was the maul and they shaded the penalty count, but Oxford led 13-10 at the break.

The second half began with a lengthy stoppage after an injury to Bramham-Law, but he was able to resume.

Right wing Morris gave them hope with a sharp break in midfield, forcing a close range line-out.

From here, they drove Outen over on 46 minutes to show the Dark Blues could maul effectively too.

Oxford now had an eight-point lead to defend, but it could have been more had Bramham-Law converted the try and a 51st-minute penalty, which he screwed wide.

Morris again probed on the left to great effect and Cambridge coughed up another penalty, with which Bramham-Law made no mistake.

Cambridge wing Rob Stevens ran his side into trouble and was turned over 15 metres out, but Oxford went for a Mitchell drop goal and his kick slipped wide.

Oxford flanker Derek Asbun showed great alertness to charge down a kick from Cambridge replacement Greg Cushing on 70 minutes.

The Light Blues were penalised, Oxford went for the scrum, and a slick move saw Mitchell burst through for the decisive try.

Replacement Matt Janney converted and at 28-10 it was game over.

There was still ten minutes to go, but that was characterised more by substitutions than action.

Cambridge did belatedly enter Oxford’s 22, but any score would have been a consolation.

Oxford University: Hudson, Morris, Perkins, Turner (H Guinness 74), Bramham-Law (Janney 65), Mitchell, Egerton (O'Donovan 78), Macdonald (Anderson 46), Oliver (Connor 72), Kane, Outen, Evans (Durward 68), Asbun, L Mather, Carter (capt) (Law 23-32 [blood].

Rep not used: Direen.

Cambridge University: O’Toole, Loudon, Guinness-King (capt), Cook (Thomas 65), Stevens, Townend (Cushing 65), Blake (Hunt 74), Briggs, Murdoch, Brown (Austin 74 & Cobb 79), Kururangi, Annett (Young 68), Martin, Malaney (Wolfe 72), Allen.

Rep not used: Cowan.

Referee: D Pearson (RFU).

Man-of-the-match: Outen.

Attendance: 27,255.