Oxford University rugby officials were left fuming after Harlequins cried off their match against the Dark Blues at Iffley Road tonight.

The name may conjure up fame and history but in this Millennium season, the famous Quins cannot field sufficient players to fulfil the fixture.

The professional Premiership outfit cancelled the fixture at 9pm last night, after being able to field only eight players.

Steve Hill, the University's director of coaching, was annoyed. "We are extremely disappointed that the Quins have not seen fit to honour the fixture," he said.

"For a club of this stature not to be able to field a side for a midweek game is disgraceful.

"Being so close to the Varsity Match (which will be at Twickenham on Tuesday December 12), we have tried to find alternative opposition, but with short notice, we have been unsuccessful." This is a great disappointment for Oxford, who had been hoping to extend their superb run to eight victories on the trot their best start to a domestic season for many years.

Oxford's next game is their prestige match against Major Stanley's XV at Iffley Road next Wednesday.

The only consolation in the cancellation is that it will give the Blues time for their long injury list to shorten.

The latest casualty is flanker Ed Hallett, who has damaged knee medial ligaments and will be out for a month.