A performance of immense character gave Oxford University their fifth successive win at Bristol last night - their best start in 15 years.
Come the Varsity match on December 12, Oxford coach Steve Hill may well look back and say this was the game that seasoned and conditioned his squad.
Fielding five first team players and one Great Britain rugby league international, Bristol subjected the University to their toughest test yet in wet and windy conditions.
The University, without their three injured forwards - Ray Lehner, Simon Miall and Adam Russell - opened the scoring in the fifth minute when fly-half Seb FitzGerald kicked a 22-metre penalty.
The forwards took centre stage and it produced a stalemate until just before half-time when Fitzgerald kicked another penalty.
Two minutes into the second half, Bristol winger Hugo Southwell broke from halfway and raced 50 metres for an unconverted try.
With their backs to the wall, the Dark Blues defended heroically, until in injury time when right wing Brett Hopcroft intercepted a pass and raced 50 metres for an unconverted try.
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