By Michael Knox OXFORD University came back from the dead to record their first success at Twickenham for six years yesterday.

Trailing 13-3 at half-time, the Dark Blues stormed back to win 16-13 and so avoid setting a record losing sequence in the historic 118 University Match series.

The biggest smile of the day belonged to Oxford coach Steve Hill, who was savouring his first Varsity Match victory - at his fourth attempt.

"I'm delighted,' said Hill. "It's tremendous to have won it in that fashion after being 13-3 down at half-time - although it's not good for the heart.

"All credit to the entire side - they believed in each other for the whole year. That belief kept them going in a very difficult second 40 minutes.

When the final whistle went, Hill rushed on to the field to hug his captain Norman Celliers.

"All credit to Norman," he said. "He's led us superbly on and off the field. That shone through today." Even at half-time, Celliers believed his side could finish on top. "I had the feeling we could win if we could play it upfront and dominate with our forwards and not make mistakes," said the captain.

"For me and the coaching staff, it's been a satisfying term, with a great victory at the end to round it off. I feel very privileged to be part of it."

Cambridge skipper Angus Innes paid tribute to his opposite number. "Norman played superbly. He's a fantastic ambassador for Oxford and deserves the win."

The winning try came from 20-year-old undergraduate Luke Sherriff. "I was the lucky one - all the other guys just pushed me over," he said.

Oxford's gamble of playing Old Etonian Toby Beer out of position on the right wing because of his goalkicking prowess paid dividends.

"Toby did exceptionally well," said Celliers. "He kept us in the game with two crucial penalties. So in the end, it was possible to score one try and win it."

Beer showed that it's not just wars that are won on the playing fields of Eton!

THIS was Oxford's 49th win in the series. Cambridge have won 56 and there have been 13 draws.

OXFORD also came from behind to win the Under 21s University Match, which was played at Twickenham for the first time.

The Dark Blues, who trailed 10-3, won 15-13 thanks to tries from full back Moffatt and right wing Knowles, plus a penalty and conversion from Henry Tarr.

Story date: Wednesday 08 December

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.