By MICHAEL KNOX OXFORD could do without breaking records when they face Cambridge in the 118th University Match in front of a 50,000-plus crowd at Twickenham tomorrow.

Defeat for the Dark Blues would be an unprecedented sixth in a row in this historic fixture.

Twice before the last last 20 years, Oxford have been in this dilemma and emerged triumphant, most noticeably in 1985 when Neil Macdonald's XV pulled off a remarkable 7-6 triumph against a Cambridge side containing Gavin Hastings.

The first two defeats in the current sequence were unlucky, lost narrowly in controversial circumstances.

The last three games, while evenly contested, have seen the Light Blues, under Tony Rodgers, for whom tomorrow's contest will be his 20th as coach, gain deserved successes with more tactical awareness.

So the pressure is on Oxford's director of rugby, Steve Hill, and his team to deliver this time.

Another defeat might make even Cambridge supporters - heaven forbid - start rooting for Oxford. The gate, although likely to top a fanastic 50,000 again this year, has shown signs of slipping. Another Cambridge win might increase the slide.

Simply on results this term, Oxford would probably be favourites. Their performances against strong Racing Club Paris and Leicester sides were particularly encouraging.

But it's on the day that counts and in recent years, the Dark Blues have tended to freeze on the big occasion.

The Light Blues' target tomorrow will surely be to nullify the threat of scrum half Jamie Weston, who has been the outstanding Oxford player this term.

Although only 23, the former Scotland Under 21 player, has already captained top Scottish club Watsonians, and has the proverbial old head on young shoulders.

Rugby is in the blood. Jamie's grandfather, Vivian, won two caps for Scotland in 1936 - albeit as a No 8, but the young Weston is not sure he wants to make it his career.

"I was a pro for a year and thoroughly enjoyed it. But Oxford offers things you can't get elsewhere. It also gives me a time to think what I really want to do." Weston senses the losing run is about to end. "The feeling is very much that it's our turn now. We're determined to make it happen."

His partnership with fly-half Seb FitzGerald, a brave, risk-taking player, will be crucial.

At least, FitzGerald won't have any distractions as second string scrum half Toby Beer has been brought in on the wing to kick the goals

"This is not the strongest Cambridge side we've faced over the past three years," say Hill.

"Their pack is less formidable. Although the Innes brothers are still in the second row, most of their returning Blues are in the backs."

Cambridge suffered a further problem to their pack with the late withdrawl of flanker Thomas Mouton due to concussion suffered in the final warm-game against Terenure.

So it will be up to Oxford's front five to lay the platform, for their skilful back row to dictate the game. No 8 Norman Celliers has commanded enormous respect this season. Indeed, the team's sub-standard displays have been when he has been absent.

He doesn't deserve to go down in history as the man to lead them to their record sixth successive defeat.

All Oxford - and beyond - will be hoping that he will be lifting the Bowring Bowl just before teatime. It's about time! Oxford: P Graham (Worcester), T Beer (Regent's Park), K Shuman (Templeton)*, J Kinniburgh (Oriel), S Danielli (Trinity), S FitzGerald (Balliol), J Weston (Keble), R Lehner (Kellogg)*, P Nicholas (Brasenose), A Collins (Lincoln)*, A Russell (Magdalen), S Miall (St Anne's), L Sherriff (St Anne's), D Kelaher (St Cross)*, N Celliers (Keble)* capt. Replacements: N Marsh, J Platt, S Weenink, H Jeffreys, M Parker, R Heaslip. E Hallett.

Cambridge: G Paulin (Hughes Hall), G Williams (St Edmunds)*, A Bidwell (Hughes Hall)*, B Rudge (Queens'), R Morrow (Hughes Hall)*, K Iwabuchi (St Edmund's), G Peacocke (Hughes Hall)*, J Cooke (St Edmund's), J Hamilton-Smith (Homerton), N Hennessy (Homerton), H Innes (Hughes Hall)*, A Innes (Hughes Hall)* capt, AN Other, M Haslett (St Catherine's)*, M Count (Jesus).

*Denotes Blue.

Story date: Monday 06 December

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