Lehman Brothers Varsity Match

Oxford 16 (10), Cambridge 22 (8)

Cambridge made it three Varsity Match wins in a row with a potent mixture of passion and clinical finishing.

Unlike many matches in recent times, this was an enthralling contest with Oxford having plenty of chances to win it themselves.

Cambridge captain Ross Blake, who started at scrum half and finished at No 10, was the outstanding player as the Light Blues fought back from 16-8 down after 53 minutes.

Oxford at times laid siege to the Cambridge line, notably in frantic final minutes, but their opponents held firm with some ferocious defence.

Dark Blue skipper Joe Roff didn't get the fairytale ending to his career he wanted, but there was no suggestion his side hadn't played their part.

Cambridge got off to a dream start with a try in just the second minute.

A well-weighted grubber kick from Blake forced Oxford wing Tom Tombleson into touch and the resulting catch-and-drive saw prop Jon Dawson power over.

Oxford were stunned and trailed 8-0 after six minutes thanks to a penalty from Cambridge fly half Ross Broadfoot.

Much of the first half was characterised by poor kicking in the swirling wind with numerous punts failing to reach touch.

Oxford fly half Craig McMahon was responsible for many of these, but he did have the presence of mind to slot a tenth-minute drop goal.

This steadied the ship slightly, although Tombleson still looked susceptible under the high ball.

Oxford full back Chris Mahony was also guilty of some poor kicking, while centre Euan Sadden's powerful direct running gave the Dark Blues some momentum.

Mahony more than made amends on 31 minutes when he combined with wing Jonan Boto on the right.

Boto had the strength to off-load into Mahony's path and he in turn was able to twist over despite the efforts of Joe Wheeler.

McMahon kicked a fine conversion, but Mahony limped off after being injured in the act of scoring.

Tom Gregory came on and Roff dropped back to replace Mahony.

Roff couldn't hold Tombleson's pass late in the first half as Oxford hinted at a second try.

The Dark Blues turned around with real momentum and McMahon's penalty made it 13-8 on 42 minutes.

Cambridge lost Broadfoot to injury and looked in more trouble when McMahon slotted a second drop goal, becoming only the third player in Varsity Match history to do so.

The Light Blues brought on flankers Tom Malaney and Juliano Fiori, who immediately made an impact.

Oxford must have been wary of Cambridge's catch-and-drive tactic, but were unable to stop Malaney going over on 58 minutes.

Fiori's conversion reduced the deficit to 16-15 and it was anyone's game.

Cambridge struck decisively on 69 minutes when No 8 James Lumby powered his way through to the left of the posts.

Fiori had missed an earlier penalty, but had no problem with the conversion to leave Oxford needing a converted try.

Oxford had their own catch-and-drive chance with five minutes to go, but replacement lock Bert Payne fumbled the ball.

It was all Oxford in the closing stages as Blake marshalled his troops into a committed rearguard.

McMahon's cross kick eluded Boto on the right and then, as surge after surge was repelled, Oxford finally went inside to the backs.

Another knock-on and the final chance had gone.

Roff and Oxford's dreams were in tatters, but Blake and men deserved their victory.

Oxford: Mahony (Gregory 34), Boto, Sadden, Roff (capt), Tombleson, McMahon, McKerchar, Allhusen (Davis 40), Rosen (Cowie 40), Lutton (Matthews 56), Chance (Payne 71), Alexander, Wright, Ackroyd, Jackson (Clarke 60). Rep not used: Henry.

Cambridge: Murray, Stevenson, Lewis, Reid, Wellwood, Broadfoot (Greenwood 46), Blake (capt), Fitzpatrick, Clark, Dawson, Boynton, Blaikie, Bartholomew (Fiori 56), Wheeler (Malaney 50), Lumby. Reps not used: Crossley, Reddy, Pilbeam, Astbury.

Referee: T Spreadbury.

Man-of-the-match: Blake

Attendance: 34, 521