Murray Henderson will have to wait until mid-January to learn whether he will be offered another contract as Oxford University head coach.

The New Zealander, who coached Oxford to a surprise 21-0 victory over Cambridge in the 129th Varsity Match last week, is keen to continue in the role.

But, while 51-year-old Henderson has clearly impressed, Oxford University RFC president Peter Bridges explained there was important procedure to follow.

“We are going to talk about it in mid-January,” said Brid-ges.

“The way the system works is that the captain has overall responsibility for everything.

“We don’t know who is going to be team captain until they have the election next term.

“The captain himself has to decide on the coach.

“All I can say is that we are very pleased with the way Murray worked for us.

“We are certainly not saying we wouldn’t have him again.

“It is a question of can we afford him and does a new captain want him. Murray knows the situation.”

Bridges praised Henderson’s efforts, especially in building the confidence of his inexperienced front row.

As for last week’s victory, Bridges added: “After the first half hour, I couldn’t quite believe what I was watching.

“People were very emotional at the end.”

One person particularly caught up in those feelings was team manager John Carter, who ruled himself out of playing due to a shoulder injury.

Carter said: “I had two heads on really, my manager’s head and my player’s.

“My manager’s head was really excited, I was really enjoying it.

“I knew if we stuck to what we have been building that we would pull through and win the game without a shadow of a doubt.

“Then I had my player’s head on, which was a little bit sad because I couldn’t be with them.

“The emotional side of not being able to play was quite high.”

Meanwhile, try-scoring centre Alex Cheesman played down his own role.

But having trained with Wasps last summer, his display must have gone down well with head coach Shaun Edwards, who was acting as a consultant for Cambridge.

Cheesman said: “I wouldn’t mind anyone scoring, it was all about the victory.

“We went into it as underdogs definitely. We were well aware of that.

“It was quite clear from the start that Cambridge were the fancied team, but we used that to our advantage.

“It allows you to express yourself without being constrained.

“Going into the match last year, the pressure got to us and we started playing as individuals.”