Oxford (7) 27
Tries: Davies, Haydon, Cheesman Cons: Swanson 3 Pens: Swanson 2
Cambridge (5) 31
Tries: Greenwood, Jones, Broadfoot, Richards, Hood Cons: Broadfoot 3

Cambridge were captained by former Australia second row Dan Vickerman

Cambridge University secured revenge for last year's Varsity defeat by Oxford University with a 31-27 victory.

Oxford enjoyed the majority of first-half possession but the Light Blue defence held firm before the teams turned around at 7-5 to Oxford.

Lock Will Jones's try under the posts in the 46th minute gave Cambridge a 12-10 lead, their first of the game.

Oxford fought back with a Nick Haydon try but three tries in 15 minutes gave Cambridge their 45th Varsity win.

Much like last year's contest it was the Dark Blues who started brightest at Twickenham but this time their high-tempo game lacked precision.

Their backs, lead by enterprising fly-half Ross Swanson, looked dangerous and only a spilled pass by inside-centre Julian Allfrey five metres short denied them a 10th minute try.

But Oxford were also met with rock solid Cambridge defence that bore all the hallmarks of Wasps, Wales and British and Irish Lions coach Sean Edwards who was employed to avoid a repeat of the 33 points they leaked in 2008.

Cambridge scored five tries to Oxford's three

The opening score came after the Cambridge pack buckled under extreme pressure following a series of penalties deep in their 22 and referee Dean Richards awarded a penalty try, which Swanson converted.

It brought Cambridge to life and, after a series of fine breaks, full-back Jimmy Richards combined well with his wingers to put James Greenwood in to score.

Swanson converted an early second-half penalty to give Oxford a five-point lead.

Minutes later the Cambridge pack executed a pre-planned move from a line out that saw second row Jones barrel his way through Oxford's centres to go in under the post.

Ross Broadfoot converted and Cambridge took the lead for the first time.

Swanson then added three more points from a penalty for offside at the scrum to put his side back in the lead at 13-12.

The lead changed hands twice more as Broadfoot and then Haydon crossed over.

But it was Richards's 66th minute try from a perfect line of running and then substitute scrum-half Jamie Hood's break and race for the line that sealed the win for Tony Rodgers' men.

Oxford rallied in the final minutes but again Cambridge's defence proved resolute to deny them a chance back into the game.

Centre Alex Cheesman added an injury-time try for the Dark Blues to give the scoreline some respectability but the conversion by Swanson proved to be the final play.

Oxford Univ: Mahony, Catling, Cheesman, Allfrey, Browne, Swanson, Haydon, Lutton, Rosen, Tomaszczyk, Kench, Van Zyl, Carter, McKeen, Davies.
Not Used: Rogers, Johnson, Outen, Tosa, Klopper, James, Morris, G Oliver.

Cambridge Univ: Richards, Riley, Shepherd, Burdon, Greenwood, Broadfoot, Rowe, Madiment, Wheeler, White, Vickerman, Jones, Harris, Crossley, Conlon.
Not Used: Gilbert, Daniel, Anuvatnujotiku, Henderson, Hood, Reid, Balfour, Cheetham.

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