Cambridge v Oxford Men's Match 2017 Rugby Union Varsity Match

It was a grizzly grey December day

until about an hur ago. Now we have

glorious winter sunshine to welcome

tw shades of blue who have been an

integral part of the rugby calendar

since 1872. The days of

multi-internationals playing in this

fixture may be gone but the sides

feature many former professionals,

England sevens players and a variety

of age group internationals so we

should being in for a good match. 97

years since Oxford and Cambridge

first met here at Twickenham. As you

can see from the statistics,

Cambridge ended a long run of Oxford

domination last year. Six on the

trot for the dark blues before that.

The pre-match form before today's

encounter has the Oxford team as

very much odds on favourites today.

But this is very much a one-off and

it's anybody's game. In about ten

minutes' time or so, as I am sure

two of our guests today will readily

agree, and presenting the trophy the

one and only Martin Johnson. Jamie,

you were part of the Cambridge side

two years ago. What are your

memories?

Losing, first and

foremost. I took a knock to my leg

in the second minute. Just swelling

on the knee, I had to come off at

half-time, unfortunately. Yeah, a

lot of great memories. For these

guys it's a one-off Cup final,

regardless of form going into

today's game. It's all about this

one game. It makes or breaks your

year really. A lot of tradition,

history and certainly knowing you

are a part of that with the

traditional things that would have

been happening this week. It's all

about which ever team hold their

nerve.

You were a blue a few years

before Jamie, Damien. How much does

it mean to you in the course of what

is a very distinguished career?

Snoots a special day, not only

--

It's a special day, not only for

players, but you are with families,

and the shirt you wear and pass on

to the next year and the next

generation is an incredible

privilege to play here in the

Varsity match. 25 years ago, can you

believe it, when I played and we

actually won. So it still lives

happily in my memory.

Have you ever

been to a Varsity match before?

I

think 1983 I came with school, all

the rugby teams on the bus to

Twickenham. And I think guys like

Gavin Hastings would have been

playing, maybe Stuart Barnes.

Great

names peppered both sides during the

course of the year. One thing you

mentioned earlier, we should expand

on that. For a lot of the players

this will be the highlight of their

rugby career. Somebody who has

played for the Lions, internationals

dozen of times, what were you able

to say to them about how to approach

a big match, the like of which they

won't have played in before or ever

will again?

I suppose as you said,

if these guys, they might never play

a stadium such as this or a game of

this magnitude. For those lads it's

trying to eliminate the occasion and

eliminate the crowd and what it is

and ult mayly it's a game of rugby.

-- ultimately. Try and put in place

today what they've been preparing

for. When you are a player with

maybe not that much experience of

playing in these standards you can

kind of freeze. It's like earning

your first cap or a first big game

for a club. All of a sudden it

passes in a blur and you watch it

back and you are frozen. For these

guys it's all about concentrating on

processes and hopefully putting on

to the park what they've practised

to do.

How much is experience a

factor here do you think? One or two

players have played at the highest

level here. They have to guide

players around them a bit.

Yeah, get

the balance right. Enjoy the day.

It's a massive occasion for you. Get

out on the field. Get yourself into

the game. Get fundamental skills

right early on. Which ever team will

adapt early on, get that first

catch, first line out scrum,

whatever it is, get that under the

belt and go from there and then you

will be playing a game. The crowd

and the stands and everything else

will disappear. You are playing and

doing what you are doing. If you get

it wrong you can get the day go by

before you have got involved with

the game. Enjoy it, take it in. When

it's time to play do what you do and

play the game and get into it.

You

mentioned the fact it's wet. It's

glorious now compared to this

morning when the women's match took

place. The third time they've played

the women's match here at

Twickenham. Two years ago Cambridge

won a one-sided match by more than

50 points. Last year, the direct

opposite where in a attritional game

Oxford won with a penalty goal. What

happened today?

Cambridge with a chance to break the

deadlock. What a hit coming in

there.

There is numbers on the far side.

Still going for it. Coleman thinks

she can go on her own. Still two

inches left. It's been lost forward.

A knock on. Was there a penalty to

come back for?

The ball was still in

and you came in from the side.

Looks

like it. Martin is racing back

there.

Martin is going to take it

quickly. She's got numbers. Goes in

hand. She has gone over the line. We

finally break the deadlock.

Cambridge University's Gurney has

the first try of this Varsity match.

If you are going to tap a penalty,

that far, that in front of the post

and not take the three points in a

tight game like this, you have to

make sure you score the five and she

did exactly that.

Someone used to

scoring in the Varsity, Alice

Middleton. And the flags are flying

and Cambridge are seven up against

Oxford.

She is's pushing Middleton to move

here. The ball is going to stay

inside the 22. Time for Middleton to

run. A one on one with Trott. It's

chased. Gibson still going for the

line. It was made by Middleton.

Gibson will finish it off. What a

final five minutes in this first

half for Cambridge University.

Brilliant from Cambridge. It was

always a bit of a risky kick, if you

are going to kick over to Alice

Middleton you need to be stretching

her. Middleton fielded it really

well. There's nobody with her.

Middleton beats her for pace. It's

that decision that makes it, the

kick over because she was

surrounded. Then Gibson's chasing

really well behind her. A huge smile

on her face. What a try for

Cambridge. What a try that is.

Middleton is one from one so far

kicking at goal. Her second

opportunity. You can see the rain

thundering down there on her. And

she remains clean with the boot in

the Varsity. That will be the half.

Cambridge lead here. 14-0.

Here comes the shove. It's not

going. Marks is running. Going on

her own. Still going for the line!

That is over. Is it down cleanly?

She thinks it is. That is

Cambridge's third try of the match.

McAroundle can't get near her.

Lovely quick feet. Real persistence

from Kate Marks getting the ball

over the line.

Another Cambridge

scrum. This time Kate Marks is not

going to get the opportunity. Gets

the pass away. Donaldson gets it off

to the far side. It's in. It's

straight. It's clear. It's Nicholls

who goes over and that will be the

match now. Time has run out for

Oxford. They still have time to make

a mark on this game but it's

Cambridge who are going to come away

with the spoils with a 24-point lead

and ten minutes to play. That one

hasn't gone into Oxford hands. Marks

kicks it out on the near side. The

whistle blows. Cambridge University

are the 2017 women's Varsity

winners.

Victory for the light blues

and their captain Lara Gibson in the

middle there and the defeated Oxford

captain are going to join us at

half-time here at Twickenham this

afternoon.

So let's focus on a few names in

this men's match. Kick-off is in a

few minutes's time. Maybe they're

familiar to you. First of all,

obstacle little Phillips, This is

his last game at 35. Medical Stuart

Briggs makes history, not since 1872

has anybody won seven blues until

today. He is the man. To the dark

blues. Moor is a Canadian

international.

Sap saw was part of the Saracens

team that won six years ago. He is

studying sustainable urban

development now that his

professional career is over.

That's just a few of the players who

have experience at the very highest

level. In terms of what kind of a

game we can expect today, do the

first ten 15 minutes or so set the

template for what's to follow?

first ten 15 minutes or so set the

template for what's to follow?

Let's hope it's better than the 3-0

women's result last year. As you

said, glad the weather has cleared

up. And it's trying to get into the

game as early as possible. The first

line out, first scrum, there will be

a lot of kick to compete today,

because it's greasy and whoever

adapts to the conditions best will

win the game, no doubt.

OK. Here we

go then. It's the 136th University

Varsity match at Twickenham.

The players and all blues gathered

for the match between Oxford and

Cambridge...

It's a try surely!

After the interval Oxford had the

advantage.

The dark blues had been

tipped as easy winners. It didn't

work out that way.

That was one of

the greatest we have seen in a

Varsity match for years.

COMMENTATOR: Waiting so many players

for countries have waited before,

Oxford line up and Cambridge join

them in the Twickenham tunnel. A

couple of players behind Olly

Phillips. It's the blend of

experience. Some played professional

rugby, some might go on to play

professional. Under graduates,

post-graduates, this mix that is the

Varsity match.

Getting ready for the 136th meeting.

Going back to 1872. A year after the

first international match between

Scotland and England. They've been

playing for 145 years. Certainly

better conditions than we had for

the women's match. It's a bit

cooler. It's a bit calmer. It's

clear and dry overhead at least. A

little bit damp under foot.

Amesbury. There is the captain of

Oxford, Kearns, very talented

Irishman.

Please be upstanding for the

national anthem.

Are we ready for

the anthem before we get under way

here at Twickenham?

NATIONAL ANTHEM

An experience for any rugby player

and I have mentioned some of these

players have wonderful pedigree in

the game and I have seen plenty of

things before but to line up at

Twickenham is still a great thrill.

As mentioned, that blend of rugby

pedigree is here. This is the Oxford

line-up.

Look out for the power of Australian

Fifita.

Waldouck on the bench after back

problems.

The referee is one of the youngest

in the business. Just 24,

Christopher Ridley. Was once in

Leicester academy. Talented player.

Had injury problems, though, and

turned to refereeing. So we are

under way at Twickenham. Hennessy

gets Cambridge going.

Underneath it for Oxford but feel

ago thump there already.

-- feeling a thump there already.

Oxford with powerful forwards in

there, though.

But Cambridge slightly brighter in

early salvos.

Cambridge have a chance through

Hunter. Strength from the Australian

lock.

Bell gets them going again. On to

Koster, the South African second

row. There is Hennessy, tries to

slip around Kearns. Advantage to

Cambridge. Penalty coming their way.

Bell gives it another chance to see

if they can launch an attack. This

penalty coming.

So a hopeful little chip.

Not quite grabbed by David. A bit of

a hit from Hunter. They're coming

back for that penalty. An even

contest. And the referee having to

step in and say enough is enough.

Come in Brian Moore, looking forward

to this one.

Yes, like many matches

I have watched over the years, it's

a case of which side settles into

some sort of controlled rhythm.

There's so much riding on this for

the players themselves. Irrespective

of the quality of the fix tier

overall, it means a lot to the

participants and in many years

previous you have seen players

running around with little control

and if one side, usually directed by

the halfbacks, can get that element

of control, that's going to be

vital.

Finding touch, Amesbury.

Varsity history in his family, uncle

played for England in the 50s.

Cambridge. What strength do they

have to maul forward. Making

progress. Oxford breaking up a

little bit at the moment. Carried at

the back by Hunter. Cambridge

rolling towards the line. Down to

ground it goes. Bell looks to see

what's on offer. Down the blind

side. A chance for Cambridge. It's

Richardson. Can't quite get there.

Well, celebrations. However we are

going to have a look. Perhaps he did

get there for the opening try.

We

are checking for touch and then try

or no try please.

Touch first. Stand

by.

The TMO is David Rose. And

everyone inside the stadium looks to

the big screens. We will look at the

replay.

Elbow down. Very close. It's touch.

Thank you.

Very good covering tackle.

Richardson unable to get it down

before his elbow hit the whitewash.

Still great pressure on the dark

blues with a shortened line out.

Taken down well by Pozniak.

Not much ground made. All the early

pressure on Oxford and a mocking

ruffle of the hair comes in on

Kearns.

Risky throw we see here. It's a good

cover tackle. Let's put it down to

that. Cambridge previously got the

line out drive on. It was well set.

Unfortunately for them one of their

own men went down. If they can

replicate that and stay up, could be

in profit.

Here are Cambridge again.

This is worrying for Oxford.

Encouraging for Cambridge. The maaul

is marching once more.

Two players

straight in the side there.

Now the

backs get a chance. Hennessy carries

it in. Skilful midfield they have,

Hennessy and Russell. Now carried by

Koster. Punches a hole. Then is

stripped. A great steal. Suddenly

Oxford are thrown back. But they do

have that precious ball. Kershaw

pointing the way. From some depth

Kearns has to clear. To mocking

jeers from Cambridge fans.

This was

a fantastic steal on the floor.

It

was Pozniak in there.

This is one of the front row here

with blue experience, Burnett. Taken

down again by Hunter. Once more they

look for the maul to do its thing.

This one going more sideways. Oxford

don't look too organised in that

defence. The ball is to the ground.

A knock on spares Oxford this time.

Rapturous applause. Saull offering

encouragement. Perhaps now Oxford

will get a chance to clear.

Not a

secure carry. You want to offer the

ball backwards, make sure it's close

to the hip. Can't be knocked down.

That's three times Cambridge have

got the drive going and it's been

broken up by their own errors. Two

hookers here.

There is the Cambridge

coaching set-up.

A chance to look at a scrum for the

first time. Away come Oxford. A good

run from Wilson. Carried by Pozniak

who made that vital steal just about

on the try line. Up it goes from

Kearns. Here is Amesbury. Tries to

evade the clouchs of Moorby. Moor is

there for Oxford in defence. Bell

now. -- clutches.

Richardson has been busy, the number

eight for Cambridge. Bell points the

way. And Nick Koster has played

super 15 rugby in South Africa.

And back they come. I think it was

Pozniak getting carried away. Good

run by Hennessy now. Mike Phillips

gives it to Russell who offloads

well. The challenge was flying up

from Kearns. Carried by the hooker

Burnett.

The law student, 20-year-old.

Under-graduates on the field today.

Phillips having a chuckle on the

ground. And carried this time by

Watson.

Bell decides to send it up this

time. Three Oxford men around it.

Taken well. Eventually lays it back.

The Oxford forwards decide to set

off. Cambridge counter-rucking may

have stripped it. Illegal in there.

Now a penalty. Oxford with a chance

to clear here.

It is Cambridge who

have had the better of the exchanges

so far but haven't registered points

that will please Oxford. You have to

be careful with kicking strategy

because the Cambridge back three

have significant speed and

experience. Kicking strategy isn't

right and they'll give them a chance

to counterattack. The line kicking

is not going well, is it at the

moment?

This is the reason for the

penalty.

He said the Cambridge number eight

Richardson was fine but the tackler

didn't roll away quickly enough.

Good take by Edgerley.

There is Fifita who could do some

damage, heaviest man on the pitch.

A rare adventure for Oxford. A loop

around. Nice handling. Carried by

David. David gets it back. Looking

for Edgerley. Into the 22. Cambridge

diving in to secure that ball and

turn it over. Just the first glimpse

of some attacking threat from

Oxford. Bell asks his forwards to

earn a few yards.

And it is Chris Bell, history

student. Feeds on to David. Those

two linking up again. Double whammy

on David. Carried in by Ball.

Oxford just building a little bit of

momentum. Good take by Edgerley. Now

space. Carried in by Stileman. Gets

a good thump from Russell and

Amesbury.

Hit on Wilson this time. Leonard

doing some damage. But Oxford

beginning to warm a little to the

task.

The forwards do a bit.

So again down the blind side they

go. Saull.

Talotti is told to use it, South

African born Italian youth

international. So Kershaw gives it

deep to Kearns. A laboured pass to

Moorby. Gets it to ground

eventually. Kershaw had to be quick

to keep it alive and into the

challenge of Richardson. It's all

with Oxford now. A dozen phases.

A little cute pass into Elvin. But

spilled the ball. Cambridge will

have the put in. More fluent passage

of play from Oxford.

Yes, they'll be

pleased to get into the game, they

spent eight minutes defending. Break

earlier by Stile man. It didn't

look... You don't look you don't

see. Passage of play died with him.

Watching earlier on, Cambridge, you

think they would be able to count

going to Oxford and Cambridge, but

there were four defenders to none. I

don't see why Cambridge were

stacking the blind side because they

were definitely numbers superiority

for Oxford going over if they can

exploit that.

Possibly some are art students. This

was the little break at interplay

with David and Edgerley.

Certainly after a very bright start

by Cambridge, Oxford are more than

coming back into it, beginning to

look ever more threatening. Tackles

made and missed, pretty even on that

stat.

Slightly step off, that's not where

it was. That's good.

The last scrum wasn't entirely

satisfactory. Oxford got it all -

Cambridge got it all wrong rather in

the early engage.

Martin Johnson is animated. Almost

as animated as he was sitting there

as a coach of England.

Oxford perhaps a little bit of a

shove there.

Back it comes to Mike Phillips.

Carry in again by Edgerley. Not the

biggest man but plenty of life in

him. That kick away spiralling

through the sky.

Clearing kick, not too bad, around

the halfway mark.

We might be in for a close contest

today.

Richardson Hennessy on Edgerley.

All

in. Seven.

Richardson Hennessy on Edgerley.

All

in. Seven.

Chat between John Aaron

Henry and Ed Elvin. Elfyn hit his

man again right in the middle.

Curtains delayed and delayed and

paid the price. Dan Moor with all

that experience. A nice off-load to

Ed Elvin. The trundle on from Kieran

Ball, a former England and Irish

age-group prop. Edgerley. Hunter

eventually got him. Oxford piling on

through. Advantage to the dark Blues

as well. Dan Moor goes to ground.

They'll come back for that penalty

now.

This is what I mean by the

element of control. Four or five

carries, scrappy, not getting the

ball back as quickly as he wanted

from the breakdown. Establishes some

control. Consistent, quick ball.

He'll likely get on top.

Interesting to hear the language

doesn't necessarily change depending

on your education, if you heard

anything unsavoury we have to

apologise.

For ones I missed that!

It doesn't matter.

Oxford again

looking more bullish in the scrum.

The pick-up by Wil Wilson. Inside

pass. Stileman coming off the wing.

Amesbury scoops it up. Cambridge

have a chance to come away. Bell the

little scrum-half in there. Stripped

this time. A chance for Kearns to

prod it through and here is Ollie

Phillips. Taken in by Kershaw. Here

is Edgerley again. Edgerley is made

to sit down by Matt Watson. A

penalty for the challenge. I see

Matt Watson acknowledging his

mistake.

It didn't look that bad to

me. We see this full speed. In slow

motion it always looks much more

dangerous.

Is the duty of care to

return him to ground.

You know

what's he might have just about

picked his legs over his shoulders,

but frankly, that, to me, he's a

good tackler, nothing wrong at all.

Sometimes difficult when it's a big,

powerful man like Matt Watson, or a

much lighter figure like Edgerley...

Oxford's line-out continues to work

well. A chance now for Andy Saull

looking for support. Fallen into

Cambridge hands and it is Matt

Watson. He lays a protective pore

over it for an age. Buchan

Richardson tries to carry for just a

yard. Cambridge having to dig

themselves out from deep inside

their own 22. Molby has taken a hit,

the Oxford Centre. He might be

injured. If he's injured, that's not

proper physiotherapy. The kit is

decent enough.

Clean line breaks are

a premium in any game. When you make

one, you really do have two... It's

a symbol inside ball. I can't tell

from here but I wouldn't mind

betting that was a call from the

Cambridge number six Matt Watson.

When you are carrying and hear the

call, you give the ball.

Dom

Waldouck and his luxuriant moustache

getting ready to come on. He's

really struggled with a back

problem. Oxford on the charge. Must

have gone forward eventually to

Talotti. Find the referee, Kieran

Ball. Burrows on into the 22.

Kershaw to Kearns and deep again to

Moorby. Here is Fifita. Oxford just

beginning to stretch this Cambridge

defence. Kershaw ushering out some

forwards. And once more to Fifita.

No substitute for a bit of bulk. And

there is Dan Moor. A little gang of

forwards set off once again, once

more it is Kieran Ball, the tight

head. Edgerley looking for the

support runners. Oxford building,

Cambridge defence. Solid at the

moment. A good charge from Wil

Wilson, still going again. Once

more, Amesbury comes away with it.

Bouncers of Edgerley. A plate

clearing run from Charlie Amesbury.

Chris Bell had a chance to move it

out of the lips. Edgerley has popped

up there. Twice now Charlie Amesbury

has been in the right place at the

right time for Cambridge. Kick into

space over the head of Phillips.

Cambridge once more back to back

deep into their own 22.

The fortune

of the bounce. But he deserves the

credit. But Cambridge right back in

their own red zone. Oxford at the

moment are warming to the task. If

they can avoid errors like that,

they'll register a score because

several times they haven't quite got

the ball back quick enough from the

ball going forward. They've had an

imbalance of numbers against

Cambridge defenders. Weather is in

charge of the Cambridge defensive

system will be having a word. While

they've scrambled well, they've been

resetting, players have been slow to

get in position. The keeper Oxford

is to get quicker ball when they

make one or two yards after the

initial contact. Then to recognise

which side the imbalance is

occurring on. Twice they've gone

right when the imbalance was left.

Cambridge wouldn't want to lose

Jonathan Dixon. He played last year

in the victory, the Ulsterman. And

he's a heavy bit of ballast heaviest

in the Cambridge side.

Cambridge are safely gathering in

their line-out, not too much

pressure coming down on Chris Bell

as it clears. Not too much ground

made. Oxford will have the ball.

They are in a difficult position

with little or no angle, I think

you're better off putting in a

box-kick. Getting a winger to stand

under it and get the defensive line

in the shape, rather than giving

possession closer to the line.

Elvin, the New Zealander, former

University of Avatar -- Otago. The

dark Blues beginning to rumble

forward. Making very good ground.

Seems a long time ago that, now.

Oxford continued our wonder towards

the try line. A fair strip from

Andrew Hunter, the Australian lock

forward. Out of Australia managed to

lose that at the heart of the maul?

-- how did Australia manage?

The

opening ten minutes, the loose

carry.

I'll have that!

They've not

tucked it under the body.

He's been

a bit injured for his troubles and

efforts. The man from Sydney, Andrew

Hunter. A few bashers in there.

Whilst there hasn't been any

registered scores, it's been an

entertaining game so far.

Cambridge

ball, but very much in their danger

area. 15 metres from their own line.

Free to Cambridge.

Amesbury checks where the mark is.

There's no point in doing that,

because whether in that defensive

situation, they're not going to

clear the ball. You get the line-out

throw when it goes off this way

round. He's given a free kick so it

doesn't matter.

A smuggled

instruction from Henry, the

loosehead prop, to Elvin. And wrong.

Taken on by Watson. Cambridge for

the first time getting into the

Oxford half. Buchan Richardson and

Cambridge have the penalty.

So

coming in at the side.

Frustrating

for Oxford. They were in a grand

position. Buy a couple of silly

mistakes they find themselves back

up their own 22.

That the point.

It's about doing the right thing,

not straying offside when you know

where the parameters, the gates are

on the breakdown.

We've had 50

minutes or so of solid Oxford

pressure, Cambridge back inside the

Oxford 22. A chance for Andrew

Burnett to get his man on the

line-out. Bit of an overthrow. Both

sides have lost their first line-out

of the match. Andy Saull takes it in

for Oxford. So deep that Kearns has

to get back kick away. Cambridge

will have another chance.

The

line-out still within the 22. That

is an overthrow. When you look back

and starts more what you've won and

have won in the line-up percentages,

it can tell you something, but it's

the ones that really count.

A real

chance for Cambridge as the Oxford

defence slipped away for a moment.

Bell get it going once more to

Buchan Richardson. Bell looks and

points. The forwards take it in

again. Stephen Leonard the flanker,

six metres for the line. Attack

around the neck of the Cambridge

man. Nick Koster... Koster rolling

his way on a little bit further.

Opportunity. Bell tries to slip

through. Cambridge getting closer

still. Two metres from the line. The

drive. Can they get it done? They

can, surely. The referee will have a

long look at this. Over the line.

Definitely. Was it down, though?

Charlie Amesbury once more.

He was

the closest man, the referee, by

far.

Simple question, try or no

trifle David Rose, the TMO. -- or no

try for David Rose.

He can't see there. It's held up and

it's on someone's arm. Does that go

down? Still can't see from that

angle.

Kearns in defence, his arm

wrapped underneath it. So, too, Ed

David.

I don't think you can give

this. When the question is Charlie

or no try. -- try or no try. No,

it's still clearly up there.

The

stuff. No clear and obvious

grounding.

Very good defensive work

by Ed David and Conor Kearns. Booing

from the fans of the light Blues,

but absolutely the right decision.

Couldn't see it down.

Prime

attacking opportunity for Cambridge.

Amesbury, Phillips, very quick out

wide.

He's been impressive so far,

Charlie aims. In particular has been

lively, good work in defence, couple

of interventions. Nearly a try

there.

Will have to work hard to

keep the right-hand side of the

scrum up. Keep the back row of

Oxford at least square.

Doesn't look too stable, Cambridge

have to push on Bell now. Gives it

all. The spill. Oxford will have the

scrum. The knock-on.

That came from

the inventiveness of Bell. Wasn't

expecting the pass.

It was Henry

King coming in. Just couldn't grasp

it.

Had he done so, would have

walked over.

The power of the

collision on Chris Bell dislodged

the ball as much of anything else.

King unable to gather it. A little

bit damp out there today, five

handling errors a piece. You would

think it wouldn't be an entertaining

game at 0-0 but it's been pretty

lively. Though its Oxford's ball,

and I hear some academic language...

Once again apologies. Five metres

from the Oxford line.

Someone just

shouted, this is the scrum we talked

about. They must have a riveting

life.

This particular scrum.

Cambridge are trying to put a

squeeze on, look at the power coming

through. Bell is true. Chris Bell

has the try. Perhaps it was the

scrum they talked about. Cambridge

with the opening try of the match.

Errant by the forwards, errant, and

scored by Chris Bell.

Great amount

of credit, the Cambridge number

three. Modern European history

student born in Belfast. Watch from

here. You can't see from that angle

but he absolutely stuffed his

opposite number, John Henry. He gets

the scrum going forward. From tight

head almost inevitably you're going

to go backwards if you're in that

position. Nothing they could do

about that out wide.

Martin Johnson

sitting behind the Cambridge coach.

They were appreciating that one.

Interesting game because Oxford had

15 minutes of really solid pretty

dominant possession, couldn't take

the points. But an opportunity for

Mike Phillips to push it pretty

badly.

In a game that might be

tight, watch the scrum... Looks to

be in a bad position. But he is

lifted. Henry shot out the side

there. You can see his head is not

underneath the chest. Once your

split like that, the second row has

nothing to push on. You can go

backwards at a rate of knots.

A

battle of two Ulsterman. John Dixon

going through John Aaron Henry. Just

a 5-point try. Conversion is not the

prettiest from Mike Phillips. A

moment to remember for Chris Bell, a

20-year-old history undergraduate.

Once more, Ed Elvin, this time to

Pozniak on the second row. Stripped

by Buchan Richardson.

Buchan Richardson is offside.

Shouldn't mind being dragged back

for that, gives him a better angle.

Conor Kearns kicked it into touch.

Ten or 12 metres out.

I think it's

important for Oxford psychologically

to come away from this passage of

play with some points.

Ed Elvin

complaining to the referee that

Cambridge are closing the channel. A

degree in law and Finance gives you

that power. Oxford now with a dried,

down it goes. A penalty coming for

Oxford. They are romping towards the

line. Dark blue bodies pile in will

stop new advantage given. Conor

Kearns tries to skip through. Dow

metres out. Oxford piling over the

top. The referee makes it clear they

still have that advantage.

Oxford

have numbers out wide if they go

left.

Andy Saull calls for it. With

his back to the Cambridge defence.

Oxford again. Edgerley tried to make

his way around. Back they come for

that advantage.

The referee has

giving the advantage for the second

drug driving maul. There was a case

for a penalty try. -- -- secondary

driving maul.

The bridge will be

pleased if they are only going to

concede three points.

The first one

here, clearly dragged down. This is

a second one. Where is that going to

go? Well, maybe the referee will say

in the balance of probability, that

definitely would have been scored

because it was further out than he

would like. As they say, were seen

those given.

There is Conor Kearns,

born in San Francisco, but played

for monster under 20s. Ireland

universities, USA age-group teams.

Former university College Dublin

student. And now to give Oxford

their first points of the match, a

look from the touch judges.

Eventually satisfied. Oxford on the

board. Again Cambridge will be very,

very satisfied it's only three

points for Oxford.

There is some

reward for Oxford's efforts this

half, for which they've been

dominant for a good 50, 60%.

Cambridge in no hurry for the

restart. In the sea eventually

coming forward. Harlequins Academy

just across the road at the

Twickenham Stoop. Since this one

high. A spill from Wilson. Penalty

to Cambridge. It happened so often.

Immediately cede the advantage from

an error.

It's instinctive as well

that Fifita had enough time...

It's

looked a bit... He knows.

He's in an

offside position. It came forward

off the hands of Will Wilson. We've

seen it done and very high level.

Happens all the time in rugby.

Sometimes it's just instinctive.

Probably did have a moment to think

about what was going on. And an

opportunity immediately for

Cambridge and Mike Phillips. To

extend their lead. Once again he

shoves it wide. His last kick, to

the right-hand side. It might well

be a close game. This one has every

look of that. These kicks could

prove costly.

10-3, which is what it

would have been. Had he kicked the

other two. Which were definitely

kickable. Very different complexion

on the game at half-time if you go

in with a converted try lead.

To the

Cambridge forwards again. There is

Nick Koster. Ed Elvin reluctant to

get out of the way there. Amesbury

has tremendous power. Former sevens

player with great upper body

strength. Nick Koster tries to get

that offload, it goes forward to

Hunter. Hennessy gathers it in. The

knock-on brings the scrum to Oxford.

Talking about the power. When you

have what you have here, a number of

pro-or former pro players against

essentially amateurs, the training

regimes they've been brought up with

will be vastly superior.

A Word for

Ollie Phillips in your picture

there, this is his final match of

rugby ever he promises, 35, former

England sevens captain, terrible

injury in 2013 with his calf, he

retired. He was world sevens Player

of the Year in 2009. He does so many

other things now. He's a poll

tracker, mountain climber. He works

in the city. Doing an executive MBA.

This is his last game of rugby.

Moorby flinging it away. A penalty.

The referee Christophe Ridley

spotted a push from Ollie Phillips.

His wily ways. Illegal wily ways.

Well spotted by the referee.

Definite push. It shows what

happens. If a planned move goes

wrong and you are mistimed by

stopping pass, which that was, to

move the ball on is almost certainly

going to you in more trouble. Kearns

gets a decent distance on this.

Phillips stretching those old limbs

to try to get to that one. Can't

keep it in. There will likely be one

period of play now before half-time.

From their point of view, ideal.

Maybe you could say vital. They

record another score. Doesn't matter

how it comes, penalty, drop goal.

Just register something. Going with

the lead.

Elvin again. This time

taken by the big right hand of

Charlie Pozniak. Sent it back to

soar. Stileman coming in off the

wing again. Oxford moving forward.

Moor gives it onto Edgerley but the

ball is spilled. Cambridge will have

the scrum. More threat about Oxford

when they come forward.

In reality,

Cambridge, their attacking phases of

play, certainly the first 1015

metres were mainly forward

orientated. We get to see the back

three, the dangerous back three, of

Cambridge. As I say, a little bit

more fluency from Oxford without

registering the scores. Made a

couple of clean breaks. Haven't been

known to capitalise on them. I would

think Cambridge will take half-time

now, get the ball off the field.

That's what I was thinking. They had

that look about them. The ability to

they have time to find a good touch.

We talked about the professional

game, weight training, conditioning,

look at Charlie Amesbury as he finds

a good touch. He is every inch the

professional Rugby player. They are

the Andrew Burnett fans. I think

it's his face. It is partridge like.

Excited members of the public.

Their

idol finds his man. With this final

attack in the first half. A chance

for Hennessy. Hennessy is in the

try. He scores, they celebrate. I

wonder if the referee might be

having a look. Hennessy celebrates.

What a try that is given. What a way

to finish this first half for

Cambridge.

We are checking for forward pass

before the try was scored.

It was

beautifully timed.

That looks forward to me. It's

whether the hands were moving

towards...

That is a marginal one.

That is marginal.

You almost want to see it from the

other side. To see where the hands

are going.

Those are all the angles.

For me that pass from 12 his hands

are going forward and the ball goes

forward to.

No try. Well, big, big

decision there. Cheers from the

Oxford supporters. Ex-askerated look

from Hennessy, now Boos from the

light blues. -- exasperated.

I think

in the end it was probably right.

It's the movement of the hands. Well

worked move. Lovely line.

Had the run been delayed by a yard,

would still have worked. Probably if

there is a fault and culpability, it

lies with the runner.

Well, it's a

seven-point decision because under

the posts went Hennessy and the

clock is now red and Oxford looking

to win this and they're the ones who

want to get this half over now.

Although the scrum again looking

pretty solid there. Not kicking it

out yet as Kearns carries. Still

they come.

Still thinking of more points in

this half, Oxford.

Deep it goes to Moor.

Pick up and go by Talotti. It's

still there for Oxford, a minute of

red time played. Still they go

looking for more. Number eight is

there. Elvin comes in to clear out.

And Ball again. Good defence from

Koster.

And now it's loose. Edgerley has to

scuttle back. It's still loose. But

out it goes. That will end an

intriguing entertaining first half.

Yes. Not many points scored.

Enjoyable half.

That one try from

Chris Bell, the Cambridge scrum half

but certainly all to play for in the

second half of this 136th Varsity

match.

The weather at the moment is

wretched, so if you are sitting at

home in front of the telly on

Thursday afternoon this is an

enjoyable way to spend a few hours.

Obviously the game is fascinatingly

poised but key moments in the last

few minutes. Big decision made by

the TMO, referee, assistant

the TMO, referee, assistant

referees. You wanted to pick up on

the fact that there were two minutes

of play in the red zone there. There

was no reason for Oxford to keep on

playing there at all.

Yeah, the risk

of reward of playing in that, when

the clock is up, they get a

turnover, holding penalty there.

Obviously Cambridge would be allowed

to kick to touch and get the line

out. So, yeah, maybe question why

they're trying to play but it's

quite daft, I think.

What about the

quality of the game?

I enjoyed it.

Last year was a fantastic rugby

match. Today, even though the

scoreline isn't high, it's been

enthralling stuff. Both sides hugely

committed. The quality, five

handling errors I think and ropey

conditions, so it's been good. The

guys as you expect are fully into it

and it's been a gripping game.

We

have a few examples here of some of

the tackles especially in the first

quarter of an hour.

the tackles especially in the first

quarter of an hour. A long period of

dominance by Oxford but Cambridge

defence weren't messing around.

It's

been special. Just the commitment

from both teams. Some of the shots

going in are painful toll watch.

It's on both sides -- painful to

watch. The referee is do a great job

as well.

In terms of opportunities

at key moments, the wrong player

from the attacking team's point of

view, the wrong player has been

there to take the ball away of some

key turnovers, especially by

Cambridge at certain moments.

Yeah,

and they needed it. You felt there

was dominance coming in and again, I

guess it's new laws, but some of the

expansive rugby played, but

fantastic turnovers. Back three have

been working very well for

Cambridge. It's much needed because

they're under a lot of pressure from

Oxford.

Amesbury has had an

exceptional game.

Special

interception there which probably

saved seven points. The back three

are doing a great job. Clearing up

line breaks and at times when

they've been under severe pressure.

Key turnovers are vital points. It's

an exciting game to watch actually.

We have the only try coming up here

from Bell. You can talk about how

important it is to have intricacy of

passing and off load and everything,

but forwards win matches, and

forwards created this try.

You look

at the different size and weight

packs with the sides and Chris Bell

has had an outstanding first half,

really bossed the game well. What an

extraordinary good scrummage from

Cambridge. They struggled in

forwards previously particularly

when Oxford went through that

six-game winning streak. It's been

fantastic to see Chris Bell pick up

a gift of a try.

Before the match we

were saying it's a huge game for the

Cambridge forwards having watched

them the last few months, having to

bring that intensity, so to drive

Oxford off their own ball, it was

special to score that try. The scrum

half enjoyed that I think.

It's a

generational thing about forward

passes, what are the laws and is it

the hands going forward, the hands

going back? But this was a big

decision here which could have a

major empack on the outcome of the

game. What's your take. -- impact.

I

was jumping for joy seeing Hennessy,

fellow Harlequin, playing in number

12 going under the sticks. Forward

pass. No doubt. Hands were forward.

Ball moved forward as well. That is

a potential game changer that

decision. Oxford will take a lot of

confidence from that going into half

time, would have been two points

down.

We do see a lot of those

given.

In years gone past I expect

everyone, including the referee, had

a few drinks on board before the

game started! It's all changed.

I

know there is a big lunch for teams

that played 50 years ago.

I am

missing out actually!

They're on the port at the moment.

You can go back in a second. Six nil

to Cambridge. One try and a penalty.

Looking at the pictures of that on

u-tube this morning it was 50-000

people or so. When you look at the

place this game has in the rugby

calendar, do you think it should be

moved to a Saturday, or played some

other time to give it more

preeminence or is it here because

history dictates that and that's

fine?

There are so many different

variations around whether you should

play at a different stadium, on a

Saturday. Both of us and everyone

who enjoys the Varsity match it's a

special occasion. Not only to be

part of as a player but also as a

fan. I think it's a unique day out

for objection Fathered and Cambridge

and has its place in the -- day out

for Oxford and Cambridge.

We talk

about the Barbarians, British Lions

and all the matches that happen

outside the domestic leagues and

international calendar. I think the

Varsity match has a place up there

as well. It's a huge tradition, the

history, players who have played

down the years. It's a magnificent

fixture and long may it continue.

Hopefully we can see in years to

come a bigger crowd and get back to

where it was in the 60s, 70s, and

they sell out dwik nap.

It is

interesting because you look at some

of the players who are coming back

to university -- Twickenham. They've

all gone through professional rugby

and are enjoying rugby so much more

rather than pressure cooker of

Premiership rugby, they're saying we

want to play, enjoy it, have a great

time as Jamie did when he was

playing.

Olly Phillips playing at

35, there was a period in the middle

of his career it was all about the

money and all about the result to be

all and end all and he is finishing

his career as he began, for the

sheer love of playing the game, it's

the joy of being a rugby player.

I

will never turning up to training

and lads late because they've had

lectures. They're not getting paid

to play. The result matters but it's

more the friendships and

relationships you form when you are

there. You play for fun. It's purely

for fun. For those lads like Olly

who are going back to do - who have

played professional rugby, it's an

amazing feeling when you are playing

just for fun and for the

relationships you make.

Earlier

today for the third time at

Twickenham the women's match took

place with Cambridge and Oxford.

Here are a couple of the key

moments.

That ball is going to stay inside

the 22. Time for Middleton to run.

One on one. She decides to hack it

on. It's chased. It's into the bread

basket. Gibson still going for the

line. It was made by Middleton.

Gibson will finish it off. What a

final five minutes.

Another Cambridge scrum. Kate Marks

will not get the opportunity. Pass

is away. Off to the far side. It's

in and straight and clear. It's

Nicholls who goes over and that will

be the match now. Time has run out

for Oxford.

The two captains are here with us

now.

The two captains are here with us

now. Obviously one more happy from

the other. What did that mean to you

being out there today and scoring

that try?

It meant so much. I am so

proud of the girls. It was really

tough to take that loss last year

and we did everything that we could

to put us in a position to win back

that trophy and we did. I am

absolutely ecstatic.

Here is your

try. When the ball was kicked here.

Were you thinking Kick It Out of

play?

I was thinking I want to

support Alice. I shoe she would be

able to get around some of their

defence. I wasn't expecting the

kick. As soon as she did it I knew I

had to get there first. Luckily

that's what happened. I had the pace

to finish. It was a little bit

unexpected but we made it work.

That's fine.

Sophie, 0-0 until

almost five minutes before

half-time. It could have gone either

way.

It definitely could. At

half-time we had a massive reset. We

played them as two separate matches.

They were lucky in the last minutes

of the first half. Yeah, I think it

could have gone either way until the

last 20 minutes really.

Tell us

about the conditions. It was pretty

wretched.

When I came off my feet

were squelching so much! Wringing

out all the clothes.

The experience

of playing here, what is it like, a

lot of the team were doing it for

the first time, what have they said

about the vibe?

I mean, it's just an

incredible experience, from start to

finish. I am so lucky this is the

third time I have done it and it

never gets old. Still it's an honour

to be on this pitch, especially to

be scoring tries. But just to be

here and have the whole experience

of playing at Twickenham is a luxury

and we are so lucky to have that.

Are you going to have that try on a

loop and just watch it all night

every night now?

I might watch it a

few more times!

I bet you will.

Thank you for talking to us, have a

great night. Well done to all. The

sport here on BBC television

culminates in Liverpool in ten days'

time.

After races won and medals gained,

records broken and punches thrown,

after the hard yards, hard games are

done, the giants conquered and

trophies etched forever, after the

legends have taken their bow, and

new ones have emerged there is only

one thing left to decide. BBC Sports

Personality of the Year 2017.

Live from Liverpool.

And one or two other things to tell

you about. The Six Nations begins

with Wales and Scotland. What a

fantastic match that is to kick off

the championship.

And snooker follows us here on BBC

Two.

So, just waiting for the players to

come out for the second half. It's

quite - it's a game without any

defined shape in many ways. You

can't say one side is dominant in

any area. What would you have been

saying at half-time from - let's

make you the Oxford captain, what

would you have been saying from that

perspective?

In the last 20 the ball

was flying about, they were keen to

press on. I think you have to

tighten things up and control the

game more than they were in that

first half. Just try and, as Martin

said at the outset, bring order,

first tackles, first set piece,

bring calmness to the play. It's all

over the shop at the moment.

There

is

the magnificently moustacheowed

Waldouck. Let's go back to the

commentary.

COMMENTATOR: There was that glimpse

of Waldouck on in the centre for

Oxford.

Again a player of real talent.

He has played once this season. He

had a back operation in the summer.

It was a doubt whether he might be

on the bench today.

But he is on the pitch now.

And he is on for Moorby, he was

struggling with that shoulder

problem. Carried on now by Wilson.

Good early defensive work from

Cambridge. Still Oxford's ball. That

might be forward. Indeed it was.

Factor always in games will be how

restrictive teams use their bench

but you also have the element of

players who either Orange have

played professional rugby and -- who

either are or have played

professional rugby and see which of

the sides fade in the last 20 which

is inevitable with some of them.

First scrum of the second half.

Oxford seem to have a bit of an

edge.

Less than stable.

Beautiful. The contrast with the

women's game earlier. It's an

example of line consreks. The front

goes through and horrible rain and

wind and afterwards it's colder and

clearer. -- convection. Dear, oh,

dear, I am a tedious man!

Time must

fly by in your house!

That one scrum

lost is the telling one that brought

the try for Chris Bell.

The referee will lose patience.

Come

across.

On this side Henry,

sometimes he gets his head and chest

underneath.

Feet up, same for you.

At other times it's outside. When

that happens it's a weak position

scrummaging wise. If he doesn't stay

in and splits from the hooker, that

means the second row just loses a

shoulder.

Crouch, bind, set.

Penalty this time to Oxford is the

decision. Cambridge felt they were

getting a bit of a squeeze on.

And tempers beginning to just

loosen.

Not driving straight is the

decision. The Cambridge coaching

set-up not entirely happy with that

decision. A chance now for Kearns to

send it to touch. And give the dark

blues the first attacking platform.

Can't see from this side, but the

loose head rolled in. Depends

actually whether he was the first to

go in or he was taken in...

Struggling there, Briggs, but he is

making a record today, 7th

appearance in the Varsity match.

Studying medicine. You can add on

extra courses, study for seven

years. Seven years!

Untidy line out. A chance here.

Plenty of dark blue shirts back

there. One is Kearns.

Comes out to Cambridge. Chip ahead

from Bell. Bell chasing it down

himself.

Enough dark blue bodies back there.

One is David. Back for the 22.

He

was quickly aware of where the space

was. Didn't get the bounce he

wanted.

Does put Cambridge into Oxford

territory.

Height on the restart.

Long and taken by Charlie Amesbury.

Gives it to Richardson.

Goes to ground briefly. But went

backwards. Hunter gathers it in.

Lovely offload now to Koster. Gives

it to Hennessy.

It's been slowed down now. Needs to

be quicker.

Down the blind side they

go through Koster.

Forwards linking up again. Taken in

by Watson.

Phillips gives it on to Burnett.

Hennessy picks and goes himself.

Richardson. Koster. A good hit comes

in. Waldouck getting involved. Now a

chance, a real chance. Carried in by

Russell.

But goes to dark blue hands.

Haven't seen too much of Russell,

Finn Russell's younger brother.

There is Fifita.

Kearns once again, over the head of

Phillips.

A little bit messy at times. Both

sides making mistakes.

Again a

partial break. Good offload. Problem

for Cambridge here is when this

tackle is made they can't get the

ball back quickly.

So Burnett goes to the front. Hunter

was there. Cambridge with a chance

to go again. Tackle flying up from

Kearns. Hennessy slipped past it.

Hunter loses control.

It's a knock on by dark blue.

Cambridge ball then. That

Hunter receiving a check. He has

taken a knock there.

Are you happy, doctor?

The player

wants to go on but the referee

checking with the doctor that he is

OK to continue, which he is.

Knock

on blue. Forward.

Still Cambridge

with a good attacking position here.

Outside the 22 but they've a decent

sized blind side which they seem to

be ignoring moment. The man waiting

to come on is Miller, coming on in

the front row, on for Henry.

So loose head change.

5'7" but he can really get

underneath a tight head.

Ball started at loose head last

year.

That's totally illegal.

It was

a free kick. It's now a penalty.

Through the mark.

He has given it

for pushing early through the mark.

Not only that, Ball's positioning...

Completely illegal, coming from an

angle. That's why the scrum head

side, that's why he got the

purchase, because he is effectively

driving across.

A prop change before

a scrum, it all goes horribly wrong.

Now Mike Phillips hasn't kicked too

well so far from T today for

Cambridge. A chance to stretch the

light blues' lead.

He is happier with that one. Up go

the flags. Cambridge move five

points clear. A puff of the cheeks

from Mike Phillips. Two misses

earlier on, that one will give him

more confidence.

A long restart from Kearns again.

Taken in by Richardson.

He has had a few charging runs

today.

Chris Bell points the way. And sends

it that way to Briggs.

Again good work by Koster. You can

see his rugby quality. Former super

15 player for The Stormers.

Bell sends it high. Good take by

Wilson.

Phillips complaining to the referee.

To no avail. Taken in by Elvin,

Oxford hooker. Deep to Waldouck. Out

it goes. Now to Moor.

Fifita again, the Australian. Oh!

Through the middle. And Wilson now

on the charge. Support outside from

Kearns. Inside now. Miller was

there. Oxford within 12 metres now

of the Cambridge line. Penalty to

Cambridge. Holding on to that ball.

Again we see clean break coming to

nothing.

A man down injured as well.

We will look at that break. But

doesn't look... Looks unpleasant

injury. But it was a wonderful break

by Oxford.

Good line. There was

support on the left. Don't think he

looked.

Wilson to Miller. This was

Wilson.

Is he looking around? No, he

is looking at what's in front. Not

necessarily where the support is.

Although he offloaded the ball, the

better line and support lines were

on the left.

Trying to see who it is

for Cambridge that's down there.

Watson?

It's going to take about

five minutes. Not sure what you are

going to do in terms of keeping warm

and stuff.

I think it is Watson.

The

doctor says it will take about five

minutes, it's up to you in terms of

keeping warm.

Seems to be holding

swappedling to his ear. --

swappedling.

The referee says it

will take about five minutes. That's

the information from the doctor.

Something to do with the neck,

something serious. He is moving his

fingers.

Yes, a knee to the ear.

Sizeable

knee, as well, Fifita.

He did a lot

of the good carrying work for Oxford

in the first half. They'll need him

to do that again.

It is Watson.

Matt Watson.

So Matt Watson is the man down

injured.

Taking every care with him. He knew

instantly, felt it on his knee.

Didn't look too bad but clearly has

done some damage. This is the try

for Bell earlier. The Cambridge

scrum, we were talking about Atsu

half-time, as well, Oxford had a

good scrum but that one went

horribly wrong.

Normally from a

tight head you want to be down and

low, he got in under to lift. The

Oxford loose head. Once you are out

the side there, not only are you

ineffective, but the platform for

the second row, you know, on your

right, it leaves you completely and

nothing you can do. Scrum is going

to go back once you split the hooker

and loose head like that.

Putting a neck brace on as well. You

hope... Hope is the wrong word to

use, you hope it's the superficial

injury. Something to his ear rather

than anything more serious.

Sometimes when you see them putting

on the neck brace... They have to go

through all these precautions, of

course. It's going to be a long

break here, everyone keeping warm.

After we restart, keep the momentum

going.

Three purported scores. That

was definitely an elbowing touch.

Amesbury couldn't get that down.

Then we had Hennessy as well.

You

can see the runner just overruns.

Just by a fraction.

It was mad once

he was the link man, he's the man

down, still receiving treatment.

Doctor said it would take a good few

minutes. They've been holding his

head in position all that time. It's

not too serious. The younger brother

of Finn Russell. He plays in the

Scottish club league. Played a game

with Finn when Finn Russell was

coming back from injury, played

together. They haven't had much to

do in this game, Russell, not too

many interventions.

This is an

important time in the game. By that

I mean when long breaks like this

take place, unfortunately they have

two when you have medical

situations. Once I'd always comes

out the better. One side responds

more quickly. Doesn't matter whether

you go drills, having a chat. It

invariably happens.

We talked about

the physicality of the game at

half-time. There have been some huge

ships coming in. Double tackles as

well. The art of the modern game,

low and high. Didn't even have the

ball. But a good game as well. Just

five points the difference. As Brian

was saying, after the restart, a

long bit of treatment to Matt

Watson. It imperative... It's like

going out for the start of the game

again, concentrating on the first

ten minutes, then going hard.

Starting from scratch can be very

difficult.

Still wondering what the

significance of those... The missed

conversion and the missed penalty by

Mike Phillips might be. The

converted score will see Oxford go

in front, had he kicked his kicks.

They'd be five points further up.

Therefore beyond that. Needing two

scores for Oxford to overhaul them.

Mike Phillips landed his last kick.

He did it too early. One is a missed

conversion, missed penalty. They

weren't the most difficult kicks. It

should come down to a matter of fine

margins later. This wasn't too far

wide. His conversion earlier on was.

A 5-point game. Players applauding

off their team-mate, only now

leaving the field. Just being loaded

onto the body. There is Dom Waldouck

in the foreground. Just looking at

the list of international players

who played in this fixture, as Matt

Watson takes his applause, we wish

him all the very best. There really

is a list of the great and good of

rugby. Gavin Hastings was a captain,

of a winning Cambridge side in 1995.

You're looking quizzical.

I'm

wondering what course they did.

A

sad sight for Matt Watson, receiving

all the care he should. We hope it's

not too serious. He's certainly

played his part in this game, some

big, big carriers. A carry in that

try, chalked off for Jake Hennessey.

I don't know what his degree was.

English. I think it was a proper

course. Gavin did land economy.

Did

look too straight from Cambridge at

the line-out. That's fine, says the

referee. It from Mike Phillips. The

mark just called by Sam Edgerley. He

knew where he was. We chuckle at

land economy, I'm sure it's a

valuable sportsman's degree. Gavin

Hastings is watching, cursing at the

television.

Charlie Amesbury is

doing a Masters in social innovation

can I have no idea what that is.

Hopefully he does by this stage of

his degree. Social innovation. Taken

well by Cambridge. We talk about the

importance of the restart, getting

into the flow of the game again. A

good hit, Stephen Leonard. Alun Wyn

Jones and George Norton went to

school there. Richardson again.

Leonard once more. Andrew Hunter,

Cambridge linking well, lovely from

Russell. The pass wasn't so good.

Despite the attempt to control from

Henry King, it's in Oxford hands

now. Sam Baldock sees the space.

Outside, not quite, -- Waldouk sees

the space. Scrum for Cambridge. Just

had to juggle. No excuse for that

kind of pass. Nor indeed that sort

of drop. The former Heineken Cup

winner with Wasps, Dom Waldouck.

Former Saracens Premiership winner

Andy Saull.

I was going to say it was for

Movember, but we've moved beyond

Movember, so he has no excuse, Dom

Waldouck. Phillips gives it deep,

the chance for Cambridge. Amesbury

hitting the line from full-back,

onto Archie Russell. Cambridge

pouring into secure this ball. Saull

trying to get his hands on, can't

get it there. Nick Koster, the

second row. Will Briggs. Briggs

still going, not quite held.

Cambridge with a 5-point lead

looking for another try. There is

Russell, Russell Grant the outside.

A score for Cambridge, Archie

Russell has their second. Cambridge

moving further clear.

Cambridge very

narrow in attack for a moment. I

thought they would have to drive

close. Eventually we managed to

regroup out wide left. Simple art,

well taken. Well recognised by the

scrum-half, to take the right

option, the correct option.

His

brother take so many of the

headlines in rugby these days. Finn

Russell. Archie Russell getting the

try, the second try for Cambridge.

The other problem that caused that

Fox had was the defensive line

wasn't flat, it was dog lead.

Won

the Scottish Premiership title last

year with air. Had to get a first

class honours degree in chemical

engineering at Strathclyde to get

into Cambridge. -- with Ayr.

Cambridge is now ten points clear.

You can see Ed Davey two yards

behind. The inside defender gives

the natural arc. Space for Russell.

He was good enough to take

advantage.

Hops away from the touchline.

Edgerley comes forward. Tries to

skip his way around Henry Rose, who

is on the field for Matt Watson.

Receiving treatment deep inside the

stadium. Here is Waldouck, he loops

it out to Dan Moor, who stabs it

forward. Amesbury weights. Good take

by Kershaw. Into Edgerley. Stileman.

Powerful winger. Still going, lovely

work to Will Wilson. Stileman the

man of the match a couple of years

ago. We saw his power on the wing.

He's gathering it up now, tries to

drive his way up over the halfway

line. Kershaw calling in support.

Kieran Ball now. Oxford have to find

something. Ten points adrift. Kearns

sees a bit of space over the head of

Henry King. It sits nicely for

Oxford. King has to be lively now.

He's under all sorts of pressure.

Mother is there. The other dark

shirts arrive. -- Moor is there.

Down to ground goes Buchan

Richardson. And the boot just

teasing it out. Saull comes through.

Cambridge under pressure. They have

the ball, the forwards, though.

Inside their own 22. Bell sends up

the box-kick. Taken by Edgerley.

Flings it infield. Will Wilson has

been lined up. Bundling forward,

great run by Wilson. Oxford on the

front foot again. Kearns trying to

dig his way in, off-loads it now.

Couldn't get his hands on it is Hugo

McPherson. Cambridge have it anyway.

Amesbury from a standing start. Wall

dog gets to him. That is not on all

the way back from Oxford. Gives

Cambridge the scrum. Inside their

own 22, great work by Will Wilson.

A

clear line break, he needs to be

supported. You have to say Cambridge

have scrambled well in defence.

Ceded ground occasionally from

primary phases. Scrambled well.

Hugo

McPherson on the field. Six foot

seven of him, studying theology. A

former London Irish under 18 's man.

Looks like Will Briggs is down

injured again. Will Thornton... Rob

Talotti is coming off.

Ready to play

on? Come on then.

Will Briggs is

fine to carry on. His seventh

Varsity match.

He is an alumnus from

Rob Carling's old school. He got

into Durham, he got into Cambridge.

I don't think you'll get an ordinary

degree either.

Hello, welcome if

you're watching. -- Will Carling. I

remember watching Gavin Hastings's

run a touch in a later match.

Pressure on the Cambridge scrum

here. A few replacements on.

Cambridge in bits and pieces here.

Oxford going at an angle. The

referee says, we'll reset.

The

referee, I don't blame them, he's

not on this side, but the assistant

referee who is should surely be able

to see the scrummaging angle. Of

Kieran Ball. Who has moved from

loose too tight. He's come across

this side. It should be obvious now.

It's not straight.

Let's walk it

over, walk it over, boys, says

Kieran Ball. That is the plan. They

want to be strike against the head

here. A Cambridge ball. The referee

Christophe Ridley keeping a close

eye on things this side of the scrum

this time.

Cambridge come away with Buchan

Richardson again. Shrugs off the

tackle first of all of Saull. Again,

Cambridge, this time through Henry

Rose. The Oxford defence smothering

this Cambridge side. Not letting

them away from their own 15 metres.

Up it goes from Chris Bell.

Galloping forward. Edgerley takes

it. Penalty to Oxford. A decision to

be made here. 18 minutes to go.

Feels the forwards have the edge.

Ed Elvin looks like he's down

injured at the moment. The Oxford

hooker. News on that injury to Matt

Watson.

Is still in the medical room