Oxford v Cambridge - Men Rugby Union Varsity Match

Six weeks ago, beneath glorious blue summer skies, New Zealand beat

Australia hit at Twickenham to become rugby world champions. This

afternoon, with more than a hint of winter in the air, it is a different

occasion, the 134th Varsity winter in the air, it is a different

between Oxford and Cambridge. Over the years, many of the greats of the

game have graced this match. The line is clear for Hastings. He has

struck that well. What about that? A tremendous surge to the line. Great

dummy. The World Cup winning captain, David Kirk, from New

Zealand. This will be the third try, Andrew. Off the post. He is in the

corner. A magnificent try. Brilliant from Stuart Barnes. Wainwright for

the posts. Butler wins it at the tail. It is a race and in goes

Smith. That seals it for Oxford. Underwood is there.

Six weeks ago it was green and gold and black, a glorious afternoon, you

barely needed a sweater. Today it is light blue and dark blue but a coat

is not optional and the one link to the World Cup is that three months

after being part of the Wales team that beat England, Jamie Roberts

starts for Cambridge and for the majority of those here, he is the

centre of attention. If he can guide Cambridge to victory, he will bring

to an end a depressing run of results for the Light Blues. The

cumulative score for the last five games is 151-60 in favour of Oxford.

With us today are two men who in their days of freshfaced youth

played in this occasion, Simon Halliday and Damian Hopley. What are

your memories of your days here? Not very successful and! We lost two out

of three and the last one I played in was snow-covered when they

brought on hot water at half-time to warm up our hands. There was ice on

the ball throughout the match and we lost. There is proof of global

warming! We thrashed Oxford by about seven points in 1992. It was a

special occasion, playing with great friends, so unique because the whole

season depends on this. And a lifelong memory that will stay with

you in a positive way having enjoyed a victory also what is the relevance

of this game now, 20 years into the professional era? Is it just stick

for the guys on the field? Of course, it is the biggest day of

their rugby career. -- domestic for the guys. It almost used to be an

England trial and many internationals graced the fixture

but it still has a place because we should not forget, 99% of people in

this country play rugby for fun. Losing a fixture like this would be

a disaster. It has not just an emotional place but a rightful

place. And the whole thing about friends for life can I assume you

are in contact with the people you played with? Very much so. We are

catching up tomorrow for a good Christmas lunch. It's important,

sometimes we lose sight of the enjoyment factor in rugby but up we

saw it in the World Cup it is important everybody enjoys it and

this is part of it. Is Jamie Roberts a bit of a throwback to that? He is.

The top names happened always done the job in Varsity matches.

Particularly in the centre. He will be marketed big-time. He is not

necessarily the defining moment of the fixture but for him to be

playing is amazing. We will talk more about this game and we will

hear from Jamie Roberts but we have had a match on the pitch already

which was the first time ever at the women's Varsity match has been

played here. The 29th occasion it was staged and here are the best

moments. Good work by the scrum-half to tidy

up, it wasn't well-controlled. It is still in the air, now it goes down.

The referee will let it play, picked up around the corner again. Someone

has done over the top, advantage, it comes out to this side and Middleton

is over! Try for Cambridge, the first points of the match and it has

done to Alice Middleton. It was coming, Cambridge have had all the

pressure. The backline starting to flow, the forwards got stuck in and

quick ball, it comes to Wilson and she has been making inroads that she

uses good hands, Wilson, McNally, Middleton and she finishes it, and

easy finish in the end. First blood to Cambridge and they have had all

the pressure so far. Cambridge looking for the options at the

moment, it could be on on the far side, Lara Gibson running down the

far side for the second Cambridge try. She gets as close to the post

as possible, Lara Gibson, 22 years of old, she goes over for the second

try. Someone tell her she's allowed to smile! She has just scored at

Twickenham in the Varsity match! You could see the Oxford defence got a

bit sucked in. Cambridge moved it out wide into the open spaces. Grant

was out of position because she was trying to cover inside and it leaves

Gibson that bit of space. She had a lot to do to finish it off. She pins

her ears back and sprints through that tackle and passed the

despairing tackle of Trott at full-back and almost under the

posts. Taken on, just outside the 22. Thorn looks up and finds Wilson,

she comes away, well picked up by McNally, out to the far side and it

is Gibson again. Good backtracking by Oxford. Can Cambridge get quick

ball? It came through Cambridge, Cooper has it. The support is there,

it comes through Elgar. It has been knocked on. They have gone over and

the referee has given it! It popped out of contact and the referee said

it did not go forward. That is an easy pick-up and over. Think about

the amount of phases that went into that come up but I think it did go

forward. Unlucky for Oxford but Cambridge made it by stringing

together dozens of phases and that is no exaggeration, they went all

the way from their own 22, kept their patience and ended up scoring

almost under the posts. For a nominal rugby from Cambridge.

Cambridge sniffing out a fourth try. That has gone backwards. Penalty to

Cambridge, that was the warning. The referee was playing advantage. What

defence from Oxford. They have not gone for the scrum, they need to get

it out quickly, Middleton again! What an afternoon it has been for

Doctor Alice Middleton. It was coming. Cambridge were building

pressure and in the end it was the midfield combination. Wilson and

McNally and Middleton have been so strong. Nice and low she gets.

Helping out Randall who is playing scrum-half. Down the line, McNally

gets it out. She will try to hand off as much as she can but there are

too many Oxford players but she is still going. Just short of the line.

Withers. Randall again. Charlotte edgily can't quite get over. They

have numbers on the far side. Do they need them? No, they don't!

Cambridge are over again for try number five. I think it was Wilson

in the end. She has spent so much of the day making ground and passing

off to team-mates but this time she gets the glory, cutting inside and

invading a couple of tackles to get over.

Good support as Cooper took it Sophie Trott is up now. Once again

it is Wilson who is on fire, she is still going, she has just scored and

she wants another! Wilson goes over, two tries in two macro minutes, what

an afternoon for Anna Wilson. What a try to score at Twickenham. A real

solo effort. She has worked so hard for the team this afternoon, winning

hard yards but this was all about her. A full 55 metres, darting in

and out. Middleton now working their way

through, still going, Middleton, is she on for the hat-trick? She is

still going, Oxford desperately trying to get back, but Middleton

gets her hat-trick! The 28-year-old who has been a solid throughout the

match, she goes over for her third try and Cambridge are up to 45

points. Cambridge looking deadly. Looking for the record here as well.

It is placed back by Randall. They have got numbers but it is Wilson

again, she is going, will this be the record? She is on for a

hat-trick as well. It will be a record scoreline in the women's

Varsity match as Cambridge notched up half a tonne against Oxford. It

is all about Anna Wilson and Alice Middleton for Cambridge in this

second half, two brilliant strike runners who have really shown what

they can do. Oxford missing first up tackles and when you do that, it

left image in De the far too much to do -- Imogen Duffy. Wilson is such a

strong runner, so difficult to bring down.

It was very much like blue day for the women, a record winning margin.

The captains are here with us to share their recollections of being

part of a moment of history here. One is rather more happy than the

other. Congratulations, how was it? Thank you, it was such an exciting

day. Obviously Oxford but their hearts and souls on the pitch and

played an amazing game so we had to battle for it and I'm really pleased

with how it turned out. Winning so convincingly, the last 20 minutes,

did you get a chance to look around and think, I'm playing at

Twickenham. It was such an incredible experience in general, to

step out onto this pitch, you want to take it in and savour it. Who

knows when we will be back? I suspect your recollections might be

different but you will still look back as being part of a important

moment for the sport. It is a huge moment for women's rugby and if we

have managed to inspire some young girls and women to follow their

academic and sporting dreams and play on a big stage like this then

we have done a good job. I must ask you, you are from Canada, we are

used to the men's team playing internationally and obviously in the

World Cup. What is the state of women's rugby in Canada? It is doing

wonderfully. They came second to England in the last World Cup two

years ago. I started in high school and it is really competitive, I did

not make my university team. So I came over and battled into the

Cambridge team and that was a big moment for me. And what got you

interested in the game? I really wanted to play right from school and

there weren't that many opportunities back then both up it

was the first thing I did in University. I have been playing ever

since. And in years to come, what will be your abiding memory of the

day, putting the rugby to one side? For me, it is bringing a team here,

a fairly inexperienced team that we have got together in the last nine

months. They have all been so focused and trained so hard full

stop to have them run out on the pitch and give everything, I'm happy

with that. And a final word to the winner, what will your up biting

memory be? -- abiding? Lifting the trophy with the team, rewarding

those girls for their hard work. I know Oxford has been training just

as hard as is so it's too bad there aren't two trophies because

everybody played their hearts out. It was a great spectacle,

congratulations, a great day will stop moving onto the men's game

which, in the last five years, has been very much a dark blue monopoly.

Oxford's recent run again with a comfortable win in 2010.

The 130th match was taken by the Dark Blues when Tom Mitchell scored

to take Oxford to victory. Trailing at half-time, the Dark Blues

completed a dramatic comeback to make it three in a row. In 2013,

victory came despite the first ever sending off in the history of the

game. It made no difference in the end as the Dark Blues won again. The

victory last year was the biggest in the history of the match, Oxford

running in seven tries and they now have a chance of an unprecedented

sixth consecutive victory. There is the Oxford team warming up

behind us. Somebody who would love to have been not just in the middle

of that is the Oxford captain, George Messam, who should have been

captaining his team today but because of an interesting role, you

have been denied the opportunity to lead Oxford out. What happened in

the last 12 months there have been changes to the Blues eligibility

across all Oxford and Cambridge sports. We were aware of it and by

the time it got to that point, it was a bit of race to get on a

course. I was massively disappointed at first, but it has engendered the

real spirit of the group. It has shown the best from the group. Henry

will be fantastic today. You have been captain all the way until today

so part of you must be thinking that you ought to be out there. What

about Oxford's chancers? The bookies have you as favourites. What has

been challenging and exciting about this year is that we have guys from

a huge spectrum of backgrounds, some winning their first Blue, some that

sixth but it is such a unique opportunity for them to come

together. I would like to think that we had a huge emphasis on player of

element and enjoyment. We have been happy to go under the radar little

bit, going about our business and putting in the hard work when nobody

is watching. Very excited. Thank you for the thing to us. More than

interested bystander. Somebody who will be doing their utmost to make

sure Oxford don't make it six in a row is Jamie Roberts. The last

active British Lionhearts to play in this match was Hugo McNeil of

Ireland 32 years ago -- British Lion.

Congratulations, you have been selected to represent Cambridge

University in the Varsity match. Was it ever in doubt? Probably! I was

delighted to get the nod. It is a big game, the boys are looking

forward to it. We had dinner the other night. The boys from previous

years spoke about the occasion and what it meant to them. Some of the

lads have lost the last five matches to Oxford. We need to win it for

them more than anyone. Is there not some old ritual whereby it is made

known you have been selected? Yes, the captain cycles around everyone's

house! That is on the Sunday morning. The colleges are quite

spread out here. He cycled around and knocks on the door and

congratulates everyone. I was actually in London on Saturday night

and Sunday so I got a phone call, I was not here for the traditional

ritual. It's difficult, the captain picks the team traditionally. He has

to make some tough calls and a lot of the boys share houses also there

was one house where two of the lads had not been picked and two macro

were so it is quite difficult for the captain. It is tough to leave

out colleagues and friends. What must be tougher is barking orders to

someone who is a British and Irish Lion, a Grand Slam winner who has

just come back from the World Cup. It's fine, I'd like being shouted

that when I make mistakes, it into ridges you not to do it again. We

all make mistakes. -- it encourages you. And he clearly likes putting

pressure on himself, not content with being a qualified doctor and

international rugby player, he will be combining his professional career

with a two-year masters course. It was interesting how that stage can

develop without pain. That is the problem. Sometimes a true Mitic

episode can cause that onset. -- traumatic episode.

I have these images of you swaggering around like a celebrity

and serenading the girls with your guitar! It's not like that! I stand

out here listening to the choir practising in the chapel which is

pretty impressive. Look, it's been great to have a bit of a throwback

to student life. I was a fresher a decade ago at Cardiff, it feels like

it was only yesterday but to have a taste of that again for a short

period has been amazing. I'm really hungry to get back into the

professional routine and meet my new Harlequins team-mates and get going.

They've had a great start and I want to help them push to silverware. His

sole focus now is Twickenham on Thursday, a place he is more than

familiar with having won club trophies, Triple Crowns and World

Cup matches there but for most of his team-mate it is a

once-in-a-lifetime experience. For the lads in the team, it might be

the only time they play there. You have to appreciate that. And really

try to give everything to help those boys achieve their dreams. Dan

Vickers meant was captain when we last won in 2009 and he went on to

play in a World Cup. -- Vickerman. The picture of him lifting the

trophy is pretty iconic around here. It is a big game. To play in a match

with so much history, I want to win and help these boys with it. Damien,

one man doesn't make a team but how much can the alkalis Cambridge to

end this run? -- can he galvanise. He has been such an inspiration, the

impact he has and the Corinthian spirit he brings, that it will be

hard. I have watched the last few games as Oxford have taken Cambridge

apart. I suspect it will be won upfront like most matches so if they

can provide some sort of platform for him to create space as he does

in every match, they have a good opportunity. The nature of

University sport is that it is a changing landscape, huge variation

in the teams every year so how much do the successes of the last five

years have any bearing? The last time they brought in a big name was

the last time they won the Game five years ago. They will be hoping it

happens again. It is not always the big names that dominate. They

attract the attention, but sometimes it is the unseen work of others on

the pitch who can make the difference. Obviously Jamie is a big

physical presence but Matt Janney on the opposite side, this is his

fourth match, he will be after him and he will love the challenge. I

won't ask you the obvious question of who you think will win. But an

interesting match ahead. The game is being shown in many countries all

over the world. Andrew Cotter and Brian Moore will have a global

audience when they commentate in just a few moments.

The players gathered for the match between Oxford and Cambridge. He

must score! Oxford had the advantage. The Dark Blues had been

tipped as winners but it did not work out that way. One of the

greatest tries in a Varsity match. COMMENTATOR: Not quite six weeks

since Australia and the All Blacks stood in this tunnel before the

World Cup final. This match is certainly one that can live with any

for intensity of rivalry. And the familiar figure of Jamie Roberts

will have many eyes on him today. Perhaps the quality might not be the

same but an interesting line-up, we will get the thoughts of Brian Moore

in a few moments. We have seen a one-sided encounter in the women's

Varsity match, Cambridge winning 52-0 will stop Jamie Roberts has

been on many pictures in many shirts and here he will get ready to do his

very best for Cambridge -- pitches. Before the match, we're going to

have a moment 's silence. 55 Blues for Oxford and Cambridge died in the

Great War and we will remember them before this match. Ladies and

gentlemen, we ask you to stand for a moment 's silence to remember the 55

Blues who lost their lives during World War I.

APPLAUSE The names of those Blues, those 55

men who lost their lives, were projected onto the screen here at

Twickenham. And before kick-off, time for the national anthem.

CHEERING It is a time of year for tradition

and as they go, this is long-standing, the 134th match.

Oxford are going for a record sixth win in a road but this is a doughty

Cambridge line-up. Oxford had a late disruption with the loss of their

captain, George Messum. Richie Halpin has made it after completing

an exam this morning. And think about the task for Henry Lamont in

the centre, not huge, just five foot eight and directly opposite Jamie

Roberts. For Cambridge, there is that visitor

from another sporting world with them today, but there is not much

that Roberts could do by himself if the Light Blues pack fails. There's

a large professional element in the second row as a former Munster

player, Ian Nagle. These are the replacements. Number 22 for

Cambridge, came chard lips as well as Jamie Roberts, but he is a

19-year-old medical student. The referee of this one, Greg

Garner. We are just about ready for the 134th edition. WHISTLE

A little beep of the referee POP MUSIC watch, modern times, and away

they go. And immediate mistake from the Oxford wing, Henry Hughes. A

knock-on, is there a chance for Cambridge to launch the first

attack? There is a first sighting of Jamie Roberts. Looking to do some

damage in the Oxford defensive midfield. Stephens, the South

Africa, formerly of Stellenbosch. Henry Lamont, the captain has taken

a bit of a battering, Roberts, a loose pass from Jamie Roberts.

Didn't go forward, a shuffle from Stileman. His father Will played for

both Oxford and Cambridge, one of the few to have done so. I think

Henry Lamont is still down, struggling. So Cambridge attacking

15-14 at the moment. Wide it goes. Roberts is down. Taken down well by

Fraser Gillies. And then the carry by Max Montgomerie. Belfast born

student. A bit of confusion. The pass went just beyond Daniel Dass.

Oliver Clough set it back. Stephens the side put food on ball but easily

gathered. -- Stephen IS. Geiger can fly but not when he is met by Dave

Spellman. Still without their captain Henry Lamont. He is still

down. And Simon Davies. A frenetic start to this game. Two solid

minutes of entertaining play and still Oxford with 14 men. Not sure

Henry Lamont will play too much more of a role in this game. A chip over

the top by the cane which captain Don Stephens. His opposite number to

Barker. Cambridge with it. Jamie Roberts, space appearing out wide.

Roberts manages to off-load in the tackle. Step and go by Cherezov but

he is punched back well by Fergus Taylor. Lamont is leaving the field

so Oxford will lose their captain early on. Cambridge now still

attacking with that extra man. Max Montgomerie.

As the captain trudges off. Rather forlorn figure. His side tried to

find some way out of their own 22. And eventually the ball is out.

Three minutes. We haven't heard from Brian Moore. That is a blessing,

some people would say. You use the word frenetic and you are right.

This is what this particular game is all about. Quite often it is. That

is Lamont getting run over by Jamie Roberts. If you see this here, a

wasted opportunity, men out there. That is a shocking pass. Shocking

pass. At the end of the day, what has to happen, one side has to

settle down. At the moment this is Herremans Geraint, 100 mph stuff.

They need to have more poise, and understand that when Roberts makes

ground, which he will do, it is what you do after that. Do you have the

plan, when ground is made? A replacement for Henry Lamont has

come on. David has come on. He has come on on the wing. So a bit of a

reshuffle in the midfield for Oxford. Cambridge till with the

early ball. Dave Spelman, former Durham University player, England

student tight head. Sam Farmer was once in the Northampton Academy,

tipped for great things. There is Roberts. The ball comes back for the

Light Blues. Eventually the decision is a tipped over the top from

Gillies but taken down nicely. First real opportunity to try and build an

attack, Oxford. Fergus Taylor takes it in. Just about five minutes gone.

Well picked up. A little chip over the top and it was for the chasing

man, beautiful play by Matt Janney. Jobs: is there. Janney, a Georgian

sevens player. -- George Cullen is there. Had Oxford been able to get

quick ball from a ruck, they had significant advantage out on the

left, probably three men over. Couldn't do it, gave a penalty away.

The last passage of play from Cambridge, Roberts attracted five

players on his own into that last breakdown. Cambridge when it came

back didn't seem to know where and what they were going to do. Mike

Janney. I mentioned he was a Georgian sevens player. Also dated

Emma Watson for a while. That is a bit of showbiz gossip for you that

you probably didn't want -- Matt Janney. The Oxford hooker. The man

who was sitting an exam this morning, a helicopter down the road

and here he is. Fraser Heathcote. Number eight.

A tackle that was taken. Taken down by Cherezov. Did well here, was the

only chaser. Kept him in field. There would have been no one there

to exploit that particular chase. I get the impression that a lot of

kicking from the scrum-half thus far has been completely off-the-cuff,

players not in position to chase, sometimes not chasing at all. That

has to change. Halpin can't find his man so the early line-out struggling

by both sides. Taken by Ian Nagle. Nagle another one of the very

experienced players. He was man of the match for Munster against

Australia, went over to Australia in 2010 and he is going back to play

professional rugby after he has finished his time at Cambridge. A

good bit of experience in the pack and in midfield. Got hammered up

front last year and indeed they have had a hard time in the four previous

fixtures so they needed to do something about it. Disappointing, a

penalty and he has kicked it 15 metres. Let's see how the line-out

fares this time. The dive pass from Stephen IS sort of works. -- from

Stephens. Stevens -- Stevens. A bit of attention from Matt Janney.

Again, it ruins any running lines that were set up. As soon as the

ball goes down everyone is at least three yards out of kilter.

Halpin goes to the front this time. Fergus Taylor.

It is working well for Oxford. They get a penalty.

Kicked for touch from George Cullen. Scored 18 points last year. His

father has been in this fixture but for Cambridge, played three times

scrum-half for Cambridge. He was actually turned down entry to

Cambridge, so he has registers on his side, it is one he badly wants

to win. We have all been turned down by some Oxbridge college or other. I

think I was turned down by Dundee! Taken down, Nick Roberts-Huntley is

actually a friend of Jamie Roberts, from Cardiff University days.

Heading backwards at the moment. Good work by George Cullen, making

ground. Trying a more direct approach, Henry the Barker. -- --

Henry De Berker. Cabbage's defence being tested for the first time. A

little carried by Will Wilson, the youngest man in either side, the

18-year-old. Shuffled around in midfield and then Nick

Roberts-Huntley takes it to ground. Ten minutes have passed, still

awaiting the first score. Oxford just feeling their way into this

game. Not too much progress from Andrew Grant. The penalty is

therefore the Dark Blues. Kickable range. Better patterns from Oxford,

one of the problems they have got though is when they come into

contact they are not getting over the gain line. Two captains down

there for Oxford. Henry Lamont being consoled. Matt Janney is the captain

on the field, we understand, but they are expending captains at the

moment. They lost a key figure in George Mason, then Henry Lamont with

the injury. A penalty for dangerous play. Leg lifted up. Couldn't see

too much in that myself. It was a team that developed rather strongly

at the World Cup, dangerous play has been cracked down upon in all parts

of the game. George Cullen with the chance of the first points of this

134th Varsity match. It was sort of dying as it went over

but it was straight and true. Three points to Oxford. They have the lead

with 11 and a half minutes gone at Twickenham. They will be very

pleased about that because Cambridge have only had the better of the

exchanges up to that point. Oxford only a couple of incursions into the

Cambridge half, and they come away with a point. Cambridge still to

register. Taken down well as he was scampering back, Lewis Anderson, a

veteran of this fixture, appearing in his sixth Varsity match will stop

he really should get a job but he has been around a long time, Storl

what of the front row. -- Storl what -- Storl of the front row.

I say veteran comedy 25. -- style that -- style

Cambridge try their hand at the ball. -- at the maul. Oxford

beginning to splinter. Cambridge making real yardage. Frustration in

the Oxford side, the Dark Blues, a walk to the line for Cambridge will

stop they are closing in within ten metres now. What could Oxford do?

Down it goes, Dass still with it. Stevens, the captain digging in for

it, but it is picked up by the forwards instead. And they are

getting closer. Great effort by the forwards. And they keep it within

themselves at the moment. It is all the heavy men for Cambridge, wide it

goes, a great hit comes in from I think it was the Oxford winger,

Henry Hughes. Still, though, Cambridge threatening this line, a

couple of metres short, carried for the moment by Spillman. -- Spellman.

A lot of space on the left of their recognise it. Too late. They are

still closing, now Stephens moves it, tries to make his own way

through, Fraser Gillies, held up short, desperate Oxford defence.

The Dark Blues have the applause. Ended by Oxford. That man was at the

heart of it. Huge hit coming in. Did so many things right. Giving direct

and tight. Do you go all the way all released the ball when the other

teams on the back foot? They would have been better to do that because

once they had dragged everyone in, they close down all the options out

wide, had to stay narrow. When they did recognise there was a bit of

width, it was too late, the ball was too slow and they were covered. They

will have another go at that driving maul, I'm Cambridge. Big hits came

in. Oxford with the ball. The first scrum of the match, 15 minutes gone.

Pick up at the back by Fraser Heathcote. This will be a very

different game to that last year, the record win for Oxford. Cambridge

full-back Simon Davies thinks better of the quick throw. Already signs

that this Cambridge pack in particular is different to that of

last year. It needed to be. Heathcote doing well in the end,

probably better just to get the flank onto him, get the scrum-half

onto him. As it was, when the Cambridge left side came up, he had

to go right round. He was lucky he wasn't caught on his own try line.

Dave Spelman takes a bit of a thumb. Managers to get the ball back for

Cambridge again. Oxford have the lead but they have spent much of

this half, much of the opening 16 minutes in their own half. Sam

Farmer, number eight for the Light Blues, then Stevens again. Gillies

gives it at close quarters. A bit of a standstill.

A good steel, says the referee. Had to be. On the back foot. Henry

Hughes in defence and now attack. Good strength. As Matt Janney comes

away with it, the referee a little knock-on, it will be a Cambridge

scrum. Tremendous rubbing work on the floor. Totally isolated, took on

three or four K Bridge players, came away with the ball -- Cambridge

players. Cambridge are making breaks, the problem for them, that

is a great steel, when they do get the ball they do not seem to have

any real understanding of where they are trying to go after that. They

are making the ground, getting over the gain line consistently when the

tackles are coming in and yet nothing is coming of it. You look at

the scoreboard if you are a Cambridge fan, you will be

disappointed, but you will be heartily encouraged by what you have

seen on the pitch so far. And like all games there will be a time when

Oxford are in the ascendancy, when they have a period where they have

ball in the right areas, in the right territory, and Cambridge

simply have to put points on the board when they get anywhere near in

try scoring or goal-kicking range will stop James Shanahan, the

Cambridge coach. We saw James Wade for Oxford before that. And again,

more consolation for Henry Lamont. It looked like a shoulder injury.

But again, deeply, deeply frustrating. The start of the last

three matches. This one he was off within about a minute. This is the

first scrum on Cambridge ball. They will be looking to be solid, because

in the fixture last year they got hammered. The story about Ian

Williams, the Oxford tight head. Yes, forced a very early

substitution of the Cambridge captain. He really did have the best

of that day. Again, a very different Cambridge pack this year. Seems to

be going down again in the front row. More settled now. Cambridge

with the better of this one. Comfortable ball for Stevens, once

he stops chirping away. He thought the Oxford scrum-half was

encroaching. Clough. The less heralded centre in the Cambridge

midfield. Good carried by James Kielt

Oxford still with that slender lead, that one bounty from George Cullen.

-- one penalty. Stevens gives it deep, running on the Cherezov on the

wing. Hands on it from Oxford. WHISTLE

I was going to say it might have been a fair steel but penalty.

Confusion again from Cambridge once a break was made. Roberts attracting

two tacklers struggling to get away. When the ball came right, you had a

winger, and you had three lumbering forwards who were the only option to

go right. They were too far behind play and again Cambridge make the

initial incursion, but they cannot do anything thereafter. There he is,

he will be heading off to Harlequins as soon as this match is done, he

will join up with his Harlequins team-mates, in the days to come. I

think he will play against coders are no next week in the Challenge

Cup for Harlequins. So all change. His course becomes part-time after

this full-time term, then over the next two years he will do a day a

week, working at Addenbrooke's. Turnover. Roberts ships it wide to

his partner in midfield, Robert Clough, again. James Kilroe. Dass

tries to slithered away to Gillies. Sam Farmer again. 3-0 to Oxford. 20

minutes gone. A high tackle, you would think, coming in on Rob Paul.

It was Cullen leaping into the challenge but it was fine, says the

referee. Spelman covers again. Stevens gives it to Gillies.

Roberts. Men out wide for Cambridge. Farmer taken down well. Good tackle

by Matt Janney. Still Cambridge, their possession stats are rather

impressive. And a carry again, James Kilroe. There is Roberts. Lovely

little move, was the pass for what? No. Carried on by Simon Davies, the

full-back, with a red touch of the ball. Once again deep into the 20 go

Cambridge. Roberts -- into the 22 go Cambridge. Roberts into the clash.

Still Cambridge with no points to show for all of their efforts,

though. 22 minutes gone. A great rearguard effort so far from Oxford.

Here is Kilroe again. Penalty coming. The advantage was there, the

penalty is there, they will now surely have three points but the

very least they would feel they deserve for all their efforts, all

that territory and possession. And again making significant ground. In

and around and through tackles. When you are talking about a fixture like

this, there are so much adrenaline going, working up to it, that the

ball is just being spread around, the kicking game has been

nonexistent. Whilst you can say it has attracted the balls in hand, the

kicking part of the game is a variety that is necessary to pull

people in and around the back threes and salon so they have something to

think about. At the moment all they have to think about is ball being

moved and shovelled down the centres. Stevens to try and level

things up. CHEERING

Through it goes. Three points up on the broad for Cambridge. And again,

after last year POP MUSIC Zog, a 43-6 win the Oxford. It is clear for

all to see this year will be very different. Cambridge will be

relieved to get points on the board. They probably should have had more,

but at least they are now level, at least they do have a reward for some

of their efforts. Maybe that will settle them down.

Long restart by Cullen. Taken by Gillies. He had a year at Racing

Metro but it was as a 17 or 18-year-old when he was in France,

not sure he broke into the first-team. Technically two former

Racing Metro players in the backline. And in Racing Metro

colours, Racing 92. The usual conference taking place before the

line-out. The line-outs have been rich source for opposing side so

far. The arms being wrapped around the man while he was in the air.

Tried to sneak out of it but the damage was done. REFEREE: Five, you

grabbed hold of him in the air. Too early. He did the right thing

pulling him down but there was contact in the air. That is where it

comes. A good kick for touch off that penalty as well, it gives

Oxford... This is the first opportunity Oxford have had deep in

came Bridge territory, and actually the very little ball they have had,

they have looked more cogent, in terms of where they are seeking to

attack. The line-out overthrow again. Cambridge spared here either

Oxford line-out. Gillies carries the just a couple of yards. Sam Farmer.

He was actually once included in the 2011 top Premiership rising stars

alongside Joe Launchbury and Christian Wade, Sam Farmer. He has a

real talent there. You do appreciate that these are not professional

players. You can't expect professional standards of them,

however that last throw was just awful. Frankly. Let's see how they

manage this time. Long consultation, and Richie Halpin, former Blackrock

College pupil, this one rather better. A great defensive shove but

it is smuggled away by Halpin. Great Cambridge defence. Untidy ball

for Oxford to play with but coming straight through the middle, James

Kilroe. Fine, says the referee. A little punch of the ball and you can

see at close quarters, from Nick Roberts. -- from Nick

Roberts-Huntley, who now carries for Oxford.

Keeping it close, let the forwards to their work first of all. Fergus

Taylor sets it back. Now Cullen gives it deep to the replacement

end, David. Trying to scuttle his way around the defence. Not much

doing there. Henry De Berker gives it onto Will Wilson. A big thump

comes in on him, manages to keep that ball, though. Wide it goes,

little chip through from Matt Janney full stop Weld elected -- Matt

Janney. Well directed. It bounces nicely for Matt Geiger. It was Rees

with the clearing kick for Cambridge full stop Oxford have two build

again. WHISTLE Penalty again to Oxford, and again

just about kickable. Cambridge just overdoing it but they are winning

most of the physical battle, not just in terms of tackling, but on

the previous line-out they ruined all of Oxford's expectations,

because they simply had bigger physical presence in and around the

rock. Whilst they didn't get a turnover, it meant Oxford eventually

had to drag three or four of them is that they wanted to run at the

Cambridge midfield. So Oxford, whilst they are looking quite

organised when they do get the ball, they are losing the physical battle

in all of the important areas at the moment, and yet they may well take a

lead here. So, Cullen, as I mentioned, 18

points last year. Scoring a try off the T.

His father John is here today. He played three times for Cambridge.

Well, it is veering off its true course at the end. It sounded like a

good strike. But no difference to the scoreboard. Half an hour Gordon

Brown and three points each. -- half an hour gone and three

points a piece. Gillies,

taken in by Henry and Oxford making good ground again. Far more

territory to play with. And Don Stevens, out there. It looked 50

good distance. That was very nearly a perfect kick. But all the way back

they come. Good work by Jamie Roberts. Using

power and strength. But looking and when they have made round with one,

two, three players, not accurate enough at the break down.

Call yenning Roberts. Once he gets the leg up, he is not holding his

body weight. He has to let go of the ball.

Jamie Roberts has known situations like that.

Turning over the ball. That was not the best pass given on

by Jamie Roberts. I think that poor Oliver Clough was getting that.

Don't underestimate the pressure that Jamie Roberts puts on himself

for the game. He is desperate to show his quality, what it is. But

the fact is that is not a great ball is it? He will know the expectations

on it. If he is to prove the player that we have seen him be and make an

impression on this game... Yes, his new home is waiting across the A 316

over the Twickenham stoop. The harlequins life to begin after this

match for Jamie Roberts. Again, that Cambridge scrum is so

much better than last year. Oxford have done well with that.

And given to Ed David. He is not the biggest man but lots of life in the

feet. Carried in the by the veteran, Lewis

Anderson. Oxford beginning to build again.

George Cullen, a quick ball. De Berker nearly through! Oxford making

good ground now. Quick hands as well, given to Williams.

Oxford threatening there. The first try, Fraser Heathcote. And De Berker

giving it wide again. Cullen meets Gillies.

Good strength by Nick Roberts-Huntley. He has left damage

there, Roberts-Huntley as he went through.

Still with Oxford. Still the edge closer. Wide it goes now. A good

pick-up. A good take by Matt Geiger for Oxford. And good from Clough.

Ian Williams again, he does his bit. The tight head prop.

A little shuffle with the ball at close quarters.

De Berker looking at the options. He give it is to Cullen. Looking for

Janney. Great defence by Cambridge. Jamie Roberts doing his bit. Carried

in by Tom Stileman. Still 10 metres, 12 metres short. Still they come. 15

phases for Oxford. It shows down but it is patient play

if nothing else. Janney give it is.

Then with Henry Hughes. He manages to get the legs moving the winger.

He makes good ground! De Berker gets himself to ground. Someone else will

have to come in and feed the ball for Oxford.

Fergus Taylor picks and goes. Crying for it out wide, Oxford.

Cullen loop it is out. Matt Geiger, and Geiger, almost there! Geiger,

just short! Oxford bearing down on the line. Wide it goes. A great

pick-up but it can't quite get there. Into touch. So close. How

many phases it went through there? But it ends.

Just on the corner there for Oxford. Had they the ruck ball two or three

previous, they could have had that over. Again, he has been the most

dangerous player on the pitch today. Looking sharp all the way through,

Geiger. A lovely pick-up. Gook pick-up, and a good effort by

Don Stevens. The scrum-half and the captain for Cambridge, doing his bit

to get Andrew Grant into touch. But Matt Geiger has been very, very

lible. But Don Stevens, the defensive capabilities fully tested

there. I alluded to this earlier on that

Oxford would get a period when they were on top, when they were putting

Cambridge under the pressure. At the moment they have not put points on

the board. A line-up that has to work from the

Cambridge point of view. Montgomerie.

That pass just finds its way to the number eight, Sam Farmer.

Cambridge trying to buy themselves as few yards before clearing the

lines. Now Stevens can... Out it goes. I thought it was touched in.

But not greatest kick. But clearing the way out of their own 22.

They are not right on the line. But Oxford are still in a dangerous

position. Both sides have each had a concerted

go on the try line in coming close. Still a penalty a piece. But it is

evenly matched. Oxford just having the better last

few minutes. But the line-out goes wrong again for the Dark Blues and

Cambridge see if they can get a maul moving. It is held by Spelman.

And they wander forward, seemingly at will.

Everyone, calm down. The referee's soothing tones.

A good length but it finds Matt Geiger. A flash of the orange boots

and he give it is nicely to David. Ed David, both he and Matt Geiger

are hard men to catch. Henry Hughes likewise has been

feisty on the wing. These are not big men at all in the

back three for Oxford but they have lots of pace.

Three minutes remaining, three points a piece. Good work by Will

Wilson. The 18-year-old England 7s captain at the Commonwealth Youth

Games. Geiger is taken down.

Fergus tailer, stripped by Cambridge. Dave Spelman comes away

with it. Nick Roberts-Huntley coming through there, the Oxford number 6.

Stevens getting that ball away. The Oxford defence are smartly up on

this. A good pick-up by Andy Rees. James Kilroe... Cambridge again.

You would have thought that was a running interference from Simon

Davis going in there. They didn't give it as the tackler

was not obstructed. He did make the tackle.

The referee made clear. Cambridge still with it. A minute-and-a-half

remaining. Stevens complains.

So a few phases here for Cambridge but not making too much ground.

Energy-sapping work for both sides. Dave Spelman again.

And Ian Nagle. It is still just with Cambridge.

Gillies running out of options there.

Cambridge have been battering away outside of their own 22 for tomorrow

time. Hoping that tiredness or weakness will appear.

Waiting for that is Matt Geiger. Keeping it in play. Tom Stileman.

Good work. A chance for Oxford. Cullen on his own. He off loads

beautifully. Carried on by Stileman. The ball is loose, going forward.

Cambridge have the scrum. The referee may look at his watch to say

that is enough as we near 40 minutes. But a hint the menace from

Oxford. The Oxford back three, as you

alluded to, they are not big but they are quick. They have been the

stand-out backs on the field today. For Cambridge, the second-row

pairing, Hall and Nagle have a lot of work. You probably have not seen

a lot of it. But there have been ups and downs. That does not look good.

It is not Don Stevens. There is theers while Oxford captain, Henry

Lamont. Well, that doesn't look promising

for Cambridge. The clock has gone red. This is going to be the last

passage of play. So that's George Williams coming on.

And that's Cherezov, who has don something unpleasant to a wrist or a

forearm. But his game is over. George Williams is on.

So both sides have been forced into a change at the end of the first

half for Cambridge. And it is three points a piece. A finally balanced

game. Cambridge again with a stout scrum there.

What a difference a year makes. Stevens puts it out. So we resume in

the second half. Three points a piece.

Again, Cambridge have had the better part of the first quarter, Oxford of

the second quarter. They have not been able to make the

most of the opportunities that both have had. It requires a calmness in

thinking. People are putting bodies on the line. This are very committed

but they are not thinking through the game. Especially what to do with

the ball that is good. Both sides have threatened a try.

They have come close but it has not come across. A penalty a piece.

It is three points a piece. It is all to play for in the second half.

It certainly is. I don't know how many minutes that the ball was in

play but more than we are used to seeing if you are a regular

television viewer of rugby. But a lot of the time it was nobody going

anywhere but the intensity was clear to see on both sides. How much it

means. The defence was immense. From 1-15 on both sides.

Simon Halliday and Damian Hopley representing the Dark Blues and the

Light Blues. Simon, what did you make of the first 40 minutes? It is

traditional, people running around. It is unusual, for me, that I agree

with some of what Brian Moore has been saying. But there was a lack of

clarity from the opposite sides when they had an opportunity to score.

But Oxford looking the more dangerous.

The last time there was a big occasion was the Rugby World Cup

final, and people talk of New Zealand and how they play the game.

But there is no team that kick the ball more than New Zealand. They

kick for territory, putting pressure on the opposition. But we have

barely seen a ball kicked in open play? We have. Everyone is coming

out trying hard to make the impact. The half-time is about calm heads.

There is positive play by Cambridge in the first quarter. But then

Oxford coming back into it it is evenly balanced of. But hopefully

clear thinking will help the Light Blues through.

It could come from jam vim jam. An interesting 40 minutes for him.

Starting with putting the Oxford captain out of the game with the

first of his barn storming runs. Here we go. Crash. That was the end

of Lamont's Varsity Match. It is difficult for him to play at

the level he has, to step down to a very different type of game with not

much leadership going on. For me, he has put good passes into play but

some of the rest of the side have not been reading the play. I think

that there is no substitute for the quality. He has it in abundance. If

the game is tight, you would imagine that Jamie will make the difference

in critical moments. What is your take on the way that

Jamie Roberts, Damian, that he is sucking in two or three Oxford

defenders when he gets the ball is this He is a huge physical threat it

is no surprise that the Oxford players are swarming around him and

he is creating space for the team-mates it is about ensuring that

the ball is quality and quick coming back on the Cambridge side. Jamie

does that week in, week out, he is doing it for Cambridge today.

You mentioned the first half. The first 20 minutes it was all

Cambridge. But the Oxford defence was resilient?

One thing you know in a Varsity Match, the defence is good. It takes

something special to unlock that defence. Oxford are confident with

the way that they are playing. They are experienced, they are going to

defend well. For me it is the question as to whether they can tush

the pressure into points. And Cambridge camped on the Oxford

line here. That was the Oxford left-winger to make that tackle that

was key. There is a danger of overreemphasising this but this is a

classic example of how much it means to the guys. They know this might be

the biggest moment of their career? And result will live with them for

the rest of their lives. We have all gone through it the it is pretty

binary. The Oxford defence has been outstanding. Cambridge have put up a

couple of try-saving tackles themselves. But it is finally

poised. It will be interesting to hear what the coaches have to say.

Nagle has made an impact. Hopefully they can get clarity and give Jamie

Roberts and the back line the platform to launch off.

The point that Brian made it is the nature of the game it tends to be

momentum based. Once Oxford are in stride in the last 15 minutes of the

first half. They came closer than anyone to scoring in the corner?

They should have had a try, maybe two. The back three are showing

danger in the way that they are moving around, moving the ball with

multiple passing phases. I think in the Oxford changing room it will be

first 20 minutes, they have the momentum, to keep doing it,

Cambridge are tiring, they will crack. There are a couple of on the

try line tackles that stopped the try being scored. But if they take

that into the changing room with them it is a matter of time. The

first 20 minutes are critical. If Oxford nail a score, there is no

coming back. If they don't kick on, then I back Jamie Roberts to have

increasing influence in the match. And the referee has influence. In

the first three minutes, not a single stoppage. He is letting the

game go. He is aware that they are university students, and everybody

here, the schoolchildren want to see a game that is entertaining. So much

is on the onus of the referee. There needs to be empathy for the

occasion. The referee has that? He has done well. We don't want a

stop-start scenario. Some of the World Cup games were horrendous. But

the referee has had a good game. Hopefully that will continue for the

second half. Is there a TMO? Yes, there is.

Incredible. I agree, after the Rugby World Cup,

the product is there. People want to see the ball in play, exciting

rugby, that the referees are helping it happen. That has happened today.

And I can tell you the last time there was a match at Twickenham, the

Varsity Match, there was not a try in the first half but that was 14

years ago. But it is great to have a real contest here at Twickenham this

afternoon. We have two famous old Blues. But there is a very famous

one on the touch line with Sara Orchard.

In what is described as the plush seats, we have someone who has had a

few Blues. Alastair, thank you very much for

being here. A pleasant occasion! What a great

occasion. The sing that will is playing out there. That is a charity

single. That is for the Oxford and the Cambridge players, getting

together. We are trying to revitalise the Varsity Match. They

have set the sights. Alastair, you are objective at all

times but for you, seeing Cambridge pulling out a performance here that

we have not seen last year? We had an awful run at it. It has been a

bad run for Cambridge, and at last they are going out there playing

with spirit and skill it is still nip and tuck as to who is going to

win the game. But it is a great advert for the match.

And making the headlines in the build up, what have you made of

Jamie Roberts's performance? I am waiting for the moment for him to

blast his way through the Oxford defence. But it has been so good.

I'm hoping from a Cambridge point of view we have the secret weapon up

sleeves. But Jamie is playing well and there is industryic skill shown

by all players. You are here for another capacity?

Yes, for Leonard Trough Disability. They have a presence here. It is a

great charity, a great match, I'm happy all-round.

A stair has Ing been a integral part of the BBC rugby team and it is

interesting seeing Jamie Roberts here as he is going to be a

qualified doctor, he knows what this will hold for him.

And going back to the women's match, I should say that there were nine

vets and doctors in the Cambridge team. So they clearly know what

direction that they are going in. Damian, we have you here as a former

Blue but from the Players Union, a Damian, we have you here as a former

key area you are focussing on, is what do the rugby players,

professional rugby players do when they hang up their boots? You are

starting a programme, you hope will make the lives a little easier when

that day comes? We are run a personal development programme for

the players. We started it 12 years ago. Now 80% of the players in the

Premiership are involved in the programme it is not just about what

you do when you finish rugby but creating a work/life balance. Having

an interest away from the field. So to see Jamie out there, knowing the

sacrifices he made as a professional player while studying for his

medical exams it is a fantastic role model. Without sounding parentle,

they do have time on their hands it is important to have the balance so

that when they do finish, they can move into something that gives them

confidence and they can continue with for their life.

Ten years ago there was a feeling that many players were stairing into

a void once the career ended? We are at the end of the first cycle of

professionalism. It is great to hear this news. It is a massive challenge

for the professional sportsmen and especially rugby players. We were

lucky in the amateur days, we had other things going on outside of

your lives other than rugby. That makes you a better person. A lot of

the players here have lacked that so this initiative is very good.

So, three a piece. So in terms of the first ten minutes of the second

half, how key is the next score? Crucial.

Don Stevens, has not lasted the two games he played in. He is central to

Cambridge's success. So hopefully he will stay on the field and be

lifting the trophy in 40 minutes' time.

Are you confident, Simon? I am. Anyone who cannot play around him,

play through him, Jamie Roberts. The first 20 minutes, as I said, that is

critical. To get the score Cambridge has to play proper rugby to get back

in it, that is probably beyond them. We were scouring the statistics for

when there was a Varsity Match without a single try. What was the

year of the snowy day? 1981, the centenary Varsity Match.

When the whole pitch was corped in snow. What fantastic pictures. Now,

Jamie Roberts is off the field. He will take no part in the sec half.

So, does that mean that the Cambridge ace has gone from the

pack? Let's go back to Brian Moore and Andrew Cotter.

And as suggested, Jamie Roberts has been replaced by Mike Phillips. So,

22, Mike Phillips. A 19-year-old medical student. He is on in place

of Jamie Roberts. Obviously we will find out what has happened to Jamie

Roberts but a big loss for Cambridge. Oxford coming back into

things, look stronger towards the end of the first half. So it may be

a long half for Cambridge. They will need Ian Nagle to keep a hold of the

ball now. A good take by Matt Geiger. He has

been impressive. So too David. There he is.

Scampering and scuttling around. A good off load to Fergus Taylor. Good

feet from Matt Janney. Oxford beginning where they left off

in the first half. Hearing that Jamie Roberts is off

with a dead leg it can be very debilitating.

So, he is off. Cambridge have lost Jamie Roberts for the second half.

Henry De Berker giving it on there. Oxford attacking again with fluency.

A good pick-up by Cullen. Finding support from Stileman. He is a

strong winger. Oxford once again bearing down on the Cambridge line.

There the Cambridge players are breathing hard in defence.

It is cries for the Dark Blues for Oxford coming from the Twickenham

stands. There a little spill by Matt Janney.

Cambridge will have the scrum. But if you are a Light Blues fan, these

are ominous early science. Three or four top quality pieces of

play from Oxford. A quick pick up. Then undone by taking the eyes off

the ball. Looking at who is coming to hit him.

I'm afraid that has been the story of much of the first half. You hope

it would not be the same in the sec half.

There he is. Jamie Roberts's right thigh is being

iced. He will be furious. So much attention on him. As Brian was

saying, feeling the pressure as there was attention. He will have

wanted to do as much as he could to life the Cambridge side. Mike

Phillips is on in his place. It certainly sounded like it,

whatever the decision is from the touch judge, the throw will go to

Oxford. Farmer doing well, picking up on that scrum, never easy. Oxford

did have problems of the first half on line-outs, there was a discussion

between Lewis Anderson, the prop, and the hooker, Richie Halpin.

Shortened line-out, and Cambridge do so well again there. Maybe a hint of

interference at the line-out but it is fine. And Don Stevens sends it

long. Gives it back to Geiger. Geiger's kick pretty well directed.

Creeping back into the camera child. To be fair, as a hooker when you are

stored there, if there is that much movement in the line-out it is

difficult to time things. Oh the complication often leads to failure.

Straight up and down. Victor Matfield being the absolute prime

example of this, simple up quick on the feet. Don't need to do that,

don't need to have players walking around and confusing things will

stop Cambridge line-out a bit better through their hooker, Max

Montgomerie. Gillies just pokes it forward. Geiger again. Fix it down

well, had the attentions of Andy Rees.

Matt Janney, plays sevens rugby for Georgia. Here is Lewis Anderson.

Remarkably playing in his sixth Varsity match. Anderson again.

Little poke forward from Cullen full stops all a bit of space, hoping for

Janney to run onto it, fined by the referee. -- that is fine, says the

referee. Hughes, not a huge wing about the sceptre blew strong, and

Janney almost threw on his own, to the edges of the 22 at Oxford.

Laying a sort of this 22 again. Richie Halpin gives it onto Taylor.

Wide it goes. Good continuity about the Oxford play now. Rolling on, Ian

Williams. Strength again carry some forward. Stripped fine by James

Kilroe. But no advantage, advantage to Oxford. Just a knock-on

advantage, not a penalty. They will come back for the scrum advantage.

Oxford will have the put-in. An important intervention there. Sold

himself but made sure he got the player. You have already seen more

variety in the way Oxford has approached this, in terms of short

kicks, longer kicks, box kicks, drives around the corner and Taiwan.

You have to say, for an intelligent bunch of blokes, a lot of the play

in the first half was a bit dull actually. There is intelligent and

there is rugby intelligence. Janney, another who has been very, very

impressive. But what those two short chip kicks have done, have made sure

that the Cambridge back three can't take set positions. The first of all

they had to deal with was all moved through the hands, they could

shadow, they could drift. Now they are being told forwards and

backwards and sideways, that will create more space when players are

played through the middle because they will not be able to take up

standard positions. The changes came which have made, you saw Mike

Phillips and George Williams on four Jamie Robertson. A big job for Ian

Williams at tight head. If you can get the right hand side of the

Oxford scrum of the bed, swing the Cambridge background away from their

right-hand side -- the left-hand side, could be good advantage.

Picked up and well goes Kilroe, finds Gillies, quick hands, so

nearly slipped out by Clough as well. Still with Cambridge and

Gillies. The dagger for what? Kicked away by Kilroe. Geiger now. George

Williams. Doesn't find touch. Cullen is waiting.

Oxford once more, bit of space for Fraser Heathcote. Quickly closed

down. Cullen gives it deeper to Stileman. To the first-half

replacement, Ed David. Still Oxford launching runners from all parts of

the pitch. Trying to sneak his way through on his own. Picked up by the

tight head, Ian Williams. Cambridge really are being stretched and

tested here in defence. You can see in the hunched body is a hard

breathing how difficult it is. They are off-loading very well.

Still comes back for the Dark Blues. Here is Cullen. De Berker gives it

onto Janney. He is the captain on the field now for Oxford.

Fraser Heathcote almost threw the middle. Waiting for the moment to

move it with a bit of wit. Janney is there, he has Geiger outside him, he

hangs on, taken down by Daniel Dass. Cambridge competing well in the

ground. Stevens. Andy Reid is with the chopped up into the air. Will

Wilson again. Just a temporary stay for the Cambridge defence. Have to

work hard again. Oxford come once again on a wave. Geiger scooped it

up, gives it on the focus Taylor. -- gives it on to Fergus Taylor. This

is then ten minutes of largely relentless work for Cambridge but it

is a loss, find a way to will Briggs. Deep it goes, George

Williams will stop it is a mistake. You heard the referee say kicked

away, they had a little knock, advantage, they would have had the

scrum but sent it out on the full. He said kicked away. He has changed

his mind. Although Oxford haven't recorded any points, the thing they

will be most pleased about is that in the first half all of the

collisions they lost. Cambridge stopped them either on the gain line

or the other side of the gain line. This half, they are getting over the

gain line, and they are doing it regularly. If they can just find a

little bit more poise, a little tighter running angle when the ball

goes wide, then they will be in business, because the amount of

tackling Cambridge of had to do must be taking its toll physically.

Still three points apiece. It really has been all Oxford in the second

half. Don Stevens there, South Africa

number nine. Penalty coming. A huge fillip for Cambridge. Running in

from all angles to offer their support and congratulations for

stock Jamie Roberts cuts a rather sad figure on the bench. That was an

important marker for the Cambridge eight, because they have been under

pressure. So will ease with the clearing kick. If they can secure

this from the line-out, they can take it and drive it, make another

physical statement. In every aspect of play at the moment came which

seem to be struggling, but in the scrum they are still struggling.

What a turnaround that is from last year when they were rumbled off the

pitch in that record victory for Oxford. Oxford going the six Arroyo,

which would be a record for any side in this Varsity match. Now trying

them all again, which -- trying the maul again, which they did have some

success with. In the first half. Sam Farmer spent some time with

Northampton, came through the academy. Look at the ground they are

making here, Cambridge. Wired it goes from Gillies out to George

Williams. He fine support from Rees. Into the Oxford 22. But now for the

Light Blues. Stevens gives it to Ian Nagle. Another hard-bitten

professional. Stevens burrowing his way on. Has that ball been stripped

by the Dark Blues? It has. Taken well by Will Wilson, the openside

flanker. Cullen under pressure, doesn't have much to play with. Not

too far from the 22. I would imagine they would look to do the same sort

of thing, but this time round, they need to know when to release the

ball, when to go forward, as opposed to last time when they were stopped.

That allows the opposition defence just to set itself for that

important moment before it comes into play. The line-out is

functioning better. Cherezov on the bench, we caught a glimpse, he has

damaged a shoulder, managing to keep just about warm in his light blue

blazer. Still they're rather untidily for Cambridge but that is

the 22. Daniel Dass gives it onto Sam Farmer.

Will Briggs. Nagle trying to clear out. Why did goes from Gillies.

Finds its way to a full-back. Simon Davies, taken into touch by Todd

Stileman. Left him too much to do. Too little room to work in.

Trying to step his way around Stileman but the winger up to the

challenge. So a bit of pressure on health in's throw for Oxford. 15

minutes gone in the second half, still no scoring. Once again, that

Oxford line-out does not work so came it with a real opportunity.

Taken in by Sam Farmer. Quicker ball to play with for the Light Blues.

Delays his pass, on the George Williams. Cleared by Stileman again,

just hurried into touch for stock again, they will just the fringes of

the 22 but what chances here for Cambridge. Ran the right line, kept

everyone on the dead straight, couldn't use his hands.

Just fell into very grateful dark blue hands. This fixture, which goes

back to 1872, might have an 1872 scoreline, 3-3, at the end. That was

the year of the first football international, 1872, year after

first rugby international Twin Scotland and England. It has a long

history, and here in 2015, three points apiece, 55 minutes gone. Dass

being steadily disrobed. A penalty to Cambridge. The second half

started... The penalty, Richie Halpin is being penalised, not Ian

Williams but the hooker Richard Halton. The second half you thought

Oxford look so dominant and it might just as appear away from Cambridge

but they have worked their way back into it very well. You highlighted

the point that that particular scrum was giving them a enormous

advantage, giving them approximately ten minutes of play down in the

Oxford half, putting pressure on them. He is coping well, scrambling

well, but both teams have had problems recalling points when they

have been on top. -- recording points.

A chance to put Cambridge in front for the first time in this match.

Damian Hopley was saying he was cursed in his last two matches, he

lasted 30 minutes in 2013, dislocated shoulder, just over 40

minutes last year, ruptured knee ligaments, but here leading his side

forward. Perhaps into the lead. Sweetly struck by Don Stevens.

Cambridge are in front. Trying to hold this run without a victory

stretching back to 2010. Cambridge lead six minus three. He has a big

part to play in managing the game well for Cambridge. It may well come

down to one good piece of judgment. Sam Farmer, the number eight for

Cambridge. Don Stevens summons his troops closer. Play answers the

referee. That works well for Oxford. Will Thomas on the second row. The

ball went loose, though. Coming back in the Cambridge side now. Gillies.

You can hear the touch in-flight. Finds its way to Geiger. He gives it

to Stileman. A powerful figure on the wing. He is a hefty fellow. And

Fergus Taylor. A penalty now to Oxford, a chance to immediately hit

back. Oliver Clough is penalised. Oxford when they are carrying the

ball in the second half, they have changed their pattern in doing this

because the first half it was a direct assault, with players trying

to clear. What they are trained to do is take a man in, draw the tackle

and get rid of the ball. Not necessarily an off-load going

through but just slightly before sometimes, to try and make it a less

one-on-one power battle which they lost in the first half. That kick

was just beyond the range of George Cullen. A change for Cambridge, the

man coming on, for Don Stevens, the captain, so 20 minutes to go, and a

big change at number nine, or number 21 as it is now. Oxford's line-out

works this time and in this position, held at the back for

Fraser Heathcote. Number eight. This time Oxford make a bit of ground

with this ball. De Berker wants it but the forwards want to hang on and

why not, look where they are going now, up to within five metres of the

line. Cambridge clapping back, Oxford have the advantage. A fuel in

the crowd think that should be a yellow card to come back 20 minute

ago -- a fuel in the crowd. Oxford looking for the first try in this

fixture. De Berker. To the forwards again. They many pack of them edged

their way closer. De Berker again. Moving his players around. This time

the drive from Fergus Taylor. Not quite there. Wide it goes, Cullen

gives it on and it is the window Stileman. Still short. -- the

winger. Cambridge rally their defence. Still playing advantage.

Still have that penalty to come. Still they attack. Fergus Taylor

once more, wide it goes, and Cullen, and Janney, wide to Geiger! Can't

quite get it, the spill from Geiger! He has injured himself in the

process, it might just be a bit of cramp needing stretching off, it is,

but clutching, grasping and nothing but air. A huge embarrassment. He

seemed all right there, no. A penalty for lifting the legs in the

maul, same as what happened there. The referee is talking to the

Cambridge team about this. Is it back for a penalty? I don't know.

Saying about a penalty for lifting legs in the maul. The TMO thinks it

is a try, OK? So it is a penalty, everyone calm

down, says Greg Garner. Sam Farmer making clear that he is the captain

on the pitch because Don Stevens has gone off, so he is allowed to talk

to the referee. What a passage of play. Geiger has been so good, so

good in this game. He was counting his chickens, a Geiger counter! I

knew that would come at some point. I tried to avoid it. It was such a

good passage of play for Oxford, and eventually went wide. He may well

get another chance, but still without a try in this match. A much

better second half than the first, in terms of some of the skills we

have seen on display, apart from that final one there. Part of that

is because players are tired. They are not right on the metal, in terms

of the line speed, in terms of the physical nature of the challenges in

the first half, which were huge. Now they are having to dig deep and gaps

will inevitably come, if one side or the other can put together a

cohesive passage of play. Daniel Dass using the inhaler. Oxford are

going to kick to the corner here. Around 25,000 expected in here and a

bit of noise from the Oxford half of things. CHANTING

WHISTLE So that was a welcome breather for

some of the Cambridge players there. They haven't yet conceded a try.

Oxford now with full wind in their sales. How can again with the

discussion with Anderson ahead of the line-out. Ideally you would want

the ball beyond the middle. Give you the options. They keep it short and

save, it is the easier one to defend for Cambridge and they buy

themselves a good few yards. Held at the back for Oxford. Fraser

Heathcote is there, the number eight. Again, this little breakaway

faction, goes to ground. Cambridge now have the scrum. They have all

the applause again. They have had problems on the long throw. Number

of overthrows, under throws, they went for the safety option as you

rightly said. Much easier to defend. Big passage of play in the context

of the match. Oxford still lead. The one thing Cambridge have had is a

robust scrum. They have the ball now. You see the big slaps from Ian

Nagle. He has made a big difference, as has Perlman.

These are massive moments for these players. This is what they train

for. This time gets his kick away. They

have got out of trouble well, Cambridge. They owe a lot to Sam

Farmer. It is twice he has done that now. Cleared ball that might not

have been promising from the back of the scrum and made it much easier

for them to exit V-22. So again Anderson and help them. What is the

option here? Rich Halpin. Hope his exam went well this morning. Law and

Finance. Space into which Oxford can run now. Janney gives it out to

Hughes. Taken on by Ed David. Janney slips it back and Fergus Taylor, so

much hard carrying the second row has done. Cullen lofted over the

prop and gives it to Stileman. Cullen again, options appearing.

Roberts-Huntley runs onto this. A little loop around by Cullen.

Cambridge lead by that single penalty in the second half. Carried

in by Will Wilson again. Nagle is doing his bit. Will Wilson

eventually gets it the ground. Oxford have the penalty. This one is

very kickable. It is Nagle who has been penalised. The referee Garner

did shout. Not listened to. This is the time when you look for players

to work extra hard. I don't and I could have said it any louder. You

can't tell from that replay because you can't hear the audio, but when

I'm talking about hardware, the forwards, hitting rucks and mauls,

the backs after work very hard because on two occasions on the

Cambridge right, there would have been a mismatch with on one occasion

a prop and a second roller, on the other occasion two second rowers,

whereby had the Oxford backs worked harder to get a mismatch for a

winter or a centre to get back into position, then they would have made

much of it. This is when the backs have to do their part as well.

Long treatments for a few players out there. Lewis Anderson has been

down for some time. Again, it might well just be a bit of stretching

off, a bit of cramp. Players working very hard, the Oxford bench warms

up. It will be a pop at goal for George

Cullen. They know if they hold it to 6-6, no extra time, besides holding

the trophy keeps it, -- the side holding the trophy keeps it, so that

is effectively enough for them. There have been 14-14 draws in the

history of the fixture. This four Cullen to draw level. CHEERING

Six points apiece. 14 minutes to go here at Twickenham.

There is one of the former Cambridge men watching in the crowds.

The side he played in, Mark Bailey, Hugh Davis, people like that... And

that's Lewis Anderson going off. So a change for Oxford as the game

re-starts. It has taken its toll on both sides,

this game. From the very start when Oxford lost their captain, Henry

Lamont. There is the replacement scrum-half

for Cambridge. Tullie getting his line again.

There is Ian Nagle. Penalised a short while ago.

13 minutes to go. It is anybody's game. What a contrast to last year

and that record win for Oxford, 43-6.

Tullie just delayed for a moment before feeding it on to Sam Farmer.

Tullie to Gillies and out to gorge Williams.m Williams standing strong

to give it to Simon Davis. There is Sam Farmer again, very

impressive, number eight. Gillies and good work there by

Oliver Clough. Gillies again. He pops it back to max Montgomery, the

hooker. The ball seemed to spill out forwards. Oxford have turned it

over. Cambridge, when they have had the

ball, they have not attacked with the sharpness of Oxford.

Justen under 12 minutes to go. -- Just under 12 minutes to go.

A nervous hush around at the moment. A good take.

They tried to get itway, Oxford but it did not quite work out.

You were talking about the fact that Cambridge don't seem to have quite

the cutting-edge that Oxford have had. That's because they have been

narrow. I don't know if it is without Roberts they feel that they

can't move the ball. But this half he have been narrow in terms of

where to bring the ball and take it over the game line it makes defence

easier, provided you make the first of tackles.

There is Erogbogbo coming on for Hall.

He is a twin, Erogbogbo. His brother plays as well.

So once more to the Oxford line-out. To Halpin. Once more it goes the way

of Cambridge. A good steal. Carried in by Max Montgomery.

Ed David give it is in to Geiger. And Stileman. He is through on his

own. He looks to the side. He has support

from Cullen. He finds support from Hughes. Hughes goes to ground. 50m

up the field. They need to go right.

Just slows down. Have we got a penalty. Ian Williams,

looking for, oh, wonderful hands, then Spelman back for the penalty.

Again, just a sign that Oxford, when they get it going they can be pretty

devastating in attack. It does not end in a try this time but surely a

penalty and another three points as we enter the final ten minutes. So

many players in the Oxford back line have been very impressive. Stileman

here with the initial break. No chasing game to speak of. No

pressure on the ball. This is what I am talking about,

mismatches. He spots one there, knows he has the

pace to do that. Although it is not going to result in a try, this is

eminently kickable. Well, Tom styleman, a 19-year-old,

making his debut today in the Varsity Match.

His father with split loyalties. I'm sure an Oxford fan today but he has

played for both Oxford and Cambridge. Styleman Senior and now

George Cullen, to give the Dark Blues the lead.

He has it. And Oxford have the three-point

advantage. And a big final eight minutes of the

game coming up. Watches are being checked. Cambridge have to respond.

Geiger was the stand-out back in the first half. But Stileman was not far

behind him. The attack was the second of the

re-start. It put Cambridge on the front foot.

Tullie to give it to Clough. He uses his power. An interfering line there

with but Sam Farmer carries had forward. Andy Rees on the left wing.

Once again it is Farmer. He has done so much work. Tullie

complain, the replacement scrum-half. There is Dass.

They would gratefully receive the penalty. But they need more than a

draw to get the trophy. Simon Davis. He cuts in field. Hitting three blue

shirts. So, Cambridge, still without a try

in this match, either side. Cambridge threatening the line

again. Here they come through Tullie. Wide

it goes. Lining up Jude it is rather crowded and down they go. Taken in

by Mike Phillips. Erogbogbo again.

Tullie to Max Montgomery. Going through the phases. They need the

final move. Down goes Kilroe. Oxford have it.

And they come away now. There might be a space and a chance. Charging,

rampaging clear is Will Tomas. Henry Hughes has it. Out it goes to David.

Oxford racing through it is David, what pace he has! Down goes Dass. He

can't quite get it. Cambridge all the way back now. Inside their own

22. And Clough, Clough is out. The ball

is still in play. Stlichlt Spelman keep it is arrive

for Cambridge. Six minutes to go.

Three points in it. But Cambridge from threatening a try

are now deep inside their own territory again.

Tullie as far as Ed David. And Geiger, oh, a misguided kick. Simon

Davis, the full-back. Beyond Geiger. His opposite number takes it well.

How close he was to a try earlier in the second half. The full-back is

playing tennis at the moment. Savis again.

Oh, it might be real trouble now for Davis. It will certainly be a

yellow. Even be more. He knows what he has done. He knows, he knows it.

Straight off he goes. It was Henry deburqa going up. And

Simon Davies, the excitement and the enthusiasm. Deburqa is fine.

It may well put paid to Cambridge's chances. A man down. Oxford need now

only to play safe and keep the ball tight.

Well, what else can you say that utterly stupid. Stupid.

He was watching the ball and then he decided to have a look at the

player. He knew as he was doing it. He sees himself on the big screen

which doesn't help his humour. But his side are really up against it

now. Still three points but to retain the trophy as Oxford, they

would need a draw. But they want more than that. It will be six wins

in a row. They are firmly in the driving seat.

From their point of view, a nice, solid throw. An easy throw. Make it

simple. Take the ball in, drive it, go around the corner and wind the

clock down. Oxford's line-out, which has not

gone well in the match. This time it is absolutely fine. Taken down by

Mick Roberts. The clock is Oxford's friend.

So, Cambridge, a man down. Three points down. 3. 5 minutes to go.

Oxford are in a comfortable position now.

Oxford would love to seal Vic interest I with a try. Cullen tries

to give it. And Oxford have the penalty and a chance to hammer a

nail into the Cambridge coffin. So, will it be a proper goal for

Oxford? They will need a try. Bearing in mind they haven't

seriously threatened to get one. You would say if this goes over, that

should be the end of the game. It's been a match of penalties. Two

for Cambridge from Don Stevens, no longer on the field. Three so far

from this man, gorge Cullen for Oxford.

And this to just about seal things for Oxford. Still a little bit of

time for Cambridge but Cullen is about to take his allotted time.

It's coming round, coming round well for Oxford and Cullen gives ox for a

12-6 lead. Under two minutes remaining for

Cambridge. Cullen, the Man of the Match? That's

Tom Stileman, the wing for Oxford today.

A debutante as well. A remarkable debute. Man of the Match, thoroughly

deserved by Stileman today. You can see the clock ticking away. Hope

slipping away. A converted try will do it. It has been close. They will

have to do it now with 14 men. They still have full compliment in

the scrum, where they have had the upper hand.

For me, a kick will not be enough. They will have to put it into the

corner. Will they have time? Maybe, maybe not.

It is probably their only option to. Force a penalty. Get it into the

corner, if they can get there quick enough. To then catch and drive it

over the line. But they have to get on with it.

The last chance. Tullie to feed. That is blatant... Oliver Clough has

it. Slapping acouple of men aside. Good work in the centre. Oliver

Clough coming forward. Cambridge, do they still have a chance? Kilroe, up

into the 22, a converted try to win this game over Oxford. And Oxford

have that ball now. Janney gets his hand on it. The clock ticks towards

80 minutes. Out it goes, they cheer and celebrate. The referee says...

Wait a minute! WHISTLE

The time is ticking over but it is Oxford who win. They win for a sixth

time. Half a dozen victories, the first time it has been done by

either side in the long, long history of the match. Oxford are the

Dark Blues, they are champions again at Twickenham.

Critic could not make the most of the first 25 minutes. They were

dominant. They made a lot of line breaks. A lot of ground but they

could not find the fluency. Oxford stayed in the game. As the game

progressed, they looked more create I have. More likely to score a try.

They should have scored one. Brought one over the line. But at the end of

the day they had a bit more news now.

Well, there were tries. Both sides came close. It was a match of no

little thrill. Very good rugby played in the second half. But just

the penalty. 3-3 at half-time from Cullen and Don Stevens. Those two

were the point scorers in the second half. Four penalties, Oxford with

winners of the Varsity Match again, 12-6.

So a record-breaking day for the Dark Blues. Six victories in

succession. Over 14 years, there has not been a single try in the match.

It was not to be from the Cambridge perspective. You can see what it

means to both sets of players and I think we can hear from the Man of

the Match. I am here with Tom Stileman. Massive

congratulations to you. It is not often as a winger you get Man of the

Match when no tries are scored but do tell me, what was it like out

there? Incredible. Incredible. The guys have put so much into this over

the last three months. It was tough. Full credit to Cambridge as well.

They made it really, really hard! But... It's just, yes, an

unbelievable result. Lots of hard work gone into it. Very, very

pleased. Six out of six, now, what will the

celebrations be like this evening? Yes, they will be pretty emphatic.

The guys have deserved it, massively. Thanks to everyone who

has come down who, has put the work in for us to get here and play. To

everyone who has come down to support. It means masses.

I am now going to hand over to Alastair Hignall. He is giving you

the Man of the Match award. His very own medal. Congratulations,

Alastair, here is the Man of the Match. Oxford deserved it, if you

were watching. They showed more enterprise with the scrum and more

try-scoring opportunities. I'm sure at least two of the three people

with me will agree. We have Damian Hopley and Simon Halliday.

Were you impartial today because of the role here or were you able to

get off the fence? I am delighted. It was a competitive and a close

game. Good for the Varsity Match. But I'm delighted Oxford won and

very chuffed. The right result? I think Oxford

came on well. They had chances with tries. I think that the right team

one. But it whats close, competitive and a good game.

Simon, you must have enjoyed the back play from the Oxford side. A

golden opportunity spurned? Yes, white line fever. So much good

approach play from the Oxford team. It seemed more difficult not to

score. You could have argued for the centre to have kept the ball. He was

almost over the line. That was disappointing, I think that the game

wanted and needed a try. Here we can see it now. Well, I'm sure that the

lads, give than Oxford won, will give them good-natured ribbing. But

credit to Cambridge. You go back to last year but there you are,

again... David snow Well it allowed Andrew Cotter to have his Geiger

counter moment. This was the match-winning moment, Stileman made

the break. This led to the penalty? Stileman looked dangerous with the

ball in hand. Oxford were clinical. Cambridge probably kicked the

possession away. When getting near they could not fulfil what the

potential that I thought that they had. Unfortunately, Oxford were the

strong side and deserved to win. Jamie Roberts going off at half-time

cannot have helped? So much was billed around a player. To lose him

at half-time was a blow. But even then, I thought that Cambridge

rallied well around it. But a blow to them in terms of the on field

presence that Jamie Roberts brings. There is Jamie Roberts. We are

waiting for the presentation of the trophy. While we wait. Ian it is

good to have you here. There is lots to talk about from an English rugby

spiff. Let me ask you one that is retrospective. On a day like today,

the last time we were here it was the World Cup final. When you come

back today is there a part of you that niggles to say that was a boat

that England well and troubly missed? Of course. The Rugby World

Cup as an event, as a festival of rugby, everyone was behind it, the

support was amazing. Yes, we all feel there is regret and

disappointment. There was a situation that we lost. We should

have dealt with it. But we didn't. That is what sport is all about. We

have to look forward now. But I look back at the event on the whole and

for rugby it was an amazing World Cup in every way, the support,

feeling, the atmosphere, the rugby itself. It was a huge plus. And yes,

disappointed, obviously that we did not take advantage of that.