Oxford Draw a Loss
The Varsity Match ended in its first draw since 1965. Pre-match favourites Oxford were left rueing an inability to convert their possession into points while Cambridge celebrated their unexpected retaining of the MMC trophy by virtue of their 15-13 victory in 2002.
Rather ominously, Oxford's instrumental fly-half Jon Fennell tore a muscle within the first few minutes of the game and the Dark Blues immediately began to concede possession. On seven minutes, lackadaisical defensive play from Oxford afforded Cambridge fly-half Lewis the opportunity to open the scoring with a simple penalty, and Oxford's continued Christmas goodwill enabled Lewis to stretch the lead to six points within the first twenty minutes. Finally, however, the powerful Oxford forwards began to exert some meaningful pressure on the Cambridge defence, and it was little surprise that an Oxford try arrived in the gargantuan form of Henry Nwume on 33 minutes.
Just moments after this unconverted try, Tkachuk's scintillating break forced Cambridge into conceding a penalty before the posts, and replacement kicker O'Mahoney consequently sent in Oxford with the score an encouraging 8-6 at half-time.
After the interval, Oxford continued to stretch the Cambridge defence. After an absorbing period, the consistently impressive Magro darted through the Cambridge midfield, and neatly off-loaded the ball to replacement prop Matt Street. Cambridge managed a recovery, however, just in time to haul down the prop an agonising few inches from the line, yet even though O'Mahoney succeeded in adding a further three points to the Oxford tally from a penalty only moments later, the difference between the two teams worryingly remained a mere five points. This ominous feeling was to be justified later on in the 72nd minute, when substitute Abiola fed Desmond in space for a try in the right-hand corner. Though Lewis missed the ensuing conversion leaving the score at 11-11, Oxford were ultimately unable to regain the ascendancy, and it was yet again the Light Blues who left the home of English rugby on top.
15th Jan 2004