Storming Forward
WHEN ASKED to sum up his feelings about the 123rd Varsity Match, Ben Durham says simply, "I didn't even want to contemplate losing."
The comment underlines the commitment of one of Oxford's most talented sportsmen to the Varsity prize.
Durham's stoicism is perhaps understandable given that his efforts in the Oxford back row have gone unrewarded at Twickenham in previous years.
Driven by his frustration at unsuccessful attempts to wrestle the MMC trophy away from Cambridge in 2002 and 2003, the junior international put in a monumental performance in December's game, and was rightly awarded a unanimous Man of the Match.
Durham has played a key part in the Dark Blue squad since making his first team debut as a second year Economics and Management undergraduate.
Despite the great success he has enjoyed at Gloucester and in the England Under 21 set-up, he considers the 2004 Varsity match to have been the pinnacle of his rugby career thus far.
Nevertheless, he hesitates when trying to relate how he felt during the game; "I don't remember that much clearly, but seeing the ball heading for touch and then hearing the final whistle was just fantastic.
"The thing that really sticks out was when Ross (Lavery) went over for the winning try. We're close friends so it was a great feeling for me to be able to run over and celebrate with him."
Although Lavery's try was the champagne moment in the victory, Durham's confrontation with Cambridge's experienced linchpin Nicolaas Alberts was perhaps just as critical.
A misjudged tackle attempt from Alberts on 20 minutes, and Durham's strength and determination to drive forward left the Light Blue lock out cold. The shock was visible amongst the Cambridge team for some time afterwards
"Taking your opposition out of the game is about the most effective thing you can do in a rugby match" comes the admission, with only a hint of relish.
Durham agrees that he was ably supported by an industrious and resolute group of forwards, who won their individual battles on the big day.
The win was based on tactics that played to the Dark Blues' strongest assets: "We thought that if our forwards were dominant, then we would win.
"The Cambridge pack didn't create much. Their first try came from a mistake on our part - it was a clever move, but we should have done better. Apart from that I didn't think that they looked like scoring."
"I think it's the closest- knit squad I've experienced at Oxford, we are all friends and there aren't any cliques," says Durham, when trying to assess what made the crucial difference this season.
"There was also a contingent of players who had experienced playing in a lost or drawn Varsity game, which made everyone more motivated."
Despite recent history, confidence was high, off the back of some good wins against Premiership reserve sides. Durham for one was undaunted by the challenge, confident that his experience at the top level would see him through. "After all," he states, "if you don't back yourself, no-one else will."
To be turned into points, that self-belief must be transferred to performance on the big stage. OURFC players and coaches are, inevitably, always judged on the outcome at Twickenham.
"It's been great playing the league sides, and we were able to come away with some good results. But when it comes down to it, winning against Cambridge is special. You could lose all of the warm-up games, go on to win the Varsity match and everyone would consider it a good season."
The reputation of the game in the wider rugby context may well have been enhanced by the exciting rugby exhibited by both sides this year.
Durham agrees that the match was of a higher quality than some previous encounters between the two sides. "It's true that we have tried to play open rugby for the sake of the event and the supporters.
"When winning is so important it can be easy to get scared and resort to the basic tactics that you know best, but with the players we have that really wouldn't have made sense. We had to play in a way that suited our mobile forwards and backs."
Does Oxford still provide a good platform for aspiring professional players? "I definitely think that I would be in a good position if I wanted to go for a professional contract. I found it ideal - you get to play top class rugby and get a solid degree at the same time."
"As someone who started here as an undergrad, it's good to see more and more of the squad made up of players who work their way up from the Whippets, U21s and Greyhound teams. Undergrads like Jonan Boto and Doug Abbott are going to be very important next year."
Given that Durham appears to be riding on the crest of a wave in his chosen sport, it is somewhat surprising to learn that he is now going into temporary retirement.
He cites such pressing matters as a Masters in Economic History amongst his reasons for playing no further games this season, but one feels that the satisfaction and closure that have been drawn from recent events have made the decision a great deal easier. The impression is of a job finally well done
So is Ben Durham really finished with Oxford rugby? "Well, I might turn out for Keble in cuppers."
You have been warned.
13th Jan 2005