Greyhounds dig deep to win Varsity dog fight
A strong Greyhounds XV retained the Varsity honours in a typically hard fought Varsity match at Grange Road.
The Hounds fielded a strong side containing several former Blues, while Cambridge were able to call on winger Charlie Desmond, who scored the late try at Twickenham that stole them a draw last year.
Oxford started well, and within 15 minutes were 14 points up, courtesy of two well worked tries touched down by wing Tom Maynard and full back Jon River. Adam Slade converted both.
With a familiar face in the Cambridge second row sent to the bin for stamping and scrum-half James Gaunt slotting a penalty for another three points, Oxford looked to be cruising.
But the Hounds aren't renowned for doing things the easy way and allowed Cambridge to come back into the game.
Before half time Slade was forced to retire with an ankle injury and things were further disrupted just a couple of minutes later when Abbott and Hammond left for the blood bin.
The home crowd found their voice as Cambridge closed to 17-11 and threatened to over turn Oxford's early lead.
But with some solid work in defence, decent tactical kicking from 9 and 10, and the return of a stitched up Doug Abbott, Oxford were able to steady the ship.
They managed to close out the game in the final minutes with prop Matt Street going over for a try after a well executed lineout drive.
Cambridge added a consolation try just before the final whistle, but it was Oxford who came out the 22-18 victors, with the former Cambridge man, now Greyhounds skipper, Pete Jenkins, taking the trophy back to Oxford.
The Hounds' success was well deserved after a term of hard work, and the physical knocks taken in this aggressive game.
As Oxford's representative's in the BUSA set-up, the Greyhounds will now hope the form shown at Varsity time will translate to this term's league fixtures.
The main challenges will come from Marjons, Plymouth and Imperial College.
13th Jan 2005