Ruthless Oxford cruises to Varsity victory

Oxford captain John Carter recovered from a cheap shot to inspire his team to victory

Oxford University’s rugby union team has won the 130th Nomura Varsity Match at Twickenham for the second consecutive year.

The Dark Blues ran in three tries to beat Cambridge 28-10 in front of a crowd of more than 27,000.

After going behind, Univ prop Will Kane, St Edmund Hall lock Karl Outen and Kellogg fly-half Tom Mitchell touched down while Hertford wing Cassian Bramham-Law kicked three penalties and a conversion to give Oxford its biggest win since 1988. Replacement Matt Janney (Oriel) converted late on after England Sevens international Mitchell’s jinking try.

After a fiery first half which included Oxford captain and number eight John Carter withdrawing to the blood bin after being punched by his opposite number, Oxford narrowly led 13-10 at the break. After the interval the Dark Blues turned on the style, picking apart a Cambridge defence whose coaching team included Shaun Edwards, scoring 15 unanswered points.

Skipper John Carter, formerly of the Sale Sharks, stood out for Oxford while Karl Outen received the Alastair Hignell medal for man of the match.

Oxford University: Jon Hudson (Lincoln); Sean Morris (Trinity), Sebastian Perkins (St Edmund Hall), Gavin Turner (Kellogg), Cassian Bramham-Law (Hertford); Tom Mitchell (Kellogg), Sam Egerton (Keble); Hamish Macdonald (Wadham), Govind Oliver (Green Templeton), Will Kane (University), Karl Outen (St Edmund Hall), Tom Evans (St Hugh's), Derek Asbun (Kellogg), Louis Mather (University), John Carter (Kellogg, Captain)

Replacements: Anthony Connor (Keble), Lewis Anderson (University), Jason Law (Kellog), Jamie Durward (Kellogg), Ruairi O'Donavon (Exeter), Harry Guinness (St Antony's), Matt Janney (Oriel), Jonathan Direen (Kellogg)

Tries: Kane, Outen, Mitchell. Conversions: Bramham-Law, Janney. Penalties: Bramham-Law (3)