12 Dec 08

The victorious Oxford Rugby team celebrate their victory.

In yesterday's Nomura-sponsored Rugby Varsity match at Twickenham Oxford withstood a Cambridge comeback to secure a 33-29 victory.

Oxford winger Tim Catling was the hero, scoring the first hat-trick of tries in the match since 1934 and ensuring that Oxford could endure sustained pressure from Cambridge and break the Light Blues' three-year winning streak.

The winning margin might have been greater, had Tom Gregory's conversion of Catlin's first try counted - as replays suggested it should have done. As it was the decision ensured a close fought game in which Oxford's attacking philosophy - inculcated by Steve Hill, Oxford's Director of Rugby - reaped rich rewards. 

The game saw a record total points score with Catling scoring three Oxford tries, Peter Clarke getting over the line once, and the rest of the winning team's points coming from Tom Gregory with the boot.

The Varsity Rugby match was sponsored by financial services firm Nomura.