Oxford power to fourth straight Varsity rugby victory

The Dark Blues overturned an early deficit and never looked back, despite going down to 14 men when Sam Egerton was sent off.

It is the fourth successive win for Oxford, equalling their best run in the contest.

But it was Cambridge who got off to the better start in the 132nd Varsity Match, taking a 7-0 lead after 10 minutes.

Oxford captain and man-of-the-match John Carter went over to reduce the arrears before the Dark Blues took a 13-10 lead into half time following a Henry Lamont try and a Jonathan Hudson penalty.

Egerton's well-taken try extended Oxford's lead shortly after half time. However, the scrum half then became the first player to be dismissed in Varsity Match history after the television official deemed him guilty of making contact with an opponent's face.

That failed to halt the Dark Blues' progress, though, with a converted Nick Gardner try putting Oxford 27-10 up.

Cambridge rallied briefly but Oxford snuffed out any hopes of a comeback with two late Hudson penalties.

Oxford University: J Taylor; H Hughes, M Janney, G Turner, H Lamont; J Hudson, S Egerton; L Anderson, N Gardner, I Williams, M Rickner, W Rowlands, J Harris, G Jones. Replacements: F Heathcote, J Wisson, H Macdonald, T Reeson-Price, G MacGilchrist, M Shorthose, A Macdonald, E Doe, P Olivier.

Tries: Carter, Lamont, Egerton, Gardner Conversions: Hudson (2) Penalties: Hudson (3)