VARSITY MATCH: LIVE

Welcome to Twickenham, and The Tab’s live Varsity Match coverage.

Rob Malaney’s boys will be desperate to prevent the Other Place making it three in a row, but face a tough battle, after they were outclassed in last year’s 28-10 defeat.

Follow all the action live!

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15.48 That’s all from me. We’ll have a full report up in a couple of hours, complete with photos from the game. Thanks to everyone who followed this live feed today, sorry about the result, we did all we could! Leave some commiserations below for the men who gave their all out there, I’m sure they’d love to hear them.

15.45 Tears from some of the Cambridge boys as John Carter, who remember played very little part in this year’s game, goes up to lift the trophy. Congratulations have to go to Oxford for their comeback, but we’ll be back next year!

15.41 Cambridge applaud their opponents off the pitch, looking devastated. They climb those long steps to receive their losers tankards. There were a lot of questions about this side, and they performed admirably.

15.39 Man of the match Sam Egerton tells TV that letters from Old Boys inspired them to go the extra mile today. I don’t think anyone can claim that our boys didn’t give everything they had, but in the last few minutes they just couldn’t hold on.

15.37 They do all they can, but there’s nothing happening. Max Mather runs out of space, and the whistle blows. A valiant display from Cambridge, who led for most of the match, but just not enough on the day. It’s three in a row for The Other Place.

15.34 Could that be it? 3 minutes to go and Scott Annett is penalised for not releasing. Marr kicks another 3, and Cambridge need a converted try to draw, with a minute to play.

15.31 And that is why we forwards can’t stomach backs. Cambridge drive form the 22 to 1 yard out, a feat of technique and strength. When it’s finally puled down the backs stumble right back to the 22 before Abraham has a kick charged down, and Oxford’s Bramham Law races 90 yards. Will Smith did get back and make a superb recovery tackle, but now the light blues have to start again inside their own half.

15.28 Just when Cambridge looked out of ideas, moving backward in midfield, the Oxford forwards commit another infringement. Cambridge have good ball inside the Oxford 22. The maul starts to move…

15.25 Cambridge 19-23 Oxford It’s that man Egerton again. He breaks from a ruck, and puts Charlie Marr under the posts for a try he can convert. It’s all gone wrong, but there’s still time…

15.23 13 minutes to go and Cambridge are having to hang on in there. The game loses its only international, as Oxford 10 Hudson is replaced by Hughes.

15.21 Finally some ball for Cambridge. They go right, and Cook gets his first touch, makng headway on the wing. Eventually, once it slows down, Abraham drills it towards the corner, and Oxford line out 10 out.  

15.18 Cambridge 19-16 Oxford Some technical difficulties have swallowed the last two updates, and you’ve missed a lot, but nothing good. Egerton has moved from fullback to scrum half and is pulling all the strings, eventually using quick ball to put James Harris in on the far side. Cambridge respond by bringing on Kristian Cook and Nick Marshall for Stephen and Stu Brown.

15.13 That line-out is cleared nowhere, and now it’s a Cambridge throw, 15 out. They lose it though, and then after it’s kicked long Smith and Stephens contrive to knock the ball forward near half-way. Ollie Wolfe is on in place of the hard tackling Kelly in the back row.

15.10 Egerton has been the Other Place’s best player so far, but he gets munched then, trying to run the ball back, and Brakely does superbly to hold off 3 Oxons at the break down and win a penalty. Cambridge look threatening until Stephen knocks on trying to offload 10 yards out. Although the ref decides it went backwards, and it’ll be a line-out.

15.07 Cambridge 19-11 Oxford Are just about making their first up tackles, but they look sloppy around the fringes. A long period of Oxford pressure before they spin it wide, and Sam Egerton, up from fullback, escapes three tackles to score in the left corner. The conversion drifts right.

15.05 Another big hit from Dugal Bain (he’s been immense today) and then some tidy work at the breakdown from Nate Brackley earn Cambridge a scrum, but it buckles under pressure from the Oxford tight 5, and it’s a penalty. That’ll be a Dark Blue line-out in the Cambridge 22 and they get the maul rolling…

15.02 A lovely cross-kick from Abraham sets Murdoch away, he’s wrapped up by two but gets the offload away and Cambridge look like they have numbers, but the ball doesn’t come back and they conced a penalty at the ruck. That’s a shame, because it was genuinely clever and well-executed rugby.

 15.00 That’s another huge tackle as Cambridge chase an Oxford kick, but the Dark Blues do eventually make progress, running through a few tackles before knocking on just inside the Cambridge half. Handling must be tough out their in this cold.

14.59 Cambridge 19-6 Oxford No mistake. Lead up to 13.

14.58 More indiscipline from the Dark Blue forwards. They concede a penalty on half-way, and when Cambridge’s attack breaks down on the left wing, they are rewarded with another one, bang in front, on the 22. Stephen steps up…

14.56 We’re back underway, Cambridge with a 10 point lead, and they’ve replaced number 8 Matt Steele, who had a good first half, with Max Mather of Downing. So both starting 8s off.

14.56 A bit of Varsity trivia for you. This year we return to professional assistant referees after last year’s experiment to have the previous club presidents run the line was deemed unsuccessful.

14.55 Oxford back out nice and early, Cambridge keep them waiting a couple. I don’t blame the. It’s cold.

14.52 Just seen some highlights of that half. Carter seemed to hurt his knee as he went to body-check a Cambridge runner. Not nice to see. Elsewhere that tackle from Dugal Bain in the 10th minute was absolutely HUGE. Could watch it on repeat for hours!

14.47 Well, that can only be described as a very good half for our boys. Seeing their nemesis from last year John Carter escape punishment from the referee, but suffer it at the hands of his own body, will have given them confidence. Then that try at the death put daylight between the sides.

14.45 I’m reliably informed that 5 Cambridge fans attempted to ‘do the Poznan’ after that try. The Tab salutes you, but that’s not really what we do at Twickers.

14.44 HALF TIME Cambridge 16-6 Oxford What a boost that is, just a couple of minutes before half-time too. As a Caius lad has pointed out to us by email, you can see the belief growing in the Cambridge players. They win a penalty at a scrum and that’ll be the half.

14.41 TRY Cambridge 16-6 Oxford Great score. Great score. Hugo Kelly makes ground down the right, two quick offloads set Will Smith through on the touchline. He goes himself but just when he looks to have been stopped offloads to his fellow wing Andrew Murdoch who scores in the corner. Stephen adds the extras brilliantly.

14.40 Like the 21s earlier, the Blues look dangerous from set plays. This time they almost put Stephen into a gap. Still have the ball inside the Oxford 22.

14.35 Danny Holmes, take a bow. A superb interception interupts an Oxford move, and he then bounces off the full-back before being stopped 20 metres out. Steele drives on but doesn’t release, so nothing comes of it, but top work from the centre. Once the Light Blues recover the ball they move it left, where Will Smith is unceremoniously dumped by James Harris. Will Briggs then wins a penalty with some superb work at the breakdown. All a bit tit-for-tat here.

14.33 Cambridge apply a bit of pressure for the first time in a while, a couple of well placed kicks in behind, from Tullie than Stephen put Oxford on the back foot.

14.30 Cambridge 9-6 Oxford Oxford seem to be unfazed by the loss of thier captain, and are right back in this. Once again it’s the cantab defence that’s letting them down.

14.28 One way traffic. No sooner than Abraham clears Cambridge lines but Egerton shows great hands, and then an excellent kick, to but Oxford riht back down in the light blue 22. Big effort needed in defence now, and it comes, but at the expense of a penalty 5 out, bang in front. An easy 3 points and a warning to Cambridge.

14.27 And here they come again, a lovely inside ball releasing Oscar Vallance, who races to the Cambridge 22 before Will Smith brings him down, Cambridge turn it over and an Oxford prop gives away the most blatant offside call I’ve ever seen.

14.25 The Dark Blues are just starting to get a foothold, running the ball from deep, and twice making half-breaks there, before Dugal Bain is pinged for lying all over the ball. Silly, needless penalty, and play is back in the Cambridge half.

14.22 Cambridge 9-3 Oxford Another big tackle from Hugo Kelly in midfield, but Oxford get a penalty, and they should be back in this. Through it goes. But, and this is big, John Carter has left the field, can’t shrug off that injury it seems. Gus Jones on in his place.

14.21 A really good start here, we’ve seen nothing from Oxford yet, but an early lead, as the 21s saw, is no garuantee..

14.19 Cambridge 9-0 OxfordHe gets away without, which I have to say is a surprise, given that both referee and touch judge saw it. Not seen a replay yet, to be fair, so maybe it looked worse from up hear. Anyway, Stephen has a shot from bang in front. And that’s 9-0.

14.16 With Cambridge looking to break around the fringes, the Oxford captain Carter has put in an off-the-ball shoulder charge. I’m not sure who it was he hit, Carter is the man down, it’s a penalty to Cambridge, and once Carter gets up he could get a card…

14.15 This is getting very physical. Hugo Kelly gets away with a late one on the Oxford 10, and as Seb Tullie catches it he is absolutely hammered. Cambridge recycle though and first Will Smith on the left and then Rob Stephen on the right find space. THAT IS HORRIBLE.

14.11 Cassian Bramham Law (is there a more Oxford name?) has a go from 40 metres, just to the left of centre, but it’s never close. Still 6-0.

14.09 Hits are flying in from the Cambridge defence, as Oxford have their first spell of possession. A couple of pieces of indiscipline though, after an absolutely huge tackle, mean that the Other Place have a chance to score their first points.

14.07 Cambridge 6-0 Oxford Just hard enough. Just. Good kick.

City boy points out below that Oxford certainly have more experience, and in their skipper John Carter, a former Exeter Chief who almost single-handedly destroyed us last year, black eye and all, they have a real performer.

14.05 Another penalty from the restart, that’s already 3 in the first 5 mins from Oxford. The Tab welcomes this indiscipline, as the light blues get up to the 22 again. And are given another penalty. Slightly further out, and 5 metres from the touchline this one, but Stephen is going for goal again.

14.04 Cambridge 3-0 OxfordPoints on the board. Stephen pushes it through, just glancing the inside of the far post on its way over.

14.03 With Cambridge moving back slightly, Andrew Abraham puts a kick in behind, forcing, Sam Egerton, the Dark Blue full-back to carry into touch. A line-out inside the Oxford 22 becomes a penalty, and Rob Stephen steps up…

14.01 And the scrum becomes a penalty. A bit of handbags as well from the front rows after the award. Hotting up nicely.

14.00 Oxford kick off – the 131st Varsity match is underway. Cambridge gather and send it back – where it’s dropped by the Oxford winger. A light blue scrum. Ideal.

13.59 A student from each university belts out the national anthem, I try and fail to think up a royal baby pun to slip in, and we’re ready to go. First win of the day for Cambridge, our fans outshouting the Other Place.

13.57 Teams in the tunnel…and here they come. Remember, you can get in touch with your comments via email ([email protected]), twitter (@tabcambridge) or by commenting below. How do you think this one’s going to go?

13.53 Jerusalem rings around this massive stadium. Enough to warm the heart, if not the rest of the body. Lovely. 5 minutes to go.

13.49 Twickenham filling up nicely, particularly the Cambridge end away to my left. Just over 10 minutes to go til kick-off, there’s a fair bit of nervous tension around.

13.45 Players to watch for: Rob Stephen is the first King’s choral scholar to play in the Varisty match since….well, a long time. Stu Brown will be important up front, and the Cambridge pack will need to perform at its best if we’re to have any chance. And of course, the pace and power of winger, Tab writer, and ‘the best thing since Jesus’ Will Smith will be an attacking threat.

13.41 And the Cambridge team, now going through their paces out on the hallowed turf:

15. Rob Stephen – King’s

14. Andy Murdoch – Homerton

13. Danny Holmes – Hughes Hall

12. Dugal Bain – Jesus

11. Will Smith – Girton

10. Andrew Abraham – Homerton

9. Seb Tullie – Emma

1. Will Briggs (B) – Magdalene

2. Paul Mallaband – Emma

3. Stu Brown (B) – Clare

4. Nate Brakeley – St Ed’s

5. Scott Annett (B) – Clare

6. Rob Malaney (B) c) – St Ed’s

7. Hugo Kelly – John’s

8. Matt Steele – St Ed’s Replacements:

16. Rupert Cowan 17. Nick Marshall 18. Frank Sanders 19. Max Mather 20. Ollie Wolfe (B) 21. Kristian Cook (B) 22. Ilia Cherezov (B) 23. Kieran Hegarty

 

13.38 It’s also worth noticing that 7 of the Oxford men come from Kellog, a postgrad college. Not that there’s a problem with that, but more than a hint that some of these guys may have reached the university with a day like this in mind.

13.36 That Oxford team then – those 6 blues have a B next to their name.

15. Egerton, 14. Lamont, 13. Bramham Law (B), 12. Turner (B), 11. Vallance, 10. Hudson (B), 9. Commins, 1. Anderson (B), 2. Gardner, 3. Baker, 4. Law (B), 5. Rowlands, 6. Waddingham, 7. Harris. 8. Carter (B) (c)

13.30 Half an hour to go then, and time to take a look at the team that Rob Malaney has named. Only 4 returning blues for the Cambridge side and all of them in the pack – but three blues sat on the bench who played last year. Oxford, on the other hand, have 6 returning blues, running right through the spine of the team. And in fly-half Jonathan Hudson, they have a full international…for Switzerland. Still, that’s more caps than our Light Blue boys can boast this year.

13.23 Before we turn our attention to the main event, a few of your comments, emails and tweets. Steph Lipman has tweeted @cambridgetab, saying “At work, wishing I was at Twickenhm…religiously refreshing the @tabcambridge live feed. #GDBO”. Thanks Steph, we appreciate it. As for the comment asking me to lay off the BNOC chat, you sound bitter? Did you fail to make our list?

13.20 Right, I’m back inside and my fingers have regained feeling, so time to look back on that game. It wasn’t a terrible performance from the Cambridge side, but they just couldn’t cope in defense, particularly in the early part of the second half. Hard to pick out any stand-out performers, although Chris Blucke took his try well and alway threatened. I’m sure several of them will be back next year, and making the step up to the Blues squad.

13.02 A shame then for the 21s boys, who look utterly devastated out there. They gave it their all, but it just wasn’t enough. It’ll all be forgotten if the first team can win later though. That starts in about an hour or so, i’ll be back in 30 once i’ve warmed my hands a touch!

13.00 FULL TIME Cambridge 17-31 Oxford They almost get it too, Blucke finding space and putting Thompson through, bt he’s stopped by an excellent tap tackle. And that’s it, not the start we were hoping for.

12.56 Oxford clear their lines and Cambridge are going to have to attack from deep. They earn a scrum half-way inside Oxford territory, but with 2 minutes left, any score now would be little more than consolation.

12.54 And when they do get it wide, that happens. A lovely move releases Blucke, who looks like he’ll make it in at the corner, but a superb cover tackle from Oxford winger Sam Wareham, covering across the field, forces him out.

12.52 Cambridge, cambridge, cambridge. Three times there, 5 metres out, Cambridge had an overlap. Each time they went inside, until eventually a knock on relinquishes possession, and Oxford clear. For all the problems in defence, Cambridge could have scored 5 tries today.

12.50 The Dark Blue back row have shown some lovely handlng skill today, and I’m sorry to say Cambridge haven’t been able to cope at times in this second half. Heathcote throws a lovely inside ball, but eventually Bell is brought down, and Cambridge get a penalty.

12.46 Tab favourite Hugo Cobb is replaced, not his best game I’m afraid. Still, the replacements seem to have given Cambridge som new life, Jamie Crawford breaking a tackle and into the Oxford 22, before holding on too long and being pinged.

12.44 Cambridge 17-31 Oxford Cambridge makes several changes, Lloyd, McBride and Williams on, and it has an instant impact, McBride running strongly down the right, and when it comes back for a penalty, Lloyd bundles over. Easy extras added, a glimmer of hope?

12.42 Cambridge 10-31 Oxford It gets worse. Oxford drive a line-out up to the line and flanker Fraser Heathcote, a Cambridge-born boy, goes over. The conversion hits the post from the touchline, but Oxford are out of sight.

12.41 That may just be that. With 17 minutes remaining, Cambridge are 16 points behind, and I just can’t see any way back.

12.38 Cambridge 10-26 Oxford A better kick from Foster ears Cambridge a line out just outside the Oxford 22, and they run a superb back move, which puts Tom Hudson through. He almost makes it all the way, but is stopped just short. Then, with an overlap a pass is intercepted, and Oxford’s replacement propDean Irvine runs 90 metres to score. That’ll be a tough one to take.

12.36 They’re almost in again. Foster kicks possession away with an aimless up and under, and Oxford counter with quick hands. The referee’s whistle calls them back however, a slight forward pass saving Cambridge this time.

12.33 I hate to say it, but Oxford look like scoring every time they have the ball in this second half. They would too, if Will Boardman didn’t knock on 10 metres out. Meanwhile, David Leahy is on in place of James Scott on the Cambridge flank.

12.31 Downing lock Luke Thompson is the first man off the Cambirdge bench. What impact can he make? Not much at first, Oxford’s try scorer Barnes put into space and marauding into the light blue 22, before his winger is bundled into touch.

12.28 Couple of changes in the Oxford pack, but it’s the light blues who need to find an extra gear. Seb Foster ducks inside on half-way when there was a three on two outside him. 30 minutes left to save this one…

12.25 Cambridge 10-19 Oxford And they break beautifully. Williams and Bell combine on the right and but for a hand in from Hudson, deliberately knocking on, they would score. Hudson would surely have seen yellow had the Dark Blues not arrived in numbers, secured the ball, and danced throug again, hooker Dan Barnes scoring under the posts. Cambridge are under the cosh here.

12.23 This is better. A bit of attacking innovation from the Cambridge backs gives Blucke space to run into the Oxford 22. But Roope is turned over 10 metres from the line and Oxford can break.

12.22 Where has the Cambridge defense gone? Oxford work it wide from the kick off and again would have been through if their handling were a bit better. In the end it comes to nothing inside their own half, and Cambridge have a scrum.

12.20 Cambridge 10-12 Oxford Cambridge are behind for the first time, Matt Shorthose  continuing kicking duties.

12.19 That should have been a try for the Dark Blues. They work a clever overlap down the left, brteaking at page, Dace goes through but decides to pass and Tom Hudson gets back in the nick of time to put a hand in. Still pressure though, and Doug Sexton repeats the feat almost exactly seconds later, again throwing the ball away at the last moment. Eventually Oxford get a penalty in front of the posts, but that could, and should, have been a five-pointer.

12.18 Yep, we’re back underway, Cambridge leading by the odd point in 19.

12.16 Currently showing on the big screen is a Jack Wills video asking who the biggest name on campus is. Will Smith resists naming himself. But enough of that, second half is about to start…

12.12 HALF TIME Cambridge 10-9 Oxford As the whistle goes we’re still in the lead, but  it could be so much more. Oxford look dangerous but Cambridge have had the clear-cut chances and should probably have scored more points.

12.11 Oh dear. That was poor from everyone. Oxford’s backs knock on, then Seb Foster kicks straight into touch. Back where we started really, give or take 2 yards.

12.09 It’s settled down into a battle in the middle of the park for the moment. Oxford having  a spell of possession, but going nowhere, until a little grubber through forces Tom Hudson to carry the ball into touch just inside his own 22.

12.07 Robinson captain Jonny Miller charges down a kick from the Oxford scrum half and regathers. Cambridge up to the 5-metre line….but are penalised once it slows down.

12.06 For all their territorial dominance then, Cambridge still only 1 point up – they may come to rue that. But wait…

12.02 Cambridge 10-9 Oxford This isn’t so good. Twice in 2 minutes Cambridge’s backs  knock it on in the middle of the park, and the second time it leads to an Oxford break. A necessary infringement slows it down, but Dace just has the legs with his kick to reduce the deficit to 1 point.

11.58 That is superb. Nick Roope, leading by example, leaps high to gather the kick off from out of the hands of an Oxford man. A penalty is soon forthcoming, but Foster misses it this time. A shame, that deserved more.

11.57 A few worryin signs out there. When the Oxford forwards get their heads down, they seem to be breaking tackles rather too often. They find themselves inside the 22, and Dace steps back to slot a drop goal. 10-6 Cambridge lead.

11.54 A knock-on from scrum-half Vora there, but an important one. Oxford’s O’Halloran had chipped over the defence, and though he didn’t gather cleanly, Vora’s halted that attack well. Cambridge spoil the scrum too, winning one of their own.

11.51 MUNCHED. That’ll hurt. Cambridge win the line-out on Oxford’s throw, and Vora’s box kick is chased superby by Hudson, who hits his opposite man very very hard. That’s what today is all about boys!

11.50 So, a great first 20 for the Light Blues, 7 up against 14 men. Dace returns to the field now, and his first action is to push a penalty into touch about 15 metres out, after Cambridge were penalised for being in front of the kicker.

11.48 TRY Cambridge 8-3 Oxford Oxford’s full-back is having a nightmare. First he drops a high ball over his own line, just saving his own blushes with some fancy footwork. Then, when Cambridge kick from deep he is beaten to the bouncing ball by winger Chris Blucke, who the referee decides, after checking with his assistant, got the ball down. Foster adds the extrass, 10-3

11.45 Cambridge 3-3 Oxford Despite having their kicker in the bin, Oxford are level, Matt Shorthose putting it through.

11.43 A half-break for Boardman of Oxford gets them up to the 22, and onother from Bell, filling in at first receiver, takes them further, Cambridge missing tackles all over the place. Eventually however, with the advantage, Oxford go blind when they have men open, the chance is gone, but a shot at three…

11.41 Cambridge 3 – 0 Oxford Cambridge take immediate advantage. Seb Foster steps through the gap that Dace had left, and is only stopped a few yards short. Alderson made it even closer, but when he’s held up short the ref comes bakc fro a penalty against the retreating forwards. Foster slots it home no problem, 3-0.

11.39 YELLOW CARD – Dace, Oxford Off that scrum Cambridge go inside to Gill, who is dumped – or in the referee’s mind speared – by the opposing fly half. Penalty, and ten minutes in the bin for Dace. Harsh one that.

11.38 Ohhh, that was a chance. Only on the half-way line, but the Dark Blue backs work a  5 on 3 overlap, only for full-back O’Halloran to squander it, and then knock on.

11.37 And the line-out comes to even less, another penalty against Cambridge for crossing in midfield. A bit scrappy so far.

11. 35 It’s all happening here. Cambridge are pinged for a ruck infringement on the Oxford 22, the kick doesn’t find touch and Chris Blucke dances past three tackles before he’s brought down. Cambirdge continue to attack and skipper Roope goes through, only stopped 5 out. The pressure comes to nothing though, when the light blues knock on and Oxford clear.

11.33That scrum becomes a penalty and Cambridge have a basis fom which to attack.

11. 30 Right on cue, Will Dace kicks off. Cambridge gather and kick away, Oxford knock on, and it’s the first scrum of the game.

11.29 Here come the players, straight into a pre-match huddle. The light blues look a touch nervous…maybe that’s just extreme focus.

11.27 Just a couple of minutes to go until the U21s get started – the players have returned to the dressing rooms and the stadium is filling up…there must be at least 500 people in here now. Which isn’t very many when you look around the 80,000 seater. And most of them are school-kids. You must all be following it with us – good call!

11.24 So, who are the men to look out for in that Cambridge side? Captain Roope is one of 5 Jesus men in the 21s side, which also includes Tab BNOCs Hugo Cobb and Rob Hall in the pack. Much though will depend on the Fitz half-back pairing of Vora and Foster if Cambridge are to draw first blood on Varsity day.

 

11.20 And the men charged with getting us off to a good start:

15 George Smith – Pembroke

14 Tom Hudson – Jesus

13 Andrew Gill – Jesus

12 Jamie Crawford – John’s

11 Chris Blucke – Jesus

10 Seb Foster – Fitz

9 Kiran Vora – Fitz

1 Sam Alderson – Caius

2 Tom Blaksley – Homerton

3 Hugo Cobb – Magdalene

4 Oli Exton – Jesus

5 Rob Hall – Downing

6 Jonny Miller – Robinson

7 James Scott – Trinity

8 Nick Roope c) – Jesus

Replacements: 16 Pascoe (John’s), 17 Quarry (Selwyn), 18 Leahy (Fitz), 19 Thompson (Downing), 20 Lloyd (Clare), 21 Williams (Clare), 22 McBride (Pembroke), 23 Devane (Christ’s)

 

11.18  So, with just over 10 minutes until kick off in the first game, I guess it’s time to give you the line-ups – Oxford first:

15 O’Halloran, 14 Williams, 13 Boardman, 12 Bell,11 Wareham, 10 Dace, 9 Shorthouse, 1 Symington, 2 Barnes, 3 Littlejohns, 4 Russell, 5 Sexton, 6 Bonnell, 7 Heathcote, 8 Reeson-Price (c)

11.13  The 21s have been going through a pretty vigourous warm-up out there. You’d have to, to keep warm today. No wind to speak of, but it’s bloody freezing here at the home of rugby. Kudos to the hundred or so hardy Cambridge fans already in the North Stand!

11.10  It’s still almost three hours until kick off, but before then we have the small matter of the U21s to attend to. TPJ may not have been at training this year, but there’s still plenty of talent on the light blue side.

11.08 If you haven’t already done so, check out our match preview here. And remember, you can get in touch all day by commenting below, or emailing [email protected]. We’ll publish your comments here as the Light Blue machine storms to victory.

11. 05 That’s right, the 131st Varsity Match is almost upon us, with Cambridge looking to right the wrongs of last year. And over the next four hours, I’ll be here to take you through the action.

11.00 Six days ago, the stadium in front of me errupted with joy to celebrate one of the biggest shocks in rugby history. We may not get 80,000 in today, but don’t expect this crowd to be any less passionate. Welcome to Twickenham.

 

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It’s settled down into a battle in the middle of the park for the moment. Oxford having  a spell of possession, but going nowhere, until a little grubber through forces Tom Hudson to carry the ball into touch just inside his own 22.

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15. Egerton, 14. Lamont, 13. Bramham Law (B), 12. Turner (B), 11. Vallance, 10. Hudson (B), 9. Commins, 1. Anderson (B), 2. Gardner, 3. Baker, 4. Law (B), 5. Rowlands, 6. Waddingham, 7. Harris. 8. Carter (B) (c)

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6. Rob Malaney (B) c) – St Ed’s11. 30 p

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/p15 O’Halloran, 14 Williams, 13 Boardman, 12 Bell,11 Wareham, 10 Dace, 9 Shorthouse, 1 Symington, 2 Barnes, 3 Littlejohns, 4 Russell, 5 Sexton, 6 Bonnell, 7 Heathcote, 8 Reeson-Price (c)

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14.33 6. Rob Malaney (B) c) – St Ed’s11. 30 p