Live Blog: Rugby Varsity 2015 at Twickenham

That’s That!

4.17pm – THE FINAL WHISTLE GOES! Cambridge men are on their knees after a heroic effort, but the O’s victory was thoroughly deserved, in one of the tightest Varsity’s in years.

4.16pm – Tom Stileman, the O’s no. 11, has just been named MOTM, but Cambridge have a scrum with seconds remaining. It’s all or nothing now as time is up.

4.15pm – NERVES OF STEEL! Straight down the middle, and that could be that! Oxford 12 – 6 Cambridge.

4.14pm – The O’s send a driving maul into the Cambridge 22 looking to see out this game, and win another penalty. The tee has been brought on. This could seal it!

4.11pm – SIN BIN! Cambridge 15 takes out his opposite man in the air, leading to a nasty fall. He’s a lucky boy not to see red, but Cambridge down to 14 for the last 5 minutes.

4.10pm – Oxford pick up the loose ball, and hack it down field, only for Cambridge to recover well in their 22, and put it down field.

4.09pm – The O’s just have to hold on now, but Cambridge have possession in the Oxford 22, looking to drive it up the middle. They chuck it wide, and are camped on the 5m line.

4.08pm – They go for goal, and take the lead! Oxford 9 – 6 Cambridge. 

4.06pm – Patient defending is rewarded  well as the O’s win a line out just outside the Cambridge 22, but frustratingly lose their own ball. They fling it wide after the following kick, and make a break down into the Cambridge 22, winning a penalty in the process with only 8 minutes remaining.

4.03pm – Pace of the game has slowed down now, as the nerves start to kick in. Cambridge looking to keep the ball through the pack, but not really going anywhere.

4.02pm – Straight forward kick, and Oxford back on level terms! What a finish we have in store in these final 15 minutes. Oxford 6 – 6 Cambridge

4.00pm – Oxford really starting to punch some holes in this tired Cambridge defence as they approach the 22, and they win a penalty right in front of the posts. I think you know what’s coming…

3.58pm – More bad luck as Cambridge continue their dominance in the pack to win a scrum just outside their own try line, which they deal with well, and send it down towards the half way line, met with huge applause.

3.55pm – The Oxford coaches do not look happy, but a penalty was awarded before the dropped ball for offside, so the O’s have another chance with this line out on the 5m.

3.54pm – WHAT A CHANCE! Oxford brilliantly shift the ball from one side to the other, and perform the 2 on 1 to perfection, only for the full back to drop the ball over the line, much to the delight of the Cambridge fans! How costly could that be?

3.51 pm – Chance for the O’s to pounce back with a line out in the Cambridge 22, with a maul of their own, pushing them right to the 5m line!

3.49 pm – The O’s forwards aren’t coping well with the driving mauls at all! They concede a penalty in the 22, and point to the posts. No an easy kick in these winds, but it flies over! Oxford 3 – 6 Cambridge.

3.45pm – Chance as the ball is looped over and into the wingers hands, only for him to be flung off the pitch in the 22. But Cambridge steal the line out and should have scored! A scrappy defence from O’s makes up for the overlap, and Oxford can breathe easier…for now.

3.44pm – ‘CAMBRIDGE’ is being sung tremendously as their boys fling it wide and crash into the 22. They win a line out, and set up their rolling maul once more

3.42pm – The Cambridge boys embrace as the scrum wins them a penalty. No sign of Jamie Roberts however, who has resigned to the bench as Cambridge produce a strong driving maul into the O’s half.

3.40pm – It’s getting quite messy out there as the O’s are flinging offloads all over the shop, which leads to a fumble, and a chance for Cambridge to catch their breath in a fast start to this tense half. Scrum to Cambridge just inside their own half.

3.37pm – And we are underway for the 2nd half! Oxford have had the early pressure in the Cambridge 22, but the light blue and white’s are holding firm as in the 1st half. Oxford have possession with a series of rucks on the 22 as the cries of ‘OXFORD’ ring round the ground.

2nd Half underway!

3.16pm – A chance for Oxford just before the break! Lovely offloading down the blindside leaves a 2 on 1, but Cambridge defence stands firm to force a knock on, and that’s half time! Oxford 3 – 3 Cambridge. We’ll be back shortly with the second half.

3.13pm – Oxford definitely the better team ending this half, but the Cambridge defence is proving to be a nuisance, as they turn the ball over and begin to spin it wide, much to the delight of the fans.

3.09pm – Strong running has brought the O’s to within inches of the Cambridge line, but a strong Cambridge defence pushes them into touch just short of the end zone. Oxford building some momentum just before half time, but the Cambridge fans are doing their bit to boost the morale.

3.05pm – Boos all around as the Mexican Wave attempt is given the cold shoulder, as Oxford rack up the phases in the Cambridge 22.

3.03pm – Patient phase play and some good running rugby from Oxford, who earn a penalty in between the 22 and the half way. They choose to go for goal, but it is pulled wide. Still all square.

2.59pm – Oxford straight back at them with a rare chance into the Cambridge 22, but a fumble leads to a scuffed box kick from the Cambridge 9. Just under 15 minutes left of the 1st half

2.57pm – Jamie Roberts leading the show in an unfamiliar role of 10, as Cambridge break into the Oxford 22 once again and win a penalty, which their 9 coverts. Oxford 3 – 3 Cambridge.

2.52pm – Even stevens so far, as Oxford win a penalty on their 22 after some pressure from the blue and whites. Oxford Fans matching the imaginative chants with ‘OX–FORD. PLAY! PLAY!’ Impressive stuff.

2.47pm – Cambridge straight back at the other end, as a rolling maul leads to phase play on the Oxford line, but good defence leads to a scrum to Oxford on their own 5 metre line, and a fine clearing kick.

2.44pm – Dangerous leg lift from the Cambridge defence allows Oxford to take a pop at the posts for the first points of the game, and do so nicely! 3-0 to Oxford.

2.39pm – ‘Go Go Cambridge’ are the imaginative chants coming from one end of the stadium, but it’s Oxford who have possession on Cambridge’s 22, racking up the phases.

2.37pm – A nice chip and chase from Oxford’s 10 brings them to the half way line, but ill discipline is costing them, as Cambridge put them back into the 22.

2.35pm – Chance for Cambridge with a 2 on 1, but they fumble near the line, and Oxford relieve their pressure with a fine kick. Bad news for captain Lamont however, who is forced to come off following a blow to the neck.

2.33pm – Opening phases and Cambridge throwing the ball from left to right well, with Jamie Roberts already in the thick of things – and as a result, an Oxford player is already down injured from his collision.

2.29pm – The teams are out! A minutes silence for the 55 fallen blues from WW1 followed by the national anthem has produced an electric atmosphere, as the ref blows the whistle to start the match. Game on!

2.24pm – Team announcements being made – big cheer for Oxford’s captain Henry Lamont in the centres, accompanied by a chorus or screams for Welsh international Jamie Roberts in the blue and white of Cambridge.

2.14pm – Both team’s are back down the tunnel now to pull on the famous jerseys and share some final words of wisdom. KO shortly as the crowd begins to settle down.

This was the dark blues arriving at Rugby HQ and they mean business.

Here comes the boom

13.43pm – The men are out warming up as we speak, as the Oxford ladies head down the tunnel after an unfortunate 52-0 loss to the ladies of Cambridge. Both mens teams look the part in their drills as the fans flock into the stadium.

The arena.

Today we’re going to be keeping you guys in the loop with all the rugby and shenanigans at the Varsity Match. Check back for regular updates.