Drysdale snatches Varsity victory

Cambridge University 17 - Oxford University 16

Cambridge's scrum-half Alex Drysdale pulled them back from the brink in the 25th Varsity Match last night, his two tries and a drop goal overturning a 16-point deficit.

Cambridge's scrum-half Alex Drysdale pulled them back from the brink in the 25th Varsity Match last night, his two tries and a drop goal overturning a 16-point deficit.

The conditions played a big role at Richmond, with Drysdale in particular using the gale at his back to help seal the Light Blues' first win for four years.

Oxford's South African centre John Bradshaw, a union Blue, was instrumental in setting up their first-half lead. His pass to the full-back Matt Scaife paved the way for John Corcoran to score the first try, and he scored the second, converted by Joe Bailey. Then Alan Edington's grubber came back off the base of the post for Nigel Brook-Walters to touch down.

Cambridge finally made use of their possession when Drysdale struggled over with Sam Youdan adding the goal. Four minutes later Dave Bulley went over as Cambridge continued to exploit the blizzard that was now at their backs. Ten minutes from time Drysdale kicked through and a favourable bounce off the base of the post allowed him to touch down. Then, after Corcoran had knocked on, Drysdale's drop goal snatched the win.

Oxford University: Scaife; Dieppe, Daley, J Bradshaw, Corcoran; Drew, Edington; Campbell, Simpson, Dunnett, Hadfield, Raftery, Fitzgerald. Substitutes used: Mulryan, Edmonds, Brook-Walters, Dewsbury.

Cambridge University: Staten; Basu, Quentin, Bulley, Walding; Youdan, Drysdale; Ridgway, Rusling, Lloyd, Draycott, Phillips, Bennett. Substitutes used: Grundberg, Storey, Finnegan, C Bradshaw.

Referee: P Bentham (Warrington).