Rugby: Oxford give Cambridge the blues

Dark Blues backs Alex Cheesman and James Crozier struck for scores that helped Oxford build an imposing 15-3 interval lead.

Although Cambridge gained a penalty try on the back of a dominant scrum, which skipper Jimmy Richards converted following his earlier penalty, Oxford comfortably did enough for victory.

Fly-half Charlie Marr chipped in with three penalties and a conversion - he missed just once from five shots at goal - as Oxford avenged last season's 31-27 defeat.

Oxford established early territorial supremacy, yet both sides were guilty of technical indiscipline that referee Andrew Small punished.

Mistakes abounded during a scoreless opening quarter, but Oxford then went ahead through an opening Marr penalty after Cambridge flanker Jason Kururangi infringed.

And Marr's strike launched a points blitz as the Dark Blues posted two well-worked tries in four minutes. Cheesman scored the first following quality approach work by his fellow centre Sean Morris, before Cheesman turned provider by sparking some slick threequarter work that resulted in Crozier crossing unopposed.

Marr converted Cheesman's touchdown, leaving Cambridge 15-0 behind and their coaching consultant - Wasps and Wales defence specialist Shaun Edwards - with plenty to ponder.

Richards kicked a penalty on the stroke of half-time following a botched earlier attempt, but Oxford were good value for a 12-point interval lead despite Cambridge showing glimpses of set-piece authority.

Cambridge collected a penalty try when Small's patience ran out with the Oxford pack, and Richards' conversion set up an intriguing closing quarter.

But a second Marr penalty eased Oxford nerves, before he completed his penalty hat- trick in the final minute after Cambridge hooker Jamie Gilbert had been carried off injured.