Oxford University 18, Cambridge University 23

OXFORD University's dominance of the Varsity Match was ended by Cambridge in a bruising encounter at Twickenham.

The Dark Blues had not lost the annual fixture since 2009, but they tasted a painful defeat when bidding for a historic seventh successive win.

Trailing by ten points with five minutes go, conceding their first tries against Cambridge in two years, Ed David's unconverted score gave them hope.

However, it was all too late as the Light Blues prised the trophy from Oxford's firm grip.

The Dark Blues should have taken the lead on eight minutes, but Basil Strang's penalty attempt sailed wide.

However, the fly-half made amends moments later after the Light Blues were penalised at a scrum.

Leading 3-0, Oxford began to enjoy more territory, but they could not make the pressure count and on 26 minutes they were fortunate not to concede a try.

Cambridge's Simon Davies looked certain to collect Fraser Gillies's kick over the top, but Strang did just enough to put the winger off with the try line at his mercy.

However, the Light Blues did find the breakthrough on 38 minutes as centre Mike Phillips intercepted Oxford scrum half Henry de Berker's pass to storm over unopposed.

Fly half Gillies added the extras to give Cambridge a 7-3 lead at the break.

Within two minutes of the restart Oxford reduced the deficit to a point, thanks to Strang's monster 40-metre penalty.

But Cambridge hit back and Gillies slotted two penalties to make it 13-6 with 25 minutes remaining.

The Dark Blues responded well and full back Matt Geiger was stopped short of the try line.

Oxford continued to try to muscle their way through and the pressure paid off as a catch and drive saw them fall just short, before the ball was recycled for Henry Hughes to cruise over on the hour mark.

Strang converted to make it 13-13.

Just as the Dark Blues had the upper hand, they gifted Cambridge a chance to take the lead, but Gillies pulled his penalty attempt wide of the post.

The fly-half was handed another opportunity moments later, though, and made no mistake to make it 16-13.

It was becoming a game of missed penalties as Strang was off target on 72 minutes.

Unfortunately, that proved costly and with five minutes to go Rory Triniman dotted down in the corner despite the best efforts of Strang.

However, Oxford were not done and David raced over for an unconverted try to keep them in it.

It was all too late, though, as Cambridge cheers were heard around Twickenham for the first time since 2009.

Oxford University: Geiger, David, Hughes, Hogg (Kearns 59), Stileman, Strang, de Berker (Kershaw 43), Ball, Hart, Morris, Taylor, Grant (Beaufils 73), Roberts-Huntley, Blomfield (Marsden 77), Wilson.

Reps: Thornton, Scaife, Lu, MacGilchrist.

Cambridge University: Amesbury, Davies, Triniman, Phillips, King, Gillies, Tullie, Briggs, Burnett (Hugkulstone H/T), Dixon, Hunter (Lola Erogbogbo 60), Bond, Stanley, Du Toit, Dass (Lare Erogbogbo 62).

Reps: Somers, Moros, Bartholomew, Bell, Griffiths.