Oxford University 40, Penguins 26
Oxford University ended their season with an entertaining six-try victory at Iffley Road tonight.
The Penguins included Wasps’ rugby league convert Lee Smith at full back and Oxford’s 1987 Varsity Match skipper Bill Calcraft.
Oxford got off to a horrible start, conceding a counter-attack try to wing Rhys Crane inside a minute, Smith converting.
But they soon responded with some quick hands giving lock Chris Davies the platform to sprint in. Fly half Charlie Marr converted.
Soon afterwards, Oxford’s other second row, Dan Guinness, dummied his way through, Marr converting.
On 33 minutes, Japanese flanker Tosa Makoto powered over on the left and Marr again converted.
Smith jinked through a half-gap to score out wide for the Penguins.
Oxford began the second half with a bang – Will Browne scoring within a minute of the restart and Marr converting expertly.
The Penguins rallied, scrum half Harry Peck going over from a line-out move and Eoghan Hickie converting.
Captain Nick Haydon squeezed between a ruck and the corner flag for Oxford’s fifth try on 53 minutes.
On 78 minutes, Oxford’s forward effort was rewarded with a catch-and-drive try for prop Will Kane, converted by Marr.
In the final play, Crane sped through for his second try and converted it with a drop goal.
Oxford Univ: Yusef (Browne 18), Morris*, Cheesman*, Allfrey*, Cho (Phillips 46), Marr, Haydon* (capt) (Russell 78), Lutton* (Keys 78), Oliver (Rogers* 41), Kane (MacDonald 78), Davies*, Guinness, Rowe (Mather 53), Makoto*, Rickner.
Man-of-the-match: Makoto.
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