The Dark Blues maintained their grip on the Truelove Bowl as they scored an emphatic 6-3 success over Cambridge in the 105th Varsity Match at Oxford Town Hall on Tuesday.

Chief coach Des Brackett, who saw Oxford secure a 5-0 winning lead before Cambridge could open their account, praised his team who rose to the occasion amid a cauldron of noise and passion in the packed arena.

He said: “Every single one of those boys have worked hard this season and the result speaks for itself – we beat the Light Blues 6-3 for the second year in succession.”

Featherweight Michael Davis gave the home side a perfect start with a convincing points win over Cambridge captain John Lacy in the first bout.

And the post graduate physicist found the perfect formula – imposing two standing counts from unanswered clusters in successive rounds.

Mathematician James Watson was always too nimble for rival Nick Melgaard and upended him with a calculated right hand that saw him unable to beat the count, bringing to an end the lightweight counter with 28 seconds remaining.

Light-welterweight Tom Eliasz followed his example by landing a precise left on Guy Sucharitakul that heralded a count towards the end of the first round.

An unanswered cluster in the following round persuaded referee Kevin Mason to step in and end the misery of the Cambridge man.

Ollie Harriman provided a captain’s innings at welterweight where he was embroiled in an enthralling battle with Aron Schleider.

The Cambridge man was stunned by a flurry – prompting a count during the middle period – but remained game to the end as the faces on both men were awash with blood.

Ben Bussman had the prescription for an Oxford victory by getting the nod over Sebastian Pender on a split decision.

Despite incurring a public warning in the final round, the New College medical student had the edge in a tense light-middleweight clash.

Leading 5-0 with the Truelove Bowl safely back in the trophy cabinet, the Dark Blues suffered their first defeat as Tommy Williams succumbed to three standing counts before Borna Guevel claimed a second-round stoppage.

And Cambridge also claimed a second middleweight win as Chris Webb outpointed Simon Lack.

Oxford Light-heavyweight Ben Morris had won both his previous Varsity encounters inside schedule, but rival Chris Kelly refused to be bowled over, although losing on points.

Undefeated heavyweight Andrei Akhvlediani was bidding for his second Varsity win but was outscored by taller Light Blues rival Chris Meurice.

Light-welterweight Harley Mace provided the perfect end for his Oxford colleagues by coming from behind to outpoint Lee Cutter, from Southampton, in a support bout.

RESULTS.

(Oxford first).

Featherweight: M Davis bt J Lacy unan pts.

Lightweight: J Watson bt N Melgaard KO3.

Light-welterweight: T Eliasz bt G Sucharitakul stppd 2nd.

Welterweight: O Harriman bt A Schleider unan pts.

Light-middleweight: B Bussman bt S Pender maj pts.

Middleweight A: T Williams lost to B Guevel stppd 2nd.

Middleweight B: S Lack lost to C Webb unan pts.

Light-heavyweight: B Morris bt C Kelly unan pts.

Heavyweight: A Akhvlediani lost to C Meurice maj pts.

Support bout (light-welterweight): H Mace bt L Cutter (Southampton) unan pts.