Oxford 6, Cambridge 15

OXFORD failed to capitalise on vast swathes of second-half possession as they went down to an ultimately disappointing defeat at Twickenham.

Trailing 10-6 at the break, they broke into the Cambridge 22 on several occasions with full back Chris Mahoney and left wing Tom Tombleson their most effective runners.

But the Light Blues' defence held firm and a late try by captain John Blaikie put the gloss on a hard-fought victory.

Oxford had produced some dynamic rugby in the build-up to Twickenham, but never really clicked on the day.

The usually impressive winger Jonan Boto was a particular culprit with too many handling errors.

With five new Blues in their front five, Oxford knew they needed a strong display up front. But it was Cambridge who held sway, with tight-head prop Jon Dawson their leading light.

For Oxford, Dan Palm, although declared fit, was not the force he has been at openside flanker and only blindside Doug Abbott had significant impact in their back row.

Oxford had a strong wind behind them but struggled to make any early inroads.

And when they had territory they too often conceded penalties, which relieved the pressure.

Tempers boiled over in the ninth minute with a brawl which ended with Oxford lock Dylan Alexander and Cambridge No 8 Ed Andrews sin-binned.

Cambridge fly half Johnny Ufton missed a couple of kickable penalties, but his side still had the momentum.

Their breakthrough came on 19 minutes when a crooked throw from Oxford hooker Winston Cowie gave Cambridge a scrum in-field.

Oxford never regained possession and ended up conceding a penalty try on their own left wing, which Ufton converted.

The Dark Blues came into the game more and looked dangerous on 25 minutes until wing Jonan Boto knocked on from Joe Roff's pass.

Fly half Craig McMahon slotted penalties on 27 and 34 minutes to make it 7-6 as Oxford gained a measure of control.

But Cambridge ended the half on top with a penalty from winger Dave Tibbott.

With the wind behind them, Oxford really needed to be ahead at the break.

The Dark Blues could have been further behind on 48 minutes, but Tibbott hooked his penalty after a great run from impressive centre Joe Ansbro.

Oxford continued to press and Cambridge were clearly creaking, but the Dark Blues were denied by too many handling errors as well as tenacious defence.

McMahon kicked well for touch at times, but Oxford lacked a real cutting edge.

They weren't helped by over-running the ball in midfield, but it wasn't to be.

And, just when Oxford needed a final push, they found themselves penned in their 22.

Roff was adjudged to have knocked on deliberately in the 79th minute and Cambridge kicked for the corner.

From there the Light Blue maul inched forward and over the line, but referee David Rose called for a video replay.

Blaikie's hand was adjudged to have touched the ball down and a shell-shocked Oxford had no way back.

Oxford: Mahony, Boto, Roff, O'Connor, Tombleson, McMahon, Brennan (capt), Tomaszczyk, Cowie (Rosen 80), Matthews, Chance (Graham 63), Alexander, Abbott, Palm (Bucknall 46), Jones (Du Toit 63).

Cambridge: Murphy, Tibbott, Ansbro (Lewis 32-39 blood), Thomas, Stewart, Ufton (Evans 76), Blake, Schwikkard, Clark (Woolsey 20-24 blood), Dawson, Blaikie (capt), Harfoot, Johnson, O'Brien (Malaney 64), Andrews (Boynton 64).

Referee: D Rose

Man-of-the-match: Ansbro

Attendance: 41,000