Coach Graham Charlesworth felt his Oxford University side paid the price for batting too cautiously in their first innings as they slipped to a 56-run defeat against Cambridge in the Varsity Match at Fenner’s.

The Dark Blues were bowled out for 138 first time around after the hosts had posted 280.

And although they hit back by dismissing the Light Blues for 193 in their second innings, it left Oxford with an uphill task to make 336 runs for victory.

With skipper Raj Sharma hitting a defiant 114 and sharing in an 88-run stand for the ninth wicket with Sam Westaway (63no), Oxford staged a valiant late rally, but ultimately fell short on 279 all out.

“It was very disappointing,” said Charlesworth. “The first innings batting was the key. We played a little bit too cautiously.

“I think in these big games you have to play as if it means nothing, although it means a lot, and you have got to play with a little bit of freedom and express yourself.”

Sharma and Westway’s stand raised hopes of an unlikely victory after Oxford had been 156-8.

But when the captain’s 248-ball innings, which included 15 fours, came to an end the writing was on the wall for Oxford.

“Going into the last day they were definitely favourites to win the game,” added Charles-worth.

“We felt we had an outside chance of causing an upset, but it was an outside chance.

“The momentum was just starting to change towards us, but obviously there was still a lot to do and eventually Raj got out which was a big blow.

“It was his last game as well. He finished on a strong personal note, but I am sure he wanted to win as well.”

Oxford’s defeat saw Cambridge claim a “Light-wash”, having also won the Twenty20 encounter and the one-day match at Lord’s.

Charlesworth reflected: “Since I have been doing the job we have had a good run.

“In the last decade I think we have only lost two four-day games and won the majority of them.

“Last year we racked up 600 and bowled them out twice and won by an innings.”