51 pictures from Cambridge University’s Varsity Matches against Oxford at Twickenham
There were most definitely mixed emotions for Cambridge University RUFC in the Varsity Matches at Twickenham on Saturday.
The Light Blues were left to wonder might have been for many different reasons.
In the 35th Women's Varsity Match, Vianney Gomezgil Yaspik's late try clinched Cambridge a 10-10 draw.
Hetta Friend had touched down for the Light Blues in the first half, but Megan Isaac equalised with an unconverted try before half time for Oxford, who had posed a threat with their expansive game.
Lauren Webb touched down to put Oxford ahead at the start of the second half, and they then produced a brilliant defensive rearguard.
Cambridge kept knocking on the door though, and they finally got back into the match after brilliant work by Sonia Ubong with a driving run allowed Gomezgil Yaspik the chance to touch down.
It meant that honours remained even at the end of the game for the first time in the Varsity Match but, as defending champions, Cambridge retained the Varsity Match trophy.
There was an equal amount of drama in the men's 140th Varsity Match.
Cambridge knew it would be a battle against a strong Oxford pack, but within the space of 60 seconds from the ninth to 10th minutes, the game was turned on its head.
Luke Wyllie touched down for Oxford, the Light Blues' on-field captain Stephen Leonard suffered an ankle injury and Charlie Friend was shown a red card for an alleged stamp, a decision that head coach James Shanahan felt was very harsh.
The combination of factors left Cambridge shell-shocked - down to 14, without their captain and trailing 7-0.
It took them a little while to regain their composure, and that helped Oxford get onto the front foot to establish a substantial lead.
Nick Civetta touched down from a line-out, with David Wilkinson landing a second conversion, and then Andrew Durutalo peeled off the back of a scrum to dot down, and Wilkinson's extras made it 21-0 at half time.
However, Cambridge galvanised at half time and came out looking like they were back to full complement.
They kept the ball alive and moved and turned Oxford, trying to get them on the back foot.
It took its time but the points started to arrive, although perhaps a little too late.
Dougal Russell was twice referred to the TMO after grounding the ball in the try zone, and on both occasions no try was awarded.
But Luke Parry pounced to reduce the arrears, and then Demi Obembe took a pass from Dan Montesino-Jones from the restart to go on a brilliant solo run to touch down Cambridge's second try in the corner.
In the final play of the game, they created an overlap and that allowed Alex King to dart in for the score, with Jamie Benson adding the extras.
It meant the score finished 21-17 to Oxford, but Cambridge will take great pride in the character and fight that they showed with a man light in the second half to stage such a comeback.
Both shades of hue were out in force in Twickenham for the first Varsity Match staged on a Saturday for 75 years.
There was a crowd of 10,525 as the Varsity Matches bid to establish themselves in a new slot in the rugby calendar.
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