Cambridge University Women took the spoils in a hotly contested pre-Varsity Match encounter with Oxford at Grange Road, running out 22-0 winners.
The Light Blues scored two tries in either half to take their first British University College Sport (BUCS) win and the early bragging rights over rival Oxford ahead of The Varsity Match on Thursday 8 December.
After a tense opening start, it was Cambridge who opened the scoring after some great work from the backs was finished off in the corner by Lara Gibson.
Oxford fought back with some tough defence and looked good to keep the margin to just five going into half-time. Yet on the 40 minute mark, Cambridge’s outside centre Laura Suggitt broke the Dark Blues line to go over for a 10-0 lead.
Fired up after the interval, Catherine Wilcock’s Oxford made a quick start to the half keeping Cambridge pinned inside their own 22, with only some brave Cambridge defending keeping the scoreboard clean.
However, it was Cambridge who struck next on 50 minutes with a 40 metre break from winger Lara Gibson who went over for her second try of the game, with Cambridge captain Alice Middleton converting to extend the Light Blues’ lead to 17-0.
Changes from Oxford looked to strengthen the back-line with Princess Ahilokun making a particular impact in both attack and defence.
Yet on the hour mark Middleton broke free to score her first try of the game and her side’s fourth to cap off an impressive performance from the Light Blues and a 22-0 victory.
Commenting on her side’s win, Cambridge captain Alice Middleton said, “It was great to get our first BUCS win of the season with a brilliant team performance. Every game against Oxford is obviously important, but we’ll be looking to build on this and keep working together as we continue to prepare for the Varsity Match at Twickenham in five weeks’ time.”
The 30th Women’ Varsity Match and 135th Men’s Varsity Match will take place at Twickenham on Thursday 8 December. Tickets are available now from £28 adults and £10 students online here
Scorers: Cambridge University – Try: Lara Gibson (2), Laura Suggitt, Alice Middleton, Con: Alice Middleton
Cambridge University: Katerina Sanchez-Shilling, Emma Pierce, Laura Nunez-Mulder, Livvy Probert, Emily Pratt, Molly Byrne, Chloe Withers, Alice Elgar, Alice Middleton (c), Lara Gibson, Laura Suggitt, Jess Charlton, Sophie Farrant, Kate Marks, Lydie Thorn
Replacements: Louisa Pittman Gabby Johannson, Tabitha Burgess, Fiona Shuttleworth, Jacqueline Bramley, Cat Brickel, Sophie Evans, Katherine Monks
Oxford University: Jenny Smith, Pat Metcalfe-Jones, Cecilia Peker, Sophie Taylor, Elmarie Van Heerden, Leanne Robinson, Anna Gibson, Sophie Behan, Carly Bliss, Catherine Wilcock (c), Gemma Robson, Millie Rose, Affi Bunting, Iona Harrap, Sophie Trott
Replacements: Carolina Matte-Gregory, Harriet McCay, Gwen Cartwright, Imogen Duffy, Princess Ashilokun, Susy Rees
