There were a magnificent seven tries from Oxford University as they made it back-to-back wins over Croatia with a 45-7 triumph in Zagreb.
It was the third time the teams had met after a 14-14 draw in 2014 and a stylish 41-5 victory in the Croatian capital last year.
Fergus Taylor’s side were 24-0 ahead at the break thanks to tries from lock Andrew Grant, back row man George Blomfield, outside half Basil Strang and No 8 Will Wilson. Strang also slotted two conversions.
There were three more tries in the second half of a game that was supporting the local campaign for the elimination of violence against women and also staged a minute’s silence before kick-off in memory of the Munster and Ireland great Anthony Foley. Wings Tom Stileman and Ed David got in on the act after the break, with the latter scoring twice, and Strang ended up with 13 points as he slotted two more conversions.
Taylor was one of eight players who had made the trip in 2015, joining Kieran Ball, Will Thornton, Nic Roberts-Huntley, Graeme Macgilchrist, Hugo Lu, Henry Hughes and Stileman.
The victory ended a run of two defeats in tough fixtures against Aviva Premiership sides from Bristol and Northampton and will have given the Dark Blues a boost ahead of their next outing against the British Police at Iffley Road on Tuesday, 1 November (7.15pm).
The 135th Varsity Match and The 30th Women’s Varsity Match between Oxford and Cambridge will return to Twickenham on Thursday 8th December, with tickets on sale now.
Scorers: Tries: Ed David 2, George Blomfield, Andrew Grant, Will Wilson, Basil Strang, Tom Stileman; Con: Basil Strang, Will Wilson
Oxford University: Matt Geiger*; Ed David**, Alex Hogg, Henry Hughes, Tom Stileman*; Basil Strang*, Dylan McGagh; Kieran Ball*, Noah Miller, Joseph Morris, Fergus Taylor* (captain), Andrew Grant*, Nic Roberts-Huntley*, George Blomfield, Will Wilson*
Replacements: William Thornton, James Scaife*, Hugo Lu, Graeme MacGilchrist*, James Beaufils, Sebastian Haddock, Daniel Barley (* denotes Blue)
Picture credit: Berislav Rožman
