Cambridge University made it a hat-trick of wins as they continued their confident march towards the Varsity Match on Thursday, 8 November with a 26-17 over BUCS Super League side Durham University at Grange Road.
One again the prolific boot of outside half Fraser Gillies was to the fore as the Scottish outside half helped himself to 16 points with four penalties and conversions of tries from Brian du Toit and Tim Bond.
The Light Blues were forced to come from behind in the second half after conceding first half scores to hooker Nicky Rawlinson and wing Rob Stevenson. One of those was converted to give the visitors a 12-6 interval lead over Gillies’ two penalties.
Durham, third in the BUCS Super League table, threw the ball about with huge confidence and skill, but found themselves running into a rugged and dogged Cambridge defensive unit. Skipper Daniel Dass once again set high standards in this department for his team and they enthusiastically followed his lead.
The work of openside forager Brian du Toit alongside Dass in the home back row made a huge impact and it was his effort at the breakdown that earned the first points of the night from Gillies boot. Du Toit then picked up a pushover try six minutes into the second half and lock Tim Bond turned it into a double-whammy for the Light Blues forwards when he charged down a kick and regathered to cross for a second try five minutes later.
Gillies improved both those tries to maintain his latest 100% goalkicking display. Another penalty pushed the home side out to a 23-12 lead with 14 minutes left to play Ali Neden nipped in for a third try for Durham, but the conversion went wide.
That left the visitors still needing two scores to win, although Gillies slammed the door firmly on any thoughts of a later fight back when he kicked his fourth penalty to seal a third win in a row for the rapidly improving Light Blues and make it two in a row over Durham.
On this evidence, the battle between Gillies and Oxford University outside half Basil Strang at Twickenham could be key in the outcome of the 135th Varsity Match. Strang scored 20 points in his side’s 39-5 win over the Major Stanley’s XV on Wednesday night.
Scorers: Cambridge University: Tries: Brian du Tot, Tim Bond; Cons: Fraser Gillies 2; Pens: Fraser Gillies 4.
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. 2 for 1 adult tickets are now available online on all £28 ticket categories.
