Nomura Varsity Match 2009

History

Title Image

The first annual Varsity Match took place in February 1872 at the Parks in Oxford. On the 127 occasions the match has been played Cambridge have won 60 times and Oxford 53. There have been 14 draws, the most recent being 2003 (11-11). The match has been sponsored by Nomura, the preeminent Asian-based investment bank since 2008.

The match has been played at Twickenham Stadium since 1921 but before that was played in several locations. During its early years, the matches were played at The Parks, Oxford and Parkers Piece, Cambridge, alternating each year. However in 1877 it was Decided that the match should be played on a neutral venue, starting at the Kennington Oval. Other venues that have also hosted the match since then are Blackheath and Fulham, where it was played at the Queens Club until the First World War. After the war, the match moved to Twickenham as the crowd was exceeding capacity at the Queens Club.

The first time the match ever had a referee was the match in 1885.

Last year Oxford beat Cambridge 33-29 confirming the light blue's lead in the victory table.

Famous Blues

Name University Country
Brian Smith Oxford England
Gerald Davies Cambridge Wales
Gareth Rees Oxford Canada
Rob Andrew Cambridge England
Anton Oliver Oxford New Zealand
Tony Underwood Cambridge England
Simon Halliday Oxford England
Mike Gibson Cambridge Ireland
Stuart Barnes Oxford England
Ken Iwabuchi Cambridge Japan
Victor Ubogu Oxford England
Ian Robertson Cambridge Scotland
David Kirk Oxford New Zealand
Paul Ackford Cambridge England
Rob Egerton Oxford England
Gavin Hastings Cambridge Scotland
Phil De Glanville Oxford England
Rob Wainwright Cambridge Scotland
David Humphries Oxford Ireland
Chris Sheasby Cambridge England
Simon Danielli Oxford Scotland
Damien Hopley Cambridge England
Joe Roff Oxford Australia
Alastair Hignell Cambridge England
Troy Coker Oxford Australia

Past Results

Date Result Score
11 Dec 2008 Oxford beat Cambridge 33-29
6 Dec 2007 Cambridge beat Oxford 22-16
12 Dec 2006 Cambridge beat Oxford 15-6
6 Dec 2005 Cambridge beat Oxford 31-16
7 Dec 2004 Oxford beat Cambridge 11-18
9 Dec 2003 Cambridge drew with Oxford 11-11
10 Dec 2002 Cambridge beat Oxford 15-13
11 Dec 2001 Oxford beat Cambridge 6-9
12 Dec 2000 Oxford beat Cambridge 16-19
12 Dec 1999 Oxford beat Cambridge 13-16
12 Dec 1998 Cambridge beat Oxford 16-12
12 Dec 1997 Cambridge beat Oxford 29-17
12 Dec 1996 Cambridge beat Oxford 23-7
12 Dec 1995 Cambridge beat Oxford 21-19
6 Dec 1994 Cambridge beat Oxford 26-21
7 Dec 1993 Oxford beat Cambridge 8-20
8 Dec 1992 Cambridge beat Oxford 19-11
10 Dec 1991 Cambridge beat Oxford 17-11
11 Dec 1990 Oxford beat Cambridge 12-21
12 Dec 1989 Cambridge beat Oxford 22-13
6 Dec 1988 Oxford beat Cambridge 7-27
8 Dec 1987 Cambridge beat Oxford 15-10
9 Dec 1986 Oxford beat Cambridge 10-15
10 Dec 1985 Oxford beat Cambridge 6-7
11 Dec 1984 Cambridge beat Oxford 32-6

Did you know?

  • The first match was in 1872, one year after the first ever international. Oxford won the inaugural meeting
  • The first match was 20 a side rather than today's traditional 15 a side
  • Oxford wore their traditional dark blue shirts whereas Cambridge played in pink, not changing to their well known blue and white strip until 1876.
  • The matches in 1878 and 1879 were postponed due to fog.
  • 1885 was the first time the match had a referee.
  • The match has been held at various venues before settling at Twickenham in 1921 including The Kennington Oval, Blackheath and Kensington. During the World War, the match was played at Oxford and Cambridge.
  • 2007 was the first time the match had not been played on a Tuesday in more than 60 years, moving to a Thursday evening slot. It was also the first time in 60 years that the match had not kicked off at 2pm, being moved to a 4pm kick off.
  • There have now been 126 official matches between the two sides. Cambridge currently lead in the victory
  • The highest score and biggest winning margin of the series was set in Oxford's 35-3 win in 1909 at the Queen's club, Kensington. Their try tally that day was nine, another record for the matches.
  • The record for most points scored in a Varsity match belongs to the well known rugby broadcaster Alistair Hignall, set in 1975 when he scored 19 points for Cambridge. In 1995 David Humphreys matched that total number. Alistair Hignall is also the leading overall points scorer, with 45 points across 4 matches.

Rugby and the two universities are closely linked

  • William Webb Ellis, who is widely acknowledged with inventing the game, was a student at Brasenose College.
  • Rugby School provided 15 of the 20 students required for the very first Varsity match in 1872.
  • Cambridge holds the record for successive victories, winning five in a row on three occasions.
  • The record for the most individual points scored in a Varsity match belongs to Alastair Hignell, who scored 19 for Cambridge in 1975.