Scrum-half Ross Swanson ran in a hat-trick as Oxford claimed a 32-22 victory over Cambridge in the 30th Rugby League Varsity Match.
Swanson hat-trick sinks Light Blues at The Stoop
Oxford scrum-half Ross Swanson was the Varsity hero as his hat-trick inspired the Dark Blues to a 32-22 victory over Cambridge in the 30th Rugby League Varsity Match.
The talented number nine crossed three times in the second period as Oxford came from 16-0 down to secure their 13th Varsity triumph at the Twickenham Stoop.
The Light Blues raced into a comfortable lead inside the first quarter thanks largely to skipper George Sykes, who scored two tries and sent American Jon Garrity crashing over for a third.
Centre Marcus Alexander-Neil grabbed two tries in five minutes just before half-time to bring Oxford back into the game and further scores from Greg Coates and Swanson early in the second half put them in front.
Swanson ghosted through the Cambridge for a second try on 64 minutes to extend his side's lead to 26-16 but Cambridge stand-off Greg Cushing set up a tense finish when he scored a fourth try and kicked his third goal.
Swanson then clinched victory by completing his hat-trick a minute from the end and kicked his fourth goal for a personal haul of 20 points.
