Downing student wins Man of the Match in Varsity Rugby game
Last weekend, the annual Varsity Rugby Matches between Cambridge and Oxford universities took place, with Cambridge recording an impressive double victory.
The women’s game saw Cambridge win 10-5 over Oxford, while in the men’s match, Cambridge ran out 56-11 winners, the biggest win in the fixture’s history.
The star of the men's game was Downing student Jamie Benson who played fly-half for the Light Blues and came away with the Man of the Match award for the second year in a row. He entered the record books as he scored the most individual points in a varsity match in the history of the fixture.
Jamie, who has been capped four times by the England Under-20s and made eight first-team appearances for Harlequins Rugby Club, received praise for his performance in the game. A match report said he “controlled the game in imperious fashion from fly-half”.
Speaking about the game, Jamie said: “It was very special to be a part of such a brilliant occasion for the university. It was the first time that the men's and women's trophies have come back to Grange Road since 2019.
“I feel very privileged to have represented Cambridge in three consecutive years at the Varsity match, and to win the last two years will be memories that I will never forget.
“To win with a record-breaking score against the ‘other place’ has put a perfectly sweet finish to my three years of university rugby. It is a testament to the camaraderie and hard work from all the boys in the team this year.”
Published 6 March 2024
Picture: Cambridge University Rugby Union Football Club