ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Red card for 'Stamp to the face' in clash between Oxford and Cambridge

BY Luke Stockwell  ·  Sunday Apr 3, 2022

The 2022 Varsity Game between Oxford and Cambridge University at Twickenham was overshadowed by a stamp to the face by cambridge lock Charlie Friend.

In the annual game between the two bitter rivals, Cambridge University faced a tough task after they were down to 14 men in the first half. Forward, Charlie Friend was found to be guilty of a stamp to the face at the base of a ruck by referee Andrew Jackson and after a brief TMO check was shown a red card.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Oxford University newspaper described Friend’s actions as “Cynical” and one fan took to social media to say “That should be a life ban. Disgusting behaviour”. Another said the stamp was “Deliberate , malicious, and not a part of the game. Unlike say a high or tip tackle there’s no Grey area here.”

To make matters worse for the light blues, Oxford had started the game brilliantly and were quickly 21-0 up, with much of their success coming from a rock solid set piece. However, despite being a man down, Cambridge came out a completely different side in the second 40 and with Toby Flood pulling the strings at fly half, put in an extremely respectable second half performance.

Although Oxford had an extra man, they were held scoreless in the second half and Cambridge finished the better side, with the final score of the 150th Varsity game ending 21-17 in favour of the dark blue’s. The 4 point swing in Oxford’s favour all came down to missed conversions by Cambridge.

The game was watched by a good crowd at Twickenham who were treated a host of international rugby stars from the USA, Hong Kong and England. This was also Toby Flood’s last ever game at the home of English rugby as he announced his retirement from the sport late last year to instead focus his attention on completing a masters degree.

The Women’s Varsity game followed the mens and it ended in the first ever stalemate between the two teams with a 10-10 draw.

ADVERTISEMENT

 

 

Related Articles

  • 31 WEEKS AGO

    Fiji Drua player Lomani slapped with ban...

  • 41 WEEKS AGO

    The sending off that rocked the Six Nations...

  • 41 WEEKS AGO

    Wrecking ball beats 10 players to score full...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ā€˜impossibleā€™ solo try

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    South African school boy makes the greatest tackle ever

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Huge guillotine tackle divides fans in viral footage

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ā€˜impossibleā€™ solo try

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

View All

Funnies

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    ā€œPut that in the bookā€ - Rieko Ioaneā€™s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

View All

Amateur

  • 96 WEEKS AGO

    You Wonā€™t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 96 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 120 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Anthony Watson exclusive: 'I wouldn't be surprised if England win'

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    Itā€™s a 9.5/10 for Joseph-Aukuso Suaā€™aliā€™i

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    ā€œPut that in the bookā€ - Rieko Ioaneā€™s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Should Steve Borthwick have brought on George Ford? Or trusted in Marcus Smith?

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Louis Rees-Zammit opens up about his biggest shock in chasing NFL dream

View All