Westcombe Park 28 Cambridge 17
Poor finishing punished in the final quarter of a forgettable game at Goddington Lane. Perhaps arriving 30 minutes in advance of the planned warm up programme played a part. Leading at half time 17 - 11, Cambridge had played the better rugby with exciting tries finished by wingers PK and Bomber. But for the first time this season, the elements and injuries were to conspire against us, unforced errors and inept decisions peppering the final forty minutes. A well constructed home win for Coombe who now rise 6 points above us in the League table.
Attention to detail doesn't guarantee a win but it helps. Last week Blaydon were awarded the first penalty of the game at Wests Renault Park only to stutter in confusion as the touchline support failed to produce the kicking tee. We did just the same, the difference being one of composure as Gareth Cull improvised yet secured the opening score for Cambridge in the ninth minute. Earlier Tom Hayman the Coombe and England Counties No 8 increased his impressive tries tally with a drive over on the left after a fine attacking movement into the wind. This was to be the significant try of the match, a bonus in the strong blustery conditions. James Whittingham the Westcombe kicker added two penalties before half time to keep his side in touch. As to the visitors, errors began with poor lineouts and easily conceded possession. Referee "JP" Doyle provided a generous context for running rugby, awarding only 13 penalties in the game, the lowest this season --- and no cards. No issues there, simply showing that any mistakes would be punished as "advantage" kept the game flowing. Cambridge conceded at least 12 turnovers evenly spread across the set pieces and open play. I counted only one such gift from the home side. They retained both team competence and composure. Cambridge managed both individually, Gareth Cull, Luke Fielden,Tank Kirkman, Pete Kolowski and Simon Gibbs, on his debut, all impressed. Nor could anyone fault our defence particularly from the back three who probably prevented a hammering given the second half dominance from the home side.
When and where did the disappointment begin? Perhaps the most telling combination of injuries so far this season struck either side of half time. Stefan Liebenberg carrying a groin injury turned an ankle in the 35th minute to limp off in considerable pain. Ten minutes of play later Tom Powell joined him with what appears to be that infamous metatarsal fracture. Tom has been improving game by game and up until his departure was the local spectator's man of the match. The combination diminished our midfield authority just as much as the impact of a yellow card or even two. Gareth Cull's sight was set on goal with a 100% kicking record yet we turned down two straightforward penalty attempts both to the left of the posts his doubly sure kicking side. Our opponents had shown the wisdom of going for the points in the first half and in more difficult circumstances. Given our propensity at that stage towards cock up and confusion, the decision should have been simple. Six points would not have won us the match but it would have put pressure on Coombe in the closing minutes. Such pressure as we know all too well adversely affects the loser's game plan. It invariably changes and falters, players falling back on their own path to salvation. Instead it was Cambridge chasing the game for the final quarter following a quality movement and try, finished by winger Tom Loizides. The killer score taking away the bonus point came in the 77th minute following the low point of the game, a drop out, nudged forward on collection. Coombe hooker Moyce went over in the left corner following sustained pressure on the Cambridge try line. It is easy to criticise but the way to defeat is so often marked by silly decisions that lead to simple mistakes.
Once again we lost away from home and now must upset the form book at Otley in early December for only our second away win. That at least gives us time to regroup and deal with our walking wounded - John Harlock, red card penalty - Phil Reed and the horizontal casualties of yesterday. Always looking on the bright side of life, Bomber stays at the top of the league try scoring board. The team retain the sixth position in the table and should consolidate with maximum points at home in two weeks time. Tank was my Man of the Match with Tom Powell, Luke, Bomber, PK and Simon Gibbs earning credits. Shanners and Hughesy will have much to say and to do meanwhile. We cannot afford to gift so much to disciplined sides that offer so little in return. Lessons will be learnt and a spare kicking tee is now permanently in my pocket. Attention to detail is expensive in both senses and this week the Apple I Pod launch proves the point. As the essential player's accessory, it wont be long before the agony and ecstasy of the game are personally available for the long coach journey home.
Mal Schofield
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Henley 3 Cambridge 15
Practice makes perfect. For player coaches James Shanahan and Glen Remnant there were no surprises at Dry Leas yesterday. Last season's 11 point defeat, in perfect September conditions, was remembered for the quality of the Henley scores, the strength of their front row, a giant at No 8 and the pace of their backs. Not that Cambridge were below par on the day. We were good losers to a team that was to finish 3rd in the League by the end of the season. Thus supporter expectations were based upon a realistic perception that this was to be one of the four toughest away fixtures alongside Redruth, Otley and Waterloo.
The difference between the two sides this time was a combination of fitness, preparation and purpose rather than form. Referee Terry Hall took charge from the kick off, settling the game down after a scrappy first 10 minutes. His authority allowed the game to flow in spite of the significant strength of the two opposing defences. Henley finished last season with the leagues best defensive record conceding only 318 points against our 607. Henley expected to break the Cambridge defensive line early and failed for the full 80 minutes. Proof that working on your defence time and time again pays off. Practise does make perfect. In contrast effective counter attacks were promised by the visitors in the first half and delivered with breathtaking pace in the last 30 minutes of play. Our fair sprinkling of supporters could only be impressed and proud. The meagre and muted Henley support seemed to agree that the better side on the day won deservedly.
The two Cambridge tries were scored by man of the match, scrum half Stefan Liebenberg. Stepping up 4 leagues from Bury St Edmunds, Stefan was far from fazed by the talent facing him. His pass is up to the best offered by Ross Blake and Steve Bell last season. He combines that with an all round appetite for action, a nightmare for opposing close defences. He is quick to see an opening and intuitively varies his play to keep everyone guessing. His first try on 55 minutes came from a ruck won on the Henley line, a quick collect and dive over. His second in the closing minutes as another attack was checked only for the ball to spring loose on the Henley 22 metre line. His pace and agility, a score in the right hand corner is well captured on our website by Chris Fell. (see link at the end of the report).
There were many other deserving cases for the best player on the day. Gareth Cull and Shanners provided defensive strength in the centre and a composed reading of the game. Just blistering pace from all our backs, Luke Fielden, prodigy turned seasoned campaigner, Adam Barnard and his replacement Paul Kendall giving us an embarrassment of quality choices at 13 and strength and deception on the wings from Reedo and Chris Lombaard. Backed up by a healthy reserve in the squad, preparation has provided many selection options for our coaches as the season progresses. Practise makes perfect.
Up front we began somewhat confused, conceded a succession of turnovers from uncoordinated line outs and spilt ball in the mauls. The modest seven scrums awarded to us were secured efficiently. However we were penalised on four occasions with free kicks for front row errors on the Henley put in. We also conceded twice as many scrums as Henley, something to work on once the DVD has been trawled through.
In time the forwards settled down as a unit and delivered enough possession to force Henley to chase the game. Outstanding in defence were flankers James Ball and Glen Remnant. James tiptoed on the advantage line - a constant threat to the Henley half backs. Glen put in numerous crunching tackles leaving horizontal Henley players strewn across the pitch. That we were the fitter side was evidenced by the sheer number of Henley injuries on the day. Such was the impact from this first line of defence that Henley never showed the fluency of one year ago. Practise makes perfect.
Two weeks to go before our first home match of the season against Nuneaton. They play today against a visiting Redruth. Hopefully we will have our talented injured trio of Henry Whitford, Tank Kirkman and Tom Powell available for selection. It is too early to talk about promotion but at least the dark cloud of no away wins is dispelled early. For the first half of last season our four meagre home wins kept us alive. Expect a much better start in September both home and away. Join us for more exciting rugby than the World Cup is likely to deliver.
Mal Schofield
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Cambridge 32 Nuneaton 13
Just itching to string a few clichés together following our first home game of the season. Like " firing on all cylinders, we can already see light at the end of the tunnel". Better still and with some originality " our fullback had a setback following his comeback" The truth is much simpler phrased. Not "a game of two halves" although a brisk southerly promised that. But as most commented afterwards, "a win is a win". In that the CRUFC squad would find common ground with the coaching team. There was little else in the cryptic invective peppered post match address by Shanners. I took a more positive view of the game. We impressed with lightning counter attacks for eight minutes in spells long enough to capture 4 tries and a bonus point. Apart from that individual talent masked the truth. The team effort at Henley was nowhere to be seen or enjoyed. Fifteen penalties/free kicks were conceded, ten of them in the second half. Nuneaton secured turnover ball, 2:1 in their favour. As with England's inept display the evening before, turnover is often a euphemism for another cliché - "handed on a plate". I blame the RFU for all of this to start a season with just one league game then ask sides to rest for two weekends, is just plain barmy. At least for 8 clubs, it had been only one Saturday off. Perhaps we were also wrong to declare one week's training as a holiday break. Whatever, no excuses. It is the same for both sides. Rather it is the diminished quality of the game, limiting its vital role in delivering excitement to sponsors and supporters alike. In that England failed for eighty minutes and so did the game in large part today.
I feel better already. Now for the credits. Oscar for best player once again to Mr Mercury at scrumhalf. Our South Africans to a man, delivered on the day and no one more so than Stefan Liebenberg. Gareth Cull at 10 against his former club, adds respect for his improving command of the game. Both he and Shanners put in the long raking kicks that should have placed Nuneaton under many more periods of pressure than transpired. No individual credits for our first try although I thought I saw Hoady in the thick of the action. Penalty try, our first awarded in 2007. A double whammy in that the Nuneaton transgressor was yellow carded for attempting to strip the shirt off our support player aiming for the left hand corner. A man down, Nuneaton had to play out just five minutes of the half. Cambridge, adrenalin charged sensed a knockout opportunity. It came in the way of one riposte from the kick off, then another. A double axle loop from our centres gave Shanners a chance to score in the right hand corner. It was a classic winger's try. With Chris Lombaard not yet on the field, a demonstration of his pace and strength was needed and delivered. The second strike came just 3 minutes later, Our best endeavour to look like a team inspired finished with a familiar collect,look and dive from Stefan at the base of a tryline ruck. Gareth with the boot was now nudging closer to the 80% accuracy that we expect these days from our kickers. He had been given a chance to practice with some difficult long range penalty attempts following success from closer in the opening minutes. Two penalties secured earlier had kept us in the game,
As for our opponents, they had stayed with us. A classy try in the sixteenth minute as Ben Griffiths showed Ben Kay how locks should behave in open play with a jinking run through the home side defence. Up to the yellow card and the half time sparkle, Nuneaton had held a narrow lead then the Cambridge collective declaration of intent to go for the kill.
Halftime Cambridge 25 Nuneaton 7
What a contrast then for the start of the second half. The gift of two close in penalties to the Nuns and the points gap narrowed for them to manageable proportions. Still 36 minutes of the half remaining, the sin bin inmate returning and a bit of a wind in the visitor's favour. The game was not dead and buried. Far from it. That it then took us a further 30 minutes to clinch the game says a lot for the Nuneaton spirit and a little for some good defensive work by Cambridge. One ankle tap by Stefan saved a certain Nuneaton runaway score. Credits earned generally by the Cambridge forwards for effort and all deserved a share in Tank's pushover try converted by Gareth.
Fulltime 4 tries to 1 - the score flattering us and misrepresenting the Nuneaton contribution. Thank you neighbours and Paul Vowles in particular for your decency today. Nuns won the penalty count 15 to 8 and would have gained more points had the excellent referee, Darren Gamage been irritated enough by the disruption, to yellow card one or more Cambridge players. His post match judgement was that the errors were carelessness, confirmation that the lay off had contributed to the staccato pattern of the game.
I'll leave you with some thoughts written last weekend for inclusion in the programme under Playing Matters, but squeezed out by lack of space.
"I have never supported England rugby. Europe golf, GB athletics, Lancashire cricket and Manchester United football are a very different matter. There is something odd about the notion of sport Englishness and very much confirmed by the supporters that the flag of St George attracts. No more so than against the USA, greeting the sparse English scores with ecstatic delight. It must be the girlie strip that turns them on. Thank goodness that Bish,Harry Bob Barnes and myself, gave Lens a miss on a spare Saturday, dined at the Plough in Coton and watched a scrappy game at Shelford. Club rugby has always had the edge for me and since the league system was introduced, added spice and subtlety to the tasty dish.
Give me also a melange of a team every time, preferably an exiles mixture of character and origin. It is the blend that is unique and for that memorable. Alex Ferguson's squad formula has always been simple and consistent - one third local lads, one third from the rest of GB and the final tranche from overseas."
The Cambridge team will meet such criteria and come back to good as the season gets underway. There is much still to do but the finer calibre of the coaching will deliver much more success than one year earlier. Prepare elsewhere for shock waves as England falter and the RFU begins the agonies of a post mortem. Then I might be wrong and the sickly sweet chariots transform into chariots of fire. Brian Ashton, at the very least, deserves both a miracle and a medal for his fortitude.
Mal Schofield
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Stourbridge 32 Cambridge 19
There is, as yet, no cure for the common cold. No vaccine to apply and to protect. In an era where high technology delivers Bluetooth, bluetongue strikes back for the viral legions. However there is an effective cure for that other farmyard condition "counting chickens". The brilliant standard setting Stourbridge programme, billed their visitors as "one of the promotion favourites" and "amongst the challengers this year". Recent bullish comments of our own included aspirations of bringing Premier league rugby to Cambridge and to sustaining a solid position in National League 1. Thank you Stourbridge for the reality check. Back to earth with a bump, well vaccinated for 23 games against unfounded optimism and "o'er vaulting" ambition. That we got within a whisker of picking up two valuable points and moving to second in the league confirms a far better start to this season over last.
Unbeaten Cambridge visited Stourton Park for the second time yesterday well prepared to make it 3 wins from 3 matches. Yes it was careless to leave our physio in an M6 motorway services cafe but wry smiles rather than frowns were evident as the reds took on the blues in the Black Country. Whilst at home in Cambridge, another sunny Saturday confirmed September as the ideal early autumn, the game 100 miles to the west began on the coolish side, dull and grey with an advantageous south westerly blowing strong. Stourbridge had the wind first half and for twenty minutes Cambridge knew it, forced on to the defensive well inside their own half. In Ali Bressington on the wing they possess one of the finest kickers in the league. Stourbridge also fielded four of the England Counties team that returned unbeaten from the French Basque country with victories over Spain and Russia plus a draw with their hosts. Jim Jenner at No 8 was England Captain and took command of this game from the outset. He took 10 of the 12 home side lineout, was everywhere in both tight and loose play. An exemplary Captain's performance and reflected by Martin Corry's simultaneous role back row in Nantes. To quote Chairman Jerry "those who dominate the back row play win the game". So it was to be, as the more efficient and mobile side gained the greater possession. The Cambridge midfield was breached up to half a dozen times demanding last ditch defending from the back three. In that they succeeded, none more so than Phil Reed whose crisp tackles gave heart to the retreating Cambridge forwards. Luke Fielden was also sharp and demonstrating to his opponents that the weak links lay elsewhere.
The first try came early. Just 5 minutes and a blind side dart over by Stourbridge scrum half Tom Richardson. Bressington missed the kick but made amends with a clean sheet for the remainder of the game including two first half penalties. The inevitable second score took Stourbridge some time to construct. Full back Hall finished off a centrefield break with a try that had team confidence spelt out in every stride. At 18 points to nil, the game could be seen as a lost cause for the visitors. Half an hour gone and nothing to brag about. We came close with a reversal of play finding Oss out wide with Glen clear on his left. Hesitation and the clear scoring chance evaporated. At such times character counts and James Shanahan had his half time briefing much in mind. Cambridge worked their way into their first scoring position and did just that as the 40 minutes came and went. A second try for our player coach, perfect timing and again looping in from out right to touch down just right of the posts. Gareth Cull missed his fourth kick at goal but was to make amends later with a longer range effort and a clean second half sheet. Not that 2 points here or there mattered. We were back in the game, the wind in our favour and every reason to believe that we could do better second half.
If it were I in the changing room my concentration would be on defensive lapses. I would fine players a fiver for every shirt pulled and tackle shirked (sorry Luke just the once but see Chris Fell's 044jpg and 066jpg for contrasts). I would also expect my back row to be everywhere the ball was and all eight forwards delivering at least two drives apiece in each half. With Henry, driver numero uno, injured after 10 minutes everyone should have plugged the gap by personal example. I noticed drives from Rich and Glen and no one else. Hopefully the DVD will show that failing eyesight rather than memory loss proves me wrong. We need the yards guys and Redruth next week is the ideal opportunity to build your personal score. I am counting and one day very soon from the vantage point of a classy balcony seat at D45.
Anyway, halftime score Stourbridge 18 Cambridge 5.
Not content with early back row dominance, the home side had a clever tactical card up their sleeve. To counter Cambridge inevitably closing the gap they waited for the concessionary try before playing their trump cards. Chris Lombaard scored, following a well-worked movement initiated by a Glen Remnant break, twelve minutes into the half, as Cambridge camped on the Stourbridge twenty-two metre line. Our most consistent player is always there when needed. The gap was down to 6 points and "game on" rather than "game chasing". Then the cards, played on the sixteenth minute of the half as effective flankers were replaced by a fresh set of two pairs of legs. And so the back row dominance returned, mobility once again established and Stourbridge stepped up a pace. A quality try was delivered immediately, winger Martin Freeman producing a worthy personal effort jinking infield from the half way line to score under the posts. Injured in the run in it was a solo effort of the highest class, one to replay over and over again as the memories fade. That look to be the end for CRUFC unless generosity or divinity intervened. It did but went the wrong way. Adam Barnard our fresh replacement gifted replacement prop Tom Jarvis with the ball. A front row man out wide who, with 50 metres to go, intercepts and scores, questions the need for a replacement back on the bench. Now we were chasing the game and two decent scores to salvage two points. Darrell Burchnall on for Sam Hoad scored his first try for his new club. Darrell born in Johannesburg has the demeanour of a Bok with a British passport. He will just get better.
Gap narrowed to thirteen points and one final converted try would gives us equal 4 tries with our hosts and a gap of just 6 points. We tried. PK narrowly missed in the corner. Stourbridge reduced to thirteen men with overlapping yellow cards got out of jail as we called long ball and failed with three line outs in as many minutes. Clear heads and decisive tactics are needed and we offered neither as the minutes ticked away.
No matter we now know where we are heading this season. Forget the challenger stuff. From ninth place we can now aim for fifth with the ambition of eight wins by Christmas. That should more than satisfy our dress circle at Wests Renault Park. Something to look forward to, something more than a good lunch to savour and what memories to take into our future together. The appetite for success remains whetted. Roll on Redruth for your second journey east this month next Saturday (29th September) and our determination that we will record our first ever win against serious Cornish opposition.
Mal Schofield
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France 20 New Zealand 18
How do you describe a game like that?. Time ten minutes to ten this evening and a breathtaking last twenty minutes as France clawed their way back into the lead holding on to the final whistle. Impartial but once again in the early morning on my way to Grenoble, I have just witnessed and experienced one of the most riveting periods of competitive cup rugby. The northern hemisphere is back in business. The southern hemisphere, eastern zone, are on their way home.
Southend 26 Cambridge 22
Elsewhere and earlier it was the Southend that prevailed over their more northerly neighbours.Oh yes we do like to be beside the seaside especially on a sunny autumn day. Ignore the industrial estate as you approach the Southend ground. Over the bridge is an oasis of rugby, a quality venue and a genuine warm reception. Southend RFC joined National 2 this season as champions of 3 South and deservedly so. From their website to tables laid for lunch their organising skills and attention to detail are a model for any ambitious club. On the day we were beaten by a good side. They will play better and probably did in their drubbing of Redruth two weeks earlier. Redruth felt the pain having managed 16 consecutive wins up to then. But Cambridge also know that there is much better to come. A lack-lustre first half contrasted with the dominance at home a week earlier. Southend stamped their authority on the game, a penalty secured and a handful of turnovers in the first five minutes. How fragile is composure once the errors creep in. "Not in straight" at lineouts,losing kicking duels for distance, failing to find touch and a lack of forward authority gave Southend players and supporters the confidence to believe that here was a second home game to be won comfortably. Midfield breaks of brilliance produced two tries for Frost and Soolifai in a dominant 5 minute spell, 15 minutes into the half. That Cambridge came back with a quality try of their own by "PK" Kendall. A well struck penalty from Shanners, just before half time, narrowed the difference to 7 points. Ed Turnill the referee had been firmly in charge of a match with only 7 penalties awarded in a game flowing from end to end.
Southend's half without any doubt and much to address by the visitors at half time. Could do better, but how?
Half time Southend 17 Cambridge 10
Start the second half with a bang. Southend's kick and an immediate riposte, loose ball hacked upfield and a near try for Chris Lombaard or James Ball as the bounce avoided both of them. Missed headline chance - "on the ball" but for those seeking publicity good or bad a yellow card is the ready option. Thus Baller found himself in the sin bin alongside his sparring partner, Southend's lock Mike Rosam. As in chess its interesting to weigh up advantage here, a 6 for a 5? As two turnover lineouts followed for Cambridge you have to say better lose a 6 than a 5. but points were needed and provided by the magic boot of Mr Frost. He did not put a foot wrong with 6 out of 6 for the afternoon, including four penalties. No further recorded tries for the home side although a well worked overlap on the left produced enough space for the Southend 14 to loop in and put down between the posts, except that his put down was a forward pass. dropped from his hands as he reached towards the turf. Shanners and Chris Lombaard know better. Shanners deserved his try as the post protector became the last line of defence for Southend. Chris, Mr Consistent, deserved his for another 80 minute display of pace and strength. That it came in the eightieth minute was justice, given his hat trick against Redruth, unrecognised and unrewarded by the bizarre changing room turn of events. Simple addition tells you that the match ended with the gap closed to 4 points and it could, rather than should, have been two ---- or even a draw. The difference was the Frosty boot and with the sight of our trusty Dafydd Lewis, now at Southend, ready to step into the breach. Points count and Southend gave us a lesson in accumulation without speculation.
We must take heart for the good things. We are missing key players. Macca stepped in for Luke and defended bravely. Our new centres are beginning to express themselves. The second half brought enough possession to win the game but we need greater forward mobility to reach the breakdowns. The faster the backs the more ground to cover. We have yet to meet a fitter side but given the attacking patterns we need to be fitter still. Some of our play options have become repetitive and therefore predictable. In slow motion they looked contrived and are. At speed they look like individual brilliance and intuitive play. They are neither. More practice at the practise. Inspiration from perspiration.
On balance another shaky start but an impressive final fifteen minutes. We are 8th in the table with a game in hand over the majority of other teams. The league is beginning to divide already into three parts. Upper middle will do whi;st we sought out a few things, enjoy our new dress circle stand, sort out the abandoned match with the authorities and for the first time welcome Waterloo and Blaydon to Wests Renault Park. On the road south first to Blackheath next Saturday then to Westcombe Park and north to Otley and Wharfedale. Awesome challenges and just impossible to imagine just 3 seasons ago.
And so to bed.
Mal Schofield
oh and England squeezed a win for Brian Ashton and the charioteers.
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