Sat 21 Sep 2019, 15:00
There is a truism in rugby that forwards win matches and another that you cannot score without the ball. Both held true.
Cambridge knew that the men from the Forest would be bringing a powerful pack and would rely on that for dominance - but hoped to gain enough ball to counter.
Cambridge took an early lead with Mike Mayhew touching down following some strong runs from backs and forwards. The lead was not to last as Cinderford struck back with a drive of their own and they were able to add the extras.
Then came the incident for which the match may be remembered. Cinderford's number 8 lifted a Cambridge player and dropped him over the horizontal. The referee had a clear view and immediately showed a red card.
While the visitors were a forward down, Cambridge kicked the penalty to the corner and set up a drive which could not cross the line, but the ball came out to Ned Brown who drove over. Rhodri added the extras.
Cinderford immediately took off their winger and replaced him with a forward to restore eight in the pack and then restricted themselves to nine-man rugby. Picking and driving, they looked after the ball and built pressure. However, Cambridge were able to hold out for the rest of the half, even though Ben Adams saw yellow due to the weight of penalties just before time was up.
In the second half, Cambridge had the wind mostly behind them but could not make enough use of it. Cinderford stuck to their plan and continued with remorseless pressure. Cambridge kept them out for twelve minutes, partly because when the ball reached the Cinderford backs they seemed surprised and that let the Red line charge up and find yards of extra space. However, eventually, the visitors were able to drive over but missed the conversion on the tricky wind so the scores were level.
Cambridge held out for another ten minutes and a rare moment of home team possession drew a penalty - which Rhodri Adamson struck cleanly to give us the lead, with 15 minutes to go.
Knowing the pressure we were under, Ritchie continued to rotate the players - especially the pack. Cinderford continued to pick and go and look after the ball and Cambridge continued to doggedly defend. It looked like a stalemate. But with time running out, Cinderford finally drove over for their third try and to make matters worse, the conversion was good to take the lead to four points and beyond penalty range.
There was time for the restart - but it was going to be the last play. Cambridge reclaimed the restart and set up an attack. The ball went through the hands. We had an opportunity to attack down the five-metre channel wide right, but the Cinderford cover defence was good and we were forced into touch a few metres short to end the match.
The result means Cinderford drop to second behind Rosslyn Park on points difference, while Cambridge slip to ninth.
The Wanderers beat Cinderford United 40-28 in a match played with uncontested scrums. The thirds slipped to a last-minute defeat 36-37 to Bury.
Next week we head to Rotherham, who also have one win from three. Do make the trip up the A1 if you can.
Final Score
Cambridge 15 - 19 Cinderford
Scorers
Tries: Mayhew, Brown
Conversion: Adamson
Penalty: Adamson
