Sat 19 Oct 2019, 15:00
Coming into Saturday's match Rosslyn Park had had a single loss and were being spoken of as promotion candidates. But this is a league where everyone can be beaten by anyone. The boys in Blood and Sand knew if they carried on with the intensity they had shown at Canterbury they could claim an upset.
The Blood and Sand came out playing some of the best front foot rugby I have seen them play. Matt Hema broke tackles for the first try. Roslyn Park gave away penalties stopping the next two attacks and Ben Penfold took two long-distance pops at goal, one going wide.
With a quarter of an hour gone, Rosslyn Park were finally on the attack, but an interception, a chip ahead from Matt which he regathered on the floor and popped up to Lawrence Rayner who was able to run in - definitely a contender for try of the week notwithstanding some we have seen from Japan.
Park did come into the game with two penalties, but another Cambridge try finished well by Joe Green stretched the lead to 24:6. Ben had another long-range kick which just missed. Park got their hands on the ball for the last few minutes, but could not break the Cambridge defence.
I do not know what was said in the visiting changing rooms at half time but it was short, sweet and effective, the Park players were back out and going through drills before most spectators got to the bar. Park had wind and sun at their backs in the second half and showed some more resolve, looking to play a mix of keep-ball rugby and using the wind to probe the corners. They certainly looked stronger, however, it took them a quarter of an hour to cross the Cambridge line with a multi-phase move that stretched our defence and a good cut backline to finish.
Cambridge were digging deep in defence but were giving away penalties. The referee warned us and Henry Peck was the unlucky player to see yellow. The penalty was kicked to the corner. The jumping pod shifted forward and the throw went past the pod to their 8 who was able to drop over the line. If it was planned it was well worked - though it may just have been lucky, either way, it was a try.
This left Cambridge a man short with ten minutes to play. Cambridge were forced to defend - but they showed a steely determination. Park did win a penalty which they kicked to touch on the twenty-two. But George got up and the ball came back on the Cambridge side, and after a few phases of keep-ball we were able to kick it into the stands to close out the match and the win.
Unfortunately, the news from the other two pitches was not as good, with losses to Rosslyn Park II and Renegades (12-63). Importantly Jake McCloud and Oli Petrides came through their first games back from injury - but at the moment, it will be hard for them to force their way into the main squad.
The Blood and Sand are off to Sale on Saturday, with the Wanderers heading to Esher and the 3rds to Newmarket. Do try to come and give the boys your support at one of those. If not see you back at Volac Park for Cambridge v Plymouth after the RWC final.
Final Score
Cambidge 24 - 20 Rosslyn Park
Scorers
Tries: Hema, Rayner, Green
Conversions: Penfold (3)
Penalty: Penfold
