Sat 26 Oct 2019, 14:00
They say that in Manchester there are three types of weather. Either it is about to rain, is raining or has just rained. So it was no surprise that rain greeted our visit to the CorpAcq stadium to take on Sale. Across the city Sedgeley Park had cancelled as did Cinderford and most of the Welsh clubs with many seeing a month's rainfall in a week. Playing conditions were definitely not the best.
Cambridge had the best of the opening exchanges and after a few minutes Ben Penfold had a long-range kick but could not split the posts. We also earned a line out five metres from the Sale line, but they held up the drive and turned us over. Most of the first half was played between the two 22m lines. Sale did cross our line but our defence was able to hold them up. The half ended scoreless.
Sale started the second half well and earned a penalty after three minutes which they were able to convert. They followed up with more pressure on our line and a second penalty followed.
Cambridge replied from the kick-off with their own attack that earned a penalty and Lawrence Rayner cut the deficit. However, Sale were soon back on the offensive and scored a converted try to go 13-3 up after 64 minutes.
Cambridge were able to attack the Sale line, but again they stopped our maul and earned a penalty to clear their lines. The home pack was definitely gaining dominance and a scrum against the head gave them field position and with time running out a strong run down the touchline gave the home side a second try and victory 20-3.
It was not the result we wanted, but this is a league where everyone can beat anyone else. Had we been slightly more clinical things may have been different and the boys need to take that on board and lift themselves to the next level.
Elsewhere Esher cancelled their match against the Wanderers, while we had to call off the third team's visit to Newmarket due to not being able to raise a team. Perhaps this is a good time to issue a reminder that new players are always welcome.
The Blood and Sand face Plymouth next week who have the same win-loss record as we have but who are yet to win on the road.
Final Score
Sale 20 - 3 Cambridge
Scorer
Penalty: Rayner
