Sat 7 Dec 2019, 14:00
For twenty minutes playing against 14 men, Cambridge flattered to deceive dominating the top of the table side. However, although there were further scoring opportunities Cambridge were not able to add further scores. Richmond raised their game and, more importantly, sorted out their discipline - and were able to grind out a win.
The game started with a late tackle costing Richmond a yellow card. Cambridge missed the initial scoring chance but recycled the ball out and Matt Hema barrelled over and Ben Penfold added the extras.
Richmond did have an opportunity to get on the scoreboard, but their kick was wide. Just as they were due to get back to full strength another Richmond saw yellow and that made space for Andy Henderson to score our second. Again Ben added the extras.
We continued to have the upper hand for most of the first half,but could not find a way through. A rare Richmond attack led to a penalty which they kicked.
We were threatening the line we tried a chip and chase and might have scored but for a trip. The referee consulted the touch judge and decided that we would not probably score, so it was just a third yellow. We went for the corner, but got turned over.
Play was then held up for ten minutes after an injury to David Langley, who was knock out in a collision and hod to be stretchered off.
Richmond lifted their game for the last minutes of the half. Cambridge were forced to defend. Matt Dawson was pinged for offside at a maul and saw yellow. Richmond went for the corner, the maul turned into a ruck, Rob Conquest stuck his leg in the way and Richmond back row stamped on it. Rob was shown a yellow, but so was the Richmond player. The penalty to Richmond was overturned and we were able to end the half.
Due to the delay, the second half was played in the gathering gloom. A man up, Richmond started with a penalty. Once numbers equalled, Richmond looked to keep the game tight. They were getting the upper hand in the scrums and mauls. Their power game led to three tries.
Unlike the first half Cambridge were living off scraps. We did have some opportunities - Mat Hema was making some good runs but we could not make the offloads we did in the fist half. A probing kick did pin Richmond back giving them a line out five metres out. Rob leapt at the front and stole the ball which we were able to recycle - only to knock on.
With time running out Ben Penfold tried a long-range penalty which would have brought us back within a score but it fell just short.
So we gave the league leader a scare, but after a good start, we fell short and left with no points.
On the other pitches, the Wanderers lost a hard fought match against Richmond II by a single point. They scored first then Richmond added three quick tries, but the Wanderers fought back and were on top towards the end. The mighty 3rds crushed Cantabs II 60-0.
Final Score
Cambridge 14 - 23 Richmond
Scorers
Tries: Hema, Henderson
Conversions: Penfold (2)
