Sat 8 Feb 2020, 14:00
In the Mikado, Nankipoo describes himself as a thing of shreds and patches - but that title could also apply to the team that ran out for the Blood and Sand. Due to front row injuries we needed a loan prop from Wasps Zachery Nearcho from Wasps Academy.
We ended up with George as our only fit lock, Matt Dawson had to step forward into the second row. James Tunney started and Noah Sloot came in on the bench. While the backs were almost at full strength, Rhodri Adamson had to fill in out of position on the wing.
However, there is a core of steel in the squad and Cambridge kicked off with the wind at our backs. We dominated the early exchanges without breaking through until we accidentally caught a clearing kick and took it into touch. That gave them a line out on halfway and quick ball to the opposite wing led to a try in the corner.
Anything Sale could do, Cambridge could do better. The forwards provided the platform and the backs ran great lines, Henderson on one wing and Hema through the middle with Ben Penfold adding the conversions punctuated with a penalty.
Sale responded with a power try before Joe Tarrant ran in a third to end the half with Cambridge 22-10 up.
Sale scored first in the second half to close the gap. However, from the kick off Matt Meek reclaimed our kick off, Matt Hema made the break, Ben Penfold passed wide to Tarrant, who could not quite make the line, but recycled for Ben Penfold to score. Kicking into a tricky wind, Ben could not convert. More flowing attacks followed, Matt Dawson and Ned Brown both crashing over. Although Ben could not convert either score we were 37-17 up and it seemed we might really cut loose.
But Sale had not given up and they were threatening our line. Joe Tarrant thought he had made a turnover, but Sir was not happy he had properly released and given the position shown the yellow card. We were, therefore, facing the last ten minutes with 14 men.
We stopped the line-out drive, but they spread the ball and their centre grabbed their bonus point try. They added the fifth with plenty of time for a restart. Cambridge were defending well and forced their player to hold on. Penalty to Cambridge and elation from the Blood and Sand - despair from the Mancunians. We checked with Sir, time was not quite up. So we had to tap and go, recycle and then kick the ball out to end the match.
Matt Dawson was man of the match.
With so many players missing, the Wanderers needed help from the thirds to get a team out. They started slowly but did come back into the match in the second half to earn a try bonus, but lost to a spirited Esher Cardinals.
Our best wishes go to all the injured and ill players - hoping for a full recovery.
Final Score
Cambridge 37 - 31 Sale FC
Scorers
Tries: Henderson, Hema, Tarrant, Penfold, Dawson, Brown
Conversions: Penfold (2)
Penalty: Penfold
