Sat 7 Mar 2020, 15:00
They say in Waiting for Godot, nothing happens twice. That would be a harsh description of our match with Moseley. For while it lacked scores it was certainly dramatic - even if not a classic.
George won the toss and gave the visitors the wind. From the kick-off we camped in their 22 until a loose pass was intercepted and in a blink of the eye they scored against the run of play. Then minutes later we replied, after a number of phases where the forwards made no progress the ball was spun out and Joe Tarrant found the line cutting back to score. Ben kicked us level.
Most of the rest of the half was played in the Moseley half, but we could not find the key to unlock their very physical defence.
The second half started much like the first, except we decided to kick through -and only found their winger. He was quick and he threaded a path through our defence - albeit offloading to their centre for the score out wide. They missed the kick.
We continued to press and eventually won a very kickable penalty - which Ben took to cut the deficit to two with twenty minutes to go. Six minutes later we were awarded another and again we went for posts and Ben did the honours to give us the lead.
Another fifteen minutes of stalemate followed in which both Matt Hema and Ned Brown made breaks only to get isolated - we came to the conclusion and a final `minute'.
Moseley had the ball but our defence forced a knock-on. The ref thought about sending us to the sheds but the AR called in an offence. And Moseley were award a penalty. Cambridge celebrations delayed. They kicked for the touch. Line out. The throw went behind the Moseley line. So Sir blew up. But again he could not send us off, as play had not restarted. So we had to have the scrum. A major Moseley shove won a penalty. Another kick to touch and they were into our twenty two. The ball was thrown in short and spread off the top. Moseley looked dangerous.However, as the ball headed towards the centre of the pitch, Ben must have said something to the Moseley lock who swung a cartoonish punch. Ben appealled to the Assistant Referee who called in the offence. Sir blew up to listen to the report and had no option but straight Red.
All was left was Rhodri to tap to himself and then punt the ball out to end the game and record the win.
Sam Copeland won the Man of the Match on his first start for the first team - I doubt it will be his last. Gareth was also presented his cap for 100 appearances.
Yes it was only a single point and we did not collect a bonus, a win is a win and it does mean - subject to the RFU not completely reorganising and any other off-pitch drama - we will be playing National 1 rugby next season. A great comfort to know. The boys are now setting targets for the rest of the season but it is all about stretch goals.
Moseley on the other hand are only four points above Rotherham and face another nerve racking end to the season. We wish them well.
Elsewhere Caldy secured their return to National 1, having lost out to Moseley on the last day last season.
One really heartening sight was to see Mike Mayhew up and about after his operations. While we will obviously not see him on the pitch again this season he hopes to be back for next year. If you have not yet read Mark's piece in the Cambridge Independent do so - though be warned it is not for the fainthearted. Mike should hopefully be on Jacko's radio show on Thursday.
Final Score
Cambridge 13 - 12 Moseley
Scorers
Try: Tarrant
Conversion: Penfold
Penalties: Penfold (2)
