Sun 10 Oct 2021, 12:00
The 10th October saw the first round of the National Colts Cup for Cambridge U18s with a home fixture against a strong Ampthill side at a busy Volac Park.
A nervy start saw Cambridge on the wrong side of the penalty count which Ampthill capitalised on to take a 3-0 lead. It could have been more had it not been for an incredible try saving tackle from Caleb Nelson Shearing whose relentless defence once again made an enormous impact. The next 10 minutes was a physical battle with the ball kept tight and both sets of forwards making life difficult for the other. After a sustained period of pressure in the Ampthill 22 Cambridge capitalised on a loose kick with some great footwork from Clark Macfarlane who beat 2 defenders to set up Kian Kanefu who rounded the full back and scored under the posts. Will Dorasamy added to conversion to make it 7-3. Cambridge then started to put their stamp on the match with some strong carrying from Nathan Crowe and Will Paul in particular. This pressure continued to build with James Campos Bell finishing a well worked try for the forwards. Converted by Dorasamy to ensure Cambridge took a 14-3 lead into Half time.
The start of the second half was the beginning of a sustained period of Ampthill pressure and it didn’t take long for them to get themselves back into the game. Strong carrying from the Ampthill pack and slow organisation from the Cambridge defence saw Ampthill score 2 quick tries to move in front 15-14. The pressure continued to mount but Cambridge showed tremendous spirit to ensure their line was not breached again. Reeve Brighty, Oscar Coppins and Pierre St Johnstone all leading the defence brilliantly. An Ampthill penalty took it to 18-14. Ampthill went close again and would have scored had it not been for Brennan Logan winning a penalty with a text book jackal 2 metres from his own try line. This acted as a catalyst Cambridge needed for the last 15 minutes to get themselves back in the game. They began moving through the gears and starting to put some strong attacking phases together against a resilient Ampthill defence. Despite continuing to ask numerous questions of Ampthill, Cambridge just couldn’t get the breakthrough they needed to regain the lead with time beginning to run out.
With the clock ticking down to red Cambridge were awarded a penalty in the Ampthill 22. Knowing 3 points weren’t enough they continued their pressure with a tap and go for the forwards. After going through the phases a lovely looped pass over the shooting Ampthill defender by Dorasamy saw Macfarlane, still with a lot to do, beat the covering defence to score in the corner with the last play of the match. The conversion was successful to make it 21-18 ensuring Cambridge progress to Round 2. A fantastic finish to a great game of rugby.
A huge thank you to Ampthill for a great game and everyone who came down to support our boys. Having such an atmosphere on a Sunday at the club made an enormous difference and the boys are extremely grateful. Details of R2 will be announced shortly but we would massively appreciate your support again!
