Sat 12 Feb 2022
A disciplined Cambridge side gets the win
Reporter: Hugh Johnson, 15th Feb 2022
It may seem a strange headline when the penalty count against the Exiles reached nearly 30! But it was the way the Exiles players dealt with wave upon wave of interesting decisions that was so impressive.
Cambridge started into a strong wind with a new fly half, new centre, and a new combo in the second row. If we thought they would take time to bed in we were mistaken. The Exiles ripped into Sudbury in the first 10 mins, displaying the best rugby seen at this level. The first try came after just five minutes following some dominant forward play. A sniping Stef found the ever-impressive skinny Alex, who hit the line perfectly to barrel over in the corner. No conversion so 0-5.
The second score came soon after, but this time it was the backs finding holes, firstly Josh and new man Rijk bouncing players for fun (those old enough, he is our Scott Gibbs.) After one of these breaks quick ball was spun to Max Burton to touch down in the corner. Again, the tough conversion was missed.
0-10, ten minutes and Sudbury were shell shocked.
To Sudbury's credit they began to get some position and started to play, helped by some Exiles “over eagerness to win the ball” – the ref’s words… Kicking to the corner from their penalties proved pointless as Will Ramply stole nearly everything. But penalty after penalty took its toll and Sudbury snuck over in the corner to narrow the score to 5-10.
Great defence kept Sudbury out for the rest of the first period and the Exiles took a well-deserved lead in to half time.
Cambridge now needed to reshuffle the back line as JJB picked up his weekly injury. The Exiles used the wind well and kept Sudbury at arm’s length. Great kicking from 9 and 10 and committed chasing put Sudbury under pressure and again the ever “childish” Stef at the base of a ruck spotted Ramply taking an outrageous line at pace, scoring under the posts! Somehow the conversion was missed (it seems, Ed) so 5-15
A glimmer of hope for the Sudbury scrum as Jamari was yellow carded and Archie injured meant the introduction of Banksie... No such luck for Sudbury as Banks immediately took the first scrum against the head in trademark style.
Then, all of a sudden, Cambridge had a free kick - what? Then a penalty – double what? Another outstanding line out was driven over by the fresh legs of Stan. Max converted... Breathing space at 5-22!
However, Sudbury didn't give up and got a well-worked and well-deserved score in the last five minutes, moving the ball wide, they used the overlap and ran under the posts, the conversion taking the final score to 12-22.
The Exiles coaching staff were left very pleased with the performance. Fantastic team effort, thanks to the bench, especially Asbo, Jake Letch and Jules who didn't get pitch time.
Highlight: ALL the forwards, with special mention to Will at the front of the line out.
Scorers
Tries: Skinny Alex, Max, Will, Stan
Conversion: Max
Team
Jamari Dowdie, Archie Davison, Elie Hammou, Will Ramply, Matt Waring, Ryan Curtis, Alex Chabala, Jake Prier, Stef Liebenberg, Brendan Burke, Max Burton, Josh Brown, Rijk Diepeveen, Alex Howard, Kieran Shave
Replacements: Simon Banks, Stan Meadhurst, Julian Mannion (did not play) Isa Sloot, Jake Letch (did not play) Nick Apps, Asbel Rodriguez (did not play)
