Cambridge Exiles 80-14 Wymondham II
The Exiles win against North Walsham last week meant that they ‘only’ needed to win one of the two remaining games to become Eastern Counties One Champions 2022. The pressure was on: could the massive improvements in game management and control that the Exiles have made over the season be maintained? Even more nerves when Wymondham turned up with a team bolstered a little with a couple of senior players. A strong cold wind blew across the pitch as the teams ran out.
Wymondham kicked off short so a scrum on the half way line. Banksie (of course) hooked it back - four times - mbut it kept going the other way, the scrum was lost and the back row was over eager getting into defence and the first of three quick penalties went against the Exiles, taking Wymondham deep into the Exiles 22. From the line out an Exiles knock on gave Banksie the second opportunity to attack the put in which he duly won. Exiles started to put some patterns together and made a little ground but fearsome tackling eventually resulted in a turnover and more Wymondham attacking into our 22 again. The first five minutes were mostly played there.
Now the super back row of Joes J and R and Tall Guy Jake came into their own with a great jackal resulting in an Exiles penalty. Spotting the disappointed Wymondham attack, Kieran took a quick penalty and Bren spun it wide through Euan to Rijk who ran the ball in from 80m for a try under the posts, exposing the Wymondham 15’s inability to tackle. Max’s conversion made it 7-0 and the Exiles were underway with the first foray into the Wymondham half.
The front five of Jamari, Stan, Will and Gareth now formed a solid scrum and following a penalty that Kieran put to the Wymondham 22, Euan in the centre stepped his opposite number before putting Rijk through for his second. Max missed the conversion 12-0.
In a turn around for the scrum, the Wymondham tight head destroyed Jamari but Tall Guy tidied excellently, and the ball was moved out to the left and provided an overlap for Max to run in from 40m which he converted for 19-0.
The kick off was taken by Joe R who ran straight back in under the posts for the bonus point try after just 18 minutes and Max’s conversion made it 26-0. Sadly, Joe’s knee was shot so Bod came on to replace him.
Now the pattern was set. Wymondham attacked strongly, the Exiles defended well, they turned over the ball and Jamari, Stan, Gareth and Will made a few hard yards against thumping Wymondham tackling, a couple of defenders sucked in, then Joe J or Bod stepped and gave it to the fast guys who ran in a try. First Rijk (jug) then Euan twice, two of the three converted by Max took the score to 45-0.
Lots of good play from Wymondham then followed, keeping possession for over five minutes without the Exiles having a sniff, but eventually the ball was turned over and they went left before a sublime inside pass from Euan to Coops created space for him to run it in from 50m, once again their 15 failing to get near making a tackle. Max converted for a half time score of 52-0.
Lots of half time changes - Julian for Gareth, Cadge for Stan, Archie for Banksie, Chabawalawala for Bren (Joe J swapping to centre and Euan to fly half) and Adam for Max - were accompanied by an admonishment that the Exiles were not to consider their job done. However, as is often the case, the changes were unsettling as the new guys tried to get up to speed with the pace of the game. Added to this, Wymondham had an extra spring in their step. The half time score had hidden the real shape of the game. In reality it was pretty even in the scrums, some going each way depending on the little niceties of the secret arts of the front row. Line outs were just slightly in favour of the Exiles, who stole a couple of the Wymondham throws. Both teams defended well, but the Exiles were driven back by the power of the Wymondham tackles. They both mostly kept the ball successfully in attack. But there was one significant difference. Wymondham just could not cope with the Exiles pace. Either the step from any of Joe J, Bod, Tall Guy, Euan and they were away. Or fast hands to the overlap and again, they were away. Sadly, for once, Young Alex could just not hold onto the ball or he too would have had a hat trick of tries.
So Wymondham came out in dominant form and after very strong running they scored a converted try. 52-7. The pattern continued, Exiles were not getting players to rucks and missing first up tackles, and Wymondham eventually won a penalty try as Coops clearly blocked the runner after he kicked through. 52-14 and a yellow card meant Coops took no further part in the game.
Down to 14 and with their ears ringing from Darren’s stiff words, now the Exiles got into the game. Superb defence on their line meant that for the ten minutes of the yellow card, not only did they not concede a further point, but after a fantastic pick up and run by Joe J he offloaded beautifully for Bod to score a try. Kieran converted for 59-14.
Stef came on at fly half when the yellow had run out with Euan now moving to full back. Stef’s bullet pass to Young Alex was so hard that if Alex hadn’t caught it he could have ended up with broken ribs and now he had the ball in his hand, he ran 60m evading several tackles, at least two from the ineffective 15. In frustration, once Young Alex had eventually been tackled the 15 lashed out with his foot to Alex’s face and was very lucky to see only a yellow card.
Having to put one of their better tacklers to full back opened up the space for the Exiles and next, counter attacking from a Bod turnover, he returned the favour to Joe J to score with a swallow dive, and Kieran’s conversion made it 66-14. Next Kieran himself threw the dummy and was able to stroll through from 35m for his try to convert for 73-14.
Back to 15, Wymondham slowed down the rate of the Exiles scoring, but by now they had just run out of steam and Bod was able to burst through for his second, Kieran’s conversion the last kick of the match making it 80-14 and the celebrations could begin.
Eastern Counties One League Champions 2022. Assuming the league structures remain in place as at present - no guarantee with the RFU sadly - they will now be promoted to London 3 Eastern Counties at Level Eight in the RFU League structure.
It has been a fantastic season for the team, who have grown in skills and tactics, lead by the grand old duo of club legends in Darren Messenger and Stef Liebenberg. Watching from the first games against St Ives and Royston to the latest against North Walsham and Wymondham, the change in quality of play and maturity of the boys has been amazing. From needing the nous of the old hands to eke out a win at the start of the season to having youngsters in their first season of senior rugby leading the side is wonderful to watch.
Congratulations to the side!
The final game of the season is at home against Sudbury II on 23rd April. Hope to see you there!
Scorers
Tries: Rijk 3, Max, Joe R, Euan 2, Coops, Bod 2, Joe J, Kieran
Conversions: Max 6, Kieran 4
Team
Jamari Dowdie, Simon Banks, Stan Meadhurst, Will Ramply, Gareth Edwards, Joe Johnson, Joe Roberts, Jake Prier, Kieran Shave, Brendan Burke, Max Burton, Euan Rees, Rijk Diepeveen, Alex Howard, Sean Cooper
Replacements: Archie Davison, David Cadwalladr, Julian Mannion, Louis Bodrozic, Alex Chabala, Stef Liebenberg, Adam Griffiths
