Sedgley Park 28 - Cambridge 43
Sep
As starts to the season go, it could hardly have been much better for Cambridge at Sedgley Park.
The lazy way of summarising the performance would be that by the time the new campaign had reached its 45-minute mark, Cambridge had already got their bonus point for four tries.
But that would not give credit for a win at a ground that will be one of the toughest places to visit in the division.
In an entertaining game, pace rather than width was crucial as Cambridge attacked the heart of Sedgley Park to put the hosts on the backfoot.
As director of rugby Bob Crooks said after the match, there was an element of his first game at the club – against Stourbridge in September 2008 – when they kept the ball in the tight, and wore their opponents into submission.
The pack were supreme, with slick off-loading out of the tackle to move the ball to the backs, with Darren Fox to the fore.
And in Ien Ascroft-Leigh they have what appears to be the perfect partner for Robbie Hurrell in the second row.
The pieces that were right against Moseley but not against Bridgend Ravens in pre-season, and vice versa, came together as a whole.
And the best example was their finishing. Against Bridgend they created lots but were unable to finish, and while the number of chances was not huge against Sedgley Park, they showed a clinical efficiency.
Toby Berridge was dynamic in the centres, carving open the gaps to put his side on the offensive, which also proved a valuable tool in helping Cambridge clear their lines.
Billy Robinson also caught the eye. It would be easy to pick out his two tries or the 13 points with his boot, but there was much more than that. The full-back is comfortable under the high ball, and with possession in hand, he excels.
Robinson has a natural ability to spot space. With his blistering pace, he will always get opponents back-pedalling but making the right judgement on where to go is crucial, and his quick scanning of the pitch is key.
That it was Berridge (below) and Robinson who combined for the opening try was probably no coincidence, with the latter finishing off the former’s break.
Ben Lloyd crashed through to equalise, only for another break by
Berridge and good recycling seeing Phil Ellis rewarded with his first try for the club.
And when Danny Hunter led the charge and kicked through, Jaco Du Toit’s persistence and harassing saw him get the third.
Lloyd scored a second for Sedgley Park to make it 19-14, but the word was passed round at half time to exploit the hosts’ poor defending at the side of the ruck, and Cambridge made hay.
Kicking down the throat of Robinson is never a good idea, and when he charged straight back at the Tigers, he had Du Toit on his shoulder for the winger to get his second.
Patient play from their own 22 saw possession moved, through the phases, to the other end of the pitch for Robinson to get his second.
And with more patient build-up and good rucking, Ben Hunter grabbed Cambridge’s final try, on the hour.
It could be felt that Cambridge stepped off the gas in the closing 20 minutes, as Sedgley Park upped the ante with two tries.
But that period could be crucial long term as the young replacements gained exposure to playing under pressure, and they handled it very well.
