Team to Face Dings Crusaders

Wigglesworth inspired by Saint Paul

Jim Wigglesworth scored 4 tries and kicked 5 conversions as Cambridge overcame Exmouth in a stop start encounter at Volac Park. Full Back Paul Diggin showed his class on his debut having a hand in the all that was good about Cambridge play until he had to retire with a knock at 60 mins. He had made the first try for Rob Conquest and then put Wigglesworth in for his first try. The forwards dominated the set piece and got a deserved penalty try next. But Exmouth were no push over from then on, and under pressure following a YC to Dan Hemmingway on 29 mins, Exmouth scored. They came back for a second before half time, but in the red zone Wigglesworth read the play, intercepted and outpaced everyone over the 80 metres to score. 28-8 up at HT, Cambridge looked comfortable, but Exmouth came out all guns blazing and scored two quick tries to make it interesting. But Wigglesworth matched Exmouth try for try and after a remarkable last 10 minutes, Cambridge finished 40-23 winners. There could be only one Carter Jonas Man of the Match - Jim Wigglesworth. Earlier in the day, the Development Team gave the Cambridge University U21s team a work out, winning 41-3. High velocity prop, Tom Jones continued his try scoring form with another two.

Read Jacko's verdict here     Read A View from the Stand here

Read Mark Taylor's CEN report here

M&Y teams vs Shelford

In a prelude to the big encounter the weekend after next, CRUFC Minis met with their Shelford counterparts on Sunday. Both Davey Field and Volac Park were covered with Blood and Sand and Maroon shirts as the combined rugby playing communities in Cambridge got together. The U10s and U11s have posted reports and some photos.
The U16s played Shelford in the County Cup Quarter Final at Volac Park, running out winners 67-19. And elsewhere the U14s had a development game vs Hitchin, which turned out not to be a development game as a Hitchin A team won 45-5.

 Cambridge herd out manoeuvre Bournemouth Lions

In bright, south-coast sunlight but chilled by a breeze from further north, this contest took a long time to catch alight. Cambridge went 5-0 up early on when MoM Rob Conquest latched onto a chip through from Jack Green and strode in to score. Jim Wigglesworth added a straight-forward penalty but then the visitors could not convert possession into points. Rather, Bournemouth exposed a slow, even static defence to run in two tries. Wigglesworth added another penalty to take the visitors into half time just a point behind - 12-11. Some astute tactical changes from the coaches and a greater intensity in the second half saw Cambridge ease into the lead with a Mike Ayrton try and another Wiggy penalty. Then finally like a herd of wildebeast, Cambridge combined their instincts and blew the Bournemouth pride away when Conquest brilliantly supporting a Wigglesworth break, popped up to score and then with a scrum against the mane on the home 22, the forwards walked over the line for number 8 Dan Hemmingway to score his first try for Cambridge. 

A full report is here