CRUFC U16s 25 - 8 Sudbury

We witnessed a new side of the Cambridge Under-16s against Sudbury – a fast passing, early off-load game that was too good for Sudbury. If Cambridge had kept hold of the ball every time they were in the Sudbury 22, the win would have been much more comfortable and the score line more reflective of the dominant possession that Cambridge enjoyed.

The early passages of play were all Cambridge, but on 3 occasions with Cambridge deep in the Sudbury 22, Cambridge lost the ball and knocked on. And then, having spent the first 10 minutes camped near the Sudbury line, but having come away without a score, as can often happen, it was Sudbury first to score points. From a long Sudbury clearance kick, Henry gathered very well beat a couple of players and was then unlucky in being accidentally offside directly in front of the posts. 3-0 to Sudbury.

There followed a scrappy period of play with neither side in the ascendency. Finally, Cambridge put a number of phases together and were rewarded with a penalty which was kicked. 3-3.

Cambridge now found their stride again. Cambridge were dominating in the line-out – from a Sudbury throw, Hugo stole the ball beat some of the defence, passed to Luca who ran excellently through a number of Sudbury tacklers to score. A fine conversion from Sam took the score to 10-3 at half time.

In the second half, Cambridge’s possession was accompanied by greater control and fewer handling mistakes. Early in the half, Sudbury were penalised for offside in the middle of the pitch. Robbie kicked for the corner and from the ensuing line-out, Cambridge took possession and Hugo picked and drove over the line. 15-3.

Cambridge now had good control, but a number of defences lapses allowed Sudbury back in to the game. Following a penalty, Sudbury won a line-out, which they won, and Cambridge missed a number of tackles and Sudbury scored their only try of the game.

But then Cambridge immediately found their rhythm again. A great run by Harry, who offloaded to Sam, resulted in a line-out. Cambridge took the ball and went all the way to the other side of the pitch for Hugo to score again. 20-8.

And then a final excellent team try following a fantastic flowing passing play. Following a fine run by Archie, who offloaded to Sam who gave it early to Robbie, who still had some work to, but scored to make it 25-8.

It is hard to remember Sudbury having a significant period of pressure and their points came from Cambridge errors. A decent performance from Cambridge, but they were not at their disciplined best and could have won much more comfortably.