Cambridge RUFC was formed in 1923 and was settled in its current ground by the 1950s. In 1993 the Club was fortunate to be offered the opportunity to buy the lease on its existing three pitches and to buy adjoining land for a further three pitches from King's College. Floodlights were added to one of these pitches in 2003 so that evening games might be played and the light available for training was improved beyond recognition.

A number of our players, we are proud to report, have gone on to gain International Rugby honours, being Dickie Jeeps (England and British Lions), Andy Hancock (England), Bob Steven (Scotland), Trevor Evans (Wales) and Simon Culhane, being the most recent, who represented New Zealand, including appearances in the 1995 World Cup Finals.

We are also justifiably proud that three boys, who have come through our Mini and Youth Rugby Section have gone on to represent England School Boys, being Charlie Simpson, John Mott and Dominic Jones. Many more have gone on to play rugby at a very high level; it is good to see some of these returning to the club where they learned their skills (Henry Whitford, Tom Dann and Dominic Jones).

In addition, the Club has been a leading source of players for many years to both the Eastern Counties and County sides.

Cambridge RUFC joined the newly formed league structure in 1988 and by 1991 was playing in London 3 North East Division. After five years in this division, the Club was promoted to London 2 North and after 4 years in this division, was promoted at the end of the 1998/99 season to London 1, which feeds into the National Leagues. In the Club's first season in London 1, they achieved 4th place, plus a run to the semi-final of the NPI Cup, falling just one match from Twickenham, after defeat away at Hull by 21-17. London 1 status was secured again for the 2001/2 Season, but player attrition and an aging squad led to relegation at the end of that season. However , the club's appetite for higher level rugby had been whetted and by the end of the 2003/4 season, a rebuilt side was second to an all-conquering London Scottish team in London 2 North and won an exciting play-off against Barnes 21-19 to regain promotion to London 1. Cambridge also won the Eastern Counties Cup for the first time and regained the Cambridgeshire Cup from perennial rivals Shelford. This time, the stay in London 1 was to be even shorter; At the end of an exciting season the League championship lay between Worthing and Cambridge at the start of the final round of matches: Worthing at home to Canterbury and Cambridge at home to Basingstoke. The championship would go to the team achieving the greatest points difference. In the event, Cambridge won by 96 - 15 and Worthing were condemned to the play-offs. Cambridge went on to beat Norwich in the Eastern Counties Cup Final and Shelford in the Cambridgeshire Cup Final - the second successive Treble and promotion to National League rugby for the first time.

Times, they are a changing. Three promotions secured in consecutive seasons. A triple treble success for CRUFC marked by a Civic Reception on May 23rd, hosted by the City Mayor, John Hipkin. The Eastern Counties RFU representative, Brian Williams, presented the NCA, Eastern Counties and County Cups. We would be the first to recognise that whilst playing preparation, commitment and delivery on the day are vital, support from many more club members, valued sponsorship and good fortune also played a part in our unprecedented success.

Self-fulfilling prophecies do have a major part to play as well.

Squad building takes time and the core of the team has grown steadily since Steve Bell, Monty Pienaar and Rich Candlin began the revival in September 2003. Fifteen players from last season stayed on to experience national rugby. One in three of the current squad began their rugby in Cambridgeshire, including Most Improved Player of the Year, Sam Hoad, Coaches' Player, Henry Whitford and regular flankers, James Leigh and Matt Otter. University players, Luke Fielden (Newcastle) and Carl Bradshaw (Cambridge) began their rugby at Grantchester Road. Local boy, Tommy Dann shared at outside half with Dafydd Lewis who, alongside Ben Dormer and Ben Whetstone, was to play for the Barbarians during the season. Dafydd and Dorms represent a further local advantage, in the big contribution made by the University and their players to our season on season success. Fergus Gladstone, Ian McInroy, Tom Kirkman and John Blaikie also featured and should be with us next season. Strengthening continued, new 1st XV Captain Glen Remnant, joined mid season following a professional rugby career in each of the 6 nations. He has settled with his family in Cambridge. Our South African connection is still significant, Altus Laubscher and Chris Lombaard giving strength, pace and experience to our back line. We missed Monty Pienaar in every sense from November onwards as serious illness kept him out of the game. He is now fully recovered and back in full training. Kramer Ronaki returned from New Zealand early this year, adding valuable front row experience for Forwards Coach and Bay of Plenty colleague, Bas Lennan to call upon. Finally mention should be made of the Bedford connection. The Blues have provided loan players and will continue to do so. This valuable association extends to the town and its Universities, with as many as ten players making the regular journey eastwards. This local, global mix has been effectively organised into a consistent and at times awesome playing unit by James Shanahan our Player Coach. The support management team lead by Director of Rugby, Paul the tireless Hughes, remains in place for next season, team selection made even more difficult by the modest injection of carefully chosen new-experienced players.

Off the field, we built a brand new clubhouse to accommodate our growing support and rising sponsorship. It wasn't easy and inconvenienced our visitors in particular. Our apologies are extended in particular to those teams visiting us in December. It can only get better as we add balcony seating, extended parking and in time new changing facilities. The pitch, we claim, is the best in the league and fitting for our new visitors in Division 2. There are many to thank for our success, but Jerry the prophet Otter has set the standards of excellence in every respect. We are also conscious of a need to strengthen our club organisation as we continue to grow.

We have made many friends in our brief appearance in National 3 South. Our President, Rod Bishop has entertained both home and away. He never misses a match. Havant beat us heavily and lessons were well learned. North Walsham applied their national league experience well and both out thought and out played us to achieve the double. Elsewhere we sneaked a handful of victories by the odd point as luck plus guts, kept us in front in the closing minutes. Our best wishes to the friends we made south and west, in the hope that they too manage to join us once again in the seasons to come.

The 1st XV plays in National League 2 for the season 2006/7 having gained promotion in each of the past three seasons. The club remains ambitious and has every intention to continue to improve facilities and to compete and entertain at this higher national standard. The First XV squad operates as an integral unit of up to 35 players and 9 coaching, medical and management support staff, training 3 nights each week. The squad is underpinned by a 2ndXV, the Wanderers, who play many Eastern Region Club 1stXVs. They also hold fixtures with the development sides of senior clubs within the south east of England. They have an exceptional record recently in winning the Eastern Counties 2nd Team Cup, the Cambridgeshire 2nd Team Cup and their Merit Table.

CRUFC intends to set up an Academy during the 2006/2007 season with a full time Manager and support from the 1st XV squad. The aim is to focus upon two age groups, Under 19's and Under 21's and bridge the gap between youth rugby and the senior game. An appropriate fixture list will be developed to complement the Wanderers programme.

The 4th XV, the "Exiles" is a thriving "social rugby" side that play more for the love of the game and the camaraderie than with any ambition for playing at a higher level!

The "Vanguards" are a Veterans team who enjoy their rugby in the way that only veterans can. They can talk a very good game and sometimes even play one. You will find many former 1st XV players here reliving their glory days.

For further information on playing, see the relevant sections on this website.

The senior Club is solidly supported by a thriving mini, midi and youth rugby section, formed as one of the first in England and a leading facility in the Eastern Region. Founded over 30 years ago, this group attracts up to 350 players every Sunday of the season with individual year groups from Under 7 up to Under 17.

All of the coaches are qualified and, as required by the latest legislation, have CRB Certification issued by the police authority.

Every Sunday, from the beginning of September to April (with a short break at Christmas) there is either training or a match to be played. Amongst the older age groups, there will often be a tour at the end of the season.

The Cambridge Mini Festival attracts Clubs from a wide area and is held every year on the Sunday before Easter. There will often be 750 children playing in a tournament with competition for all age groups from Under 7 to Under 12.

For more information on Junior Rugby, see the main entry on this website.