CRUFC XV 7 - 66 Northampton XV

Cambridge 7-66 Northampton Saints Wanderers (HT 7-28)

Cambridge can take heart from a fine first half performance against Northampton Saints second string as they resume their National One campaign at Rosslyn Park on Saturday.

Although Saints racked up ten tries, the Blood and Sand were only 28-7 behind at the break, and would have been in the driving seat at the interval but for a superlative performance from England Saxons wing Noah Cato.

Cato starred in a line-up boasting seven players with past or present Cambridge connections, emphasising the close link between the two clubs, and was instrumental in the visitors’ attacks.

With current loanees Anders Mogensen, Alex Day, Tom Hicks and James Ingle back in Saints' ranks, the latter playing a half for both clubs, and Andy Long making his competitive debut at Volac Park, albeit for the visitors, it was always going to be a challenge.

Additionally, former Cambridge Mini & Youth players Will Hooley and Fraser Heatcote turned out in green. A hat-trick from Cato, though, two before half time and the final word in the 80th minute, despite the best efforts of Toby Berridge, underpinned a clinical offensive performance.

Cambridge had the best of the opening ten minutes before Cato coasted through the home defence from the ten metre line. Captain Greg Tonks converted from in front of the posts, and eventually finished with eight successful kicks. Berridge immediately replied for the hosts, benefitting from a slick passing move instigated by Elliot Bale and dummying Cesar Sempere for a fine try which Bale converted.

Saints turned up the heat, with Tom Stephenson scoring the first of his three before Anders Mogensen and Cato again dotted down.

Two more from Stephenson, one from Tonks, and one each from Jordan Husband and Tom Collins in the second period before Cato’s coup de grace give the impression that Cambridge crumbled.

Rather, they were on the wrong end of some sharp finishing, and Bob Crooks was happier with his team’s movement and running lines than he has been all season.

With some of the Saints likely to be back in Blood & Sand colours this weekend, it could yet prove to be a happy New Year. Teams

CAMBRIDGE 15 Toby Berridge 14 Del Veenendaal 13 Will Lawson 12 Tom Wheatcroft 11 Mike Ayrton 10 Elliot Bale 9 Lee Sandberg 1 Tom Fidler 2 Ben Hunter 3 Ben Cooper I 4 Ien Ascroft-Leigh 5 Bryn Jenkins 6 Gareth McComb 7 Darren Fox (C) 8 Steve Hipwell Replacements Ben Cooper II Oli Watson Matt Dunn James Ingle Sam Dimmick Dan Hunter

SAINTS WANDERERS 15 Cesar Sempere 14 Anders Mogensen 13 Tom Stephenson 12 Greg Tonks (C) 11 Noah Cato 10 Will Hooley 9 Alex Day 1 Adam Parkins 2 Ross McMillan 3 Danny Herriot 4 Tom Hicks 5 James Ingle 6 Sam Farmer 7 Teimara Harrison 8 Mark Hopley Replacements Andy Long Ethan Waller Alex Woodford Fraser Heathcote Danny Hobbs Charlie Sadler Tom Collins Jordan Husband

Scorers

Cambridge

Try: Berridge 13

Conversion: Bale 13

Saints

Tries: Cato 10,40, 80, Stephenson 16, 59, 77, Mogensen 28, Tonks 48, Husband 66, Collins 75

Conversions: Tonks 10, 16, 28, 40, 48, 59, 77, 80