Chesterton Community College are remembering Joe Herrington through a rugby match, involving students from the year 11 rugby team, and players from the Cambridge rugby club under 16’s (Joe represented both teams admirably during his time at Chesterton).

Joe will formally be remembered at 4.20pm before the kick-off at 4.30pm.

All students and parents are warmly invited to join us before and during the game, and when the players, coaches and Joe’s family join together for a meal after the game.

Venue Chesterton Community College playing fields.

Youth Do Cambridge Proud at the Eastern Counties  Champion Finals

Sunday the 17^th March saw the U13s, U14s and U15s played for the right to call themselves Eastern Counties Champions – the best in East Anglia.

In these three way competitions the County Cup winners from Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire play each other in 30 minute matches.

The U13s hosted Ipswich YMs and West Norfolk at Volac Park.
They convincingly beat W. Norfolk 19-7 then drew with YMs 0-0 in a very hard fought battle. YMs beat W. Norfolk 25-0 and according to the competition rules, which goes on points for the wins and draws only, means Cambridge share the honours with YMs. Read the report to see that Cambridge were the better side vs Ipswich.Remember that for next year! Well done boys.

At the U14 level, the Norfolk County cup final had yet to be played and because no other date could be found for the Champions final, the EC Cup was contested by Colchester and Cambridge at Colchester in a normal 60 minute game.
This was a hotly contested match between two strong sides but Cambridge came out on top 14-5 and were crowned champions. Well done lads! Read the report here.

The U15 finalists gathered at Ipswich YMs who were joined by Cambridge and North Walsham and a healthy number of spectators were treated to three quality games of very competitive rugby.
YMs and Cambridge battled it out first. The quality of the defensive work on both sides was awesome. Cambridge had the better of the possession and territory and scored a great try by stretching YMs one way then the other, that was the difference between the sides. Cambridge then had a 10 minute break before tackling the fresh legs of N. Walsham, going behind in the first half. It took Cambridge ¾ of the game to get back to where they had left off vs Ipswich but in a brilliant display of composed, heads-up rugby scored two tries to stun their opposition and claim the Champions honours. That YMs overpowered Walsham in the last game, 17-0, revealed what a herculean effort had been put in for the first game. Read the detailed reports here.

Well done to all concerned in these age groups for taking the Blood and Sand style to the highest level.

HSBC OFFERS CAMBRIDGE YOUNGSTERS THE CHANCE TO TRAIN WITH THE 2013 BRITISH & IRISH LIONS SQUAD

HSBC is offering all children taking part at the Cambridge RUFC rugby festival the chance of becoming a special HSBC Cub who will train with The British & Irish Lions squad. In this significant year for British & Irish rugby HSBC, the Principal Partner to The Lions, is offering young, aspiring rugby players this unique opportunity to meet The Lions, as they gather again to head down to Australia for the first time in 12 years.

When the squad get together before leaving UK shores, youngsters from across the Cambridgeshire region will have the chance to train with The Lions at an exclusive training session on 16^th May 2013 in the Vale of Glamorgan before the players, led by coach Warren Gatland, depart for Hong Kong on 27^th May.

HSBC is offering this once-in-a-lifetime prize to any child taking part in the Cambridge RUFC that shows the same values on the pitch that it takes to be a British & Irish Lion, values such as courage, integrity and fair play.

During the festival, taking place at Volac Park on 28^th April, referees officiating on the day, in conjunction with the tournament officials, will be responsible for identifying and recommending boys and girls taking part who demonstrate these values on the pitch.

Those who display sporting ability as well as sportsmanship will be then put forward within their age group and awarded with a special trophy at the festival to recognise their achievement, ahead of continuing on their own legendary journey towards their special training day on 16^th May.

Festival tournament director John Creighton commented: “We’re delighted to have the support of HSBC this year at our youth rugby festival. We’re now in the 36^th year of our festival running and the support HSBC is offering in this Lions year has taken us to a new level. To be able to offer youngsters the chance to train with The Lions is a truly unique opportunity; I know that every youngster taking part will be desperate to win this chance of a lifetime.”

Andrea de Vincentiis, Head of Rugby Sponsorship HSBC Holdings plc. added: “Throughout all of HSBC’s rugby sponsorship activity there underlies a commitment to inspire the next generation of Rugby stars and improve standards at all levels of the game. Our partnership with The British & Irish Lions allows us to fulfil that commitment and we’re looking forward to realising this through the creation of the HSBC cubs programme.”

As Principal Partner to The British & Irish Lions on their Tour to Australia in 2013, HSBC is partnering with youth rugby festivals across the British Isles in support of grassroots rugby. Over 8,000 children aged between 7 and 18 will take part in youth rugby festivals supported by HSBC in the build-up to the Tour. HSBC’s grass roots programme will result in twenty youngsters being given the chance to partner with a Lion, representing the culmination of the pre-Tour youth rugby programme.
ENDS

For more information on
HSBC Jonathan Steel: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
CRUFC John Creighton:

Download a PDF file of this Press Release here

The past two Sundays have seen CRUFC youth sides compete in their County Cup Finals and the Colts play in the National Plate Competition. As a result, the U13s, U14s, and U15s are County Champions and the Colts are in the last 8 (quarter finals) of their National Competition. Unfortunately the U16s could not make it a clean sweep in a very close, hard fought match with Shelford. Summaries are below along with links to full reports.
Well done to every one involved! Players, supporters and coaches alike.

U13

County Cup Final at Home vs Peterborough 3rd March

Cambridge 41-17 Peterborough

Cambridge came roaring back from 17-5 points down 5 minutes before half-time to dominate the second half and run out deserved and ultimately comfortable 41-17 winners against a resolute and hard-working Peterborough side in the County Cup final at Grantchester Road.

Leading the way was man of the match Theo Bowen-Sanders with a superbly taken hat-trick of tries, whilst Sam Wallis, Marcus Jacklin, Guy D’Oyly and Sam Hurd also scored on a sunny and mild day watched by an excellent crowd of home and away supporters.  Fin Creighton added three conversions.

Full report here   

U14

County Cup Final away at Shelford 10th March

Shelford  5 v 36 Cambridge 

Cambridge Try Scorers: Damon Cameron-White (2), Adam Powe (2), Harry Oemering, Tom Nethercott
Cambridge Conversions: Fraser Dingwall (3)

An excellent performance from the first to last minute, we dominated Shelford and run out very worthy winners. The willingness to work for your team mates and commitment shown today again shows the progress they have made this season.

We have qualified for the Eastern Counties Cup Tournament as County Cup Winners which will be played at Colchester next Sunday.

U15

County Cup Final home to Peterborough

Cambridge 63 v 0 Peterborough

Try Scorers: Jackson Dennis (x2), Elliot Roberts, Jonathan Cotrell-Mason (x2), Dan Scott, Tom Cox, Freddie McKibbin, Owain Collard, Hugh Barker (x2)

Conversions: Hugh Barker (x4)

Cambridge U15s continued their recent fine form with a decisive victory in the Cup Final vs Peterborough. After the first phases, when a big and committed ‘Boro team slowly battered their way into the Cambridge 22, Cambridge got hold of the ball and in two sweeping moves were on the ‘Boro line. A blind side move from a scrum and Elliot Roberts crashed through. This set the tone for the whole match in which Peterborough inched forward against a phenomenal Cambridge forward defence, while, with ball in hand, Cambridge backs cut through at high speed making the opposition turn.  Despite the difficult, cold and slimy conditions, Cambridge handling was outstanding and they never looked back. When Peterborough did get the ball, their ¾ were pressured into mistakes and turnovers by the Cambridge back row and midfield. Even with a 32 point half time lead, Cambridge did not let up and were in control and ruthless, with every member of the squad contributing.

5 more tries in the second half and some exhilarating rugby to warm the chilled hearts of the dozens of faithful supporters braving the conditions. But the Peterborough spirit was never broken and they continued fighting until the end. We salute them as tough opponents, but they met the CRUFC U15s who, already in prime form, get better each week. MoM was Louis Bodrozic who was all over the pitch all game. In fact at the end of the game, the pitch was all over him!

Next week, the 3-way Eastern Counties Cup Final vs North Walsham and Ipswich YM.

Full report here

U16

County Cup Final at home to Shelford 10th March

Cambridge 10 v 12 Shelford

Cambridge Try Scorers: Robbie Murdoch, Olli Venni

Cambridge met old rivals Shelford for the county cup final, with bitterly cold, windy and muddy conditions. A confident start by Cambridge resulted in a try after 10 minutes by Robbie Murdoch, 5 - 0. However Shelford responded vigorously and Cambridge had to defend hard. A great kick and chase from a defensive position gave Cambridge a second try shortly before half time, scored by Olli Venni, 10 – 0. However Shelford almost immediately ran in their first try just as the half ended, 10 – 5. The second half saw tense play with long periods at each end, but it was Shelford who edged the contest with a second try and conversion, 10 – 12.

Colts

National Plate Competition: Round 5

Henley Colts 13 v 15 Cambridge Colts

Cambridge Try scorers: Michael Brennan, Aston Cox
Cambridge Conversion: Josh Gray
Cambridge Penalty: Josh Gray 

Leaving behind snowy conditions, Cambridge Colts travelled to Henley and a game in the last 16 of the National Plate Competition, having beaten Blackheath in round 4 in February

With Henley's namesake Hawks circling the ground, Cambridge scored first with Michael Brennan driving through 3 tacklers to touchdown near the right hand touch line. Josh Gray put the conversion over effortlessly.

Henley then earned a penalty after a ruck infringement to put their first points on the board. In a physical encounter Cambridge exerted a lot of defensive pressure and from a chip over, the Henley defender failed to gather cleanly and Aston Cox hacked through and collected the ball to score, the conversion went wide. Henley then exerted pressure and good cover defense and alignment kept them out until lack of numbers on the right told and a try was scored in the corner.

The second half was at times a little scrappy with few chances to either side. When awarded a penalty Cambridge took the points with Josh Gray putting the kick over. As Henley pushed for a score they finally stole the ball in a ruck 5m from the line and went over 3 minutes from time. The conversion hit the bar and bounced back. There was little time left for any further attacks and Cambridge move into the last 8 of the competition.

Full report here

Cambridge Mini Festival a Roaring Success!

Jason Robinson was at Cambridge RUFC mini-rugby festival in Cambridge on 28 April in his role as HSBC ambassador in the build-up to the 2013 British and Irish Lions Tour to Australia. Over 500 children took part in the rugby festival today in age groups from U7 to U12, and over 2000 spectators watched the grassroots rugby festival alongside the rugby world-cup winner and British and Irish Lions legend. Five different clubs took home the honours from the festival, one of the largest in The British Isles.

Read more

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Protein for Young Players. How much is enough?

Congratulations to Jake Herrington who has been invited to be an England mascot.  This from the RFU:

England Rugby is reinforcing its connection with the grass roots game by inviting Jake Herrington from Cambridge RUFC to be an England mascot at the QBE International against South Africa at Twickenham on November 24.

O2, as a long-standing partner of the RFU, is also inviting 11-year-old Jake to watch England train at its training base at Pennyhill Park, Surrey on Monday, November 5. Not only will Jake be able to see the England squad train, but he will also meet the players afterwards.

The support of Cambridge has been instrumental in helping Saracens full back Alex Goode on his journey to becoming an England international.