Welcome once again to another national league season, the fourth in a row for CRUFC. As always, drama and excitement, both before and during the opening match against friends and yet to be beaten rivals, Stourbridge.

As the 2.55pm last call from the referee was sounded, came the good and bad news. Good to hear, through Jerry's Blackberry, that our A side beat rivals Shelford 1st XV, 23 - 7. Bad news to see, at a distance, Rob Hurrell loaded on to a stretcher, right knee badly twisted late on in the warm up session. Referee advised and Andy Phillips brought on to the bench as Crooksey reformed his pack.

That we won a gruelling game, it could have gone either way, was deserved in three senses. We scored the only try. We made the telling breaks. The Cambridge forwards were the more disciplined and dominated the rucks and mauls. Conditions made life difficult for both the referee team of three and the players. A moderate to strong southerly wind brought frequent heavy showers, more so in the first half against the visitors. Even the points kicking, with the breeze, was far from easy with misses from both quality kickers, Patston (Cambridge) and Bressington (Stourbridge). Accuracy here alone, would have won the game. Passes and line out ball went walkabouts as the fickle conditions, at crucial times, posed more of a threat than the cover defences. Not for the faint hearted diehard supporters, oohs and aahs greeting the spills and tumbles. There was little to choose between the two defences, some cracking tackles accomplished by both sides in open play. The emerging difference was in the authority imposed by the two set offorwards. Like a boxer ahead on points, Cambridge were progressing from an understandably nervous start where Stourbridge were increasingly frustrated by expectations unfulfilled. The inevitable result was two yellow cards against the Stourbridge second row, the first on 39 minutes the second half an hour later. Given the untimely loss of Rob Hurrell for the full match, those transgressions somewhat evened up the lineout capabilities. Not that there were many. Neither side opted to exploit the "wind in our favour" gift. Somehow the need to retain possession, dictated tactics. A wrong choice by both sides when opportunities to gain 50+ metres were ignored. But very much the right choice for the last quarter as the home side camped for half the time on the Stourbridge line only to concede a defence touch down and twenty two metre drop out. Then somewhere within attacking reach of the Cambridge line, the home side wound down the clock with a text book exercise in close quarter mauling and rucking. A penalty conceded would have been understandable and an easy 3 points for Ali Bressington, giving Stourbridge a 9 points to 8 away win. Credit to Darren Fox in retaining the essential pack order and direction under such demanding circumstances. Referee, Brendan Fitzmaurice had done neither side any favours but did blow the final whistle just two minutes ahead of touchline expectations. As the minutes seemed like hours that alone lifted the gloom of an untypical September afternoon.

Quality play came in patches from both sides. A prominent back row gave Cambridge the edge in a first half limited to two home scores. Ben Patston shot cleanly from distance for 3 points and Dave Archer secured another No 8 try from close in. Had he done the same 40 minutes later then the game would have slipped away from Stourbridge and the single losing bonus point. The Cambridge back row were once again my stars on the day but for the purists our tighthead prop was  singled out for special honours. Guess the Man of the Match. (Could not resist that!). Replacements flowed steadily from the visitors. We just switched the half backs on 50 minutes. Dan Hunter and Craig Evans settled in well and impressed with their influential running game. Early second half to Stourbridge but only for as long as they used the wind with defence breaking low grubber kicks. Just over 20 penalties awarded, the slim majority to Stourbridge and 6 with the wind. Scores should have come but they did only in the two penalties attempted. Yet another two chances scorned. Such judgements under pressure have something to do with leadership and direction on and off the field. In that we have made much progress, season on season and perhaps that will, alongside our talented pool of players, improve our league position. Too early to tell who are rivals are, but dark horse Blaydon produced the surprise of the day, winning emphatically at Waterloo. Westcombe Park lost narrowly at home to neighbours Blackheath as they did last season, only then to win away to make amends. Combe is where we venture next Saturday with hopes that our sick bay loses one or two and both Rob and Toby Berridge have miracles worked on their respective knees. To both, best healing and be back soon.

Mal Schofield

Photos here