A bright start to the 1^st fixture of the year saw Cambridge take the game to the visitors Royston. 

Quick ball allowed the Cambridge backs to run aggressively with both wingers Jonathan Lovell-Jones and Dan Fordham in the action from the start. A couple of quickly taken penalties kept Royston on the back foot. A Royston ruck saw the ball pop out the side and with Cambridge’s scrum half Sam Miller reacting quickly hacked the ball on towards the Royston try line. Royston’s full back collected the ball but was well tackled by the electric Dan Fordham who having stolen the ball dived over for Cambridge’s first score of the game. Conversion by debut fly half Josh Taylor. 7 – 0 Cambridge.

Cambridge continued to apply the pressure with the front row of Chris Jones, Matt Dazely and George Foley in the thick of the action. A penalty against Royston, with Cambridge opting for the scrum, led to No. 8 Richard Tanburn picking up and driving over to make it 12 – 0 Cambridge.

To their credit Royston came back at Cambridge strongly and enjoyed a sustained period of pressure but Cambridge stood their ground with some heroic tackling from Elliot Fraser and James O’Sullivan.

Royston, deciding to bring their talented backs into the game, moved the ball swiftly along the back line and with the try line in sight only a remarkable tackle by Harvey Roberts, who somehow managed to hold the ball up, prevented Royston from scoring what was a certain try.

However with their confidence growing it was only a matter of time before Royston would score and sure enough their continued pressure resulted in a fine converted try under the posts. 12 – 7 Cambridge.

Royston started the second half as they finished the first and it wasn’t long before they scored again to take the led for the first time in the game. 12 – 14 Royston.

Cambridge fearing the game slipping away from them refocused and were rewarded with a fine solo effort from centre Jake Adams who ran three quarters of the pitch to touch down for Cambridge’s third try of the game despite a gallant chase and last ditch tap tackle from the Royston backs. 17 – 14 Cambridge.

Confidence high, the Cambridge pack superbly led by Richard Tanburn took the game to Royston. David Cadwalladr was having a fine second half, and with the increasing Cambridge possession it allowed the platform for the new look three quarters to show their pace. A move straight from the training ground led to Jake Adams scoring his second try of the game. 22 – 14 Cambridge.

Despite the lead Cambridge continued to pressure with Sam Dowman and Olly Jones-Lovell covering every inch of grass. Continued good ball allowed Cambridge to spread the ball wide and with the backs now in full flow, Tom Cowley produced a mesmerising side step before offloading to Olly Jones-Lovell who along with the impressive debut boy Josh Taylor and George Haworth fixed their opposite numbers before releasing Jake Adams to score in the corner for his third of the game. 27 – 14 Cambridge.

A good game played by two very committed sides that kept the watching coaches and parents enthralled for the entire 70 minutes. Our thanks to Royston for making the trip to Grantchester Road and to Roy for referring and we look forward to catching up with them all before the end of the season.