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Cambridge University rugby triumphs against Birmingham |
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07 October 2009 |
Cambridge University Rugby League Club opened this season's campaign with a friendly against Birmingham University, who are divisions above Cambridge. For many players this was the first match playing for their teams and Cambridge have eight new players in the squad.
Cambridge University Rugby League Club opened this season's campaign with a friendly against Birmingham University, who are divisions above Cambridge. For many players this was the first match playing for their teams and Cambridge have eight new players in the squad.
Birmingham had the advantage of the strong wind in the first half and played territory well with a good kicking game meaning Cambridge had to play from their own half at the end of each set. Rob Cox playing at full back had a particularly good first half , fielding the high ball and returning it with interest. All the new players were involved and made many good defensive decisions. Birmingham scored a good try when their scrum half isolated some tired defence in the centre of the field and scored under the posts. For the remainder of the first half Cambridge gained some momentum and field position and with more composure would have posted trys, but with some new players in key positions chances were missed in near the line. They did score a try at the side of the posts before half time but couldn't add the conversion to give a half time score of CUARLFC - 4 Birmingham - 6.
The wind would be a major factor in the game and with that now in Cambridge's favour it was going to be the plan to kick long and play the football in the Birmingham half. Cambridge racked up three well taken trys with two of them scored by wingers Mark Varley and Angus Sanders and it looked like it would be a long afternoon for the Birmingham team. However, momentum shifts quickly in rugby league and with some errors in their own half Cambridge invited six back to back sets in their own quarter which tested the fitness and attitude of all the players, but they came through the onslaught with flying colours to hold out Birmingham. The final scoreline was CUARLFC - 18 Birmingham University - 6.
Chairman Martin Woodcock was on hand to see the new recruits, "This is the first time we have had a pre season camp and game before freshers week and it is a jump start to the season and a big lift for everybody at the club to see such a great turnout for the camp and the game. There are players who you can see that if they commit to the training regime John Evans the Head Coach has put in place for the first term they will have a great opportunity to represent the University."
Cambridge University Amateur Rugby League Football Club is sponsored by Kester Cunningham John Solicitors. |
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