Despite leaving Cambridge at 1150 on a beautiful early Autumn morning,
and following the directions off Rosslyn Park's web-site, we spent the next 4 hours making our way there and wandering around Richmond & Twickenham. Message to anyone from Rosslyn Park reading this report. You need to update your directions. Having finally found their ground courtesy of a friendly London Scottish supporter, & changed, we went on safari to the admittedly beautiful Richmond Park, 10 minutes away. Thankfully, the opposition had not gone home & we kicked off an hour late, at 1600.
This Adventurers side, re-formed, after a couple of years absence, partly as a development squad for over-age colts, and partly for more senior players who still wish to play serious competitive rugby, lost it's first 2 matches, a friendly away at Bishop Stortford, and the first league fixture last week at home to Dunstablians, by the odd score. In both games lack of individual talent was not an issue. Ability to play as a team was, with scoring opportunities going begging for want of the final pass.
For the first half hour of this match it seemed as if we were going to suffer more of the same frustration. We were down 3 - 0 almost from the kick-off for not allowing the opposition to release in the ruck. 3 minutes later Cambridge were down to 14 men when wing forward Rob was sin-binned for punching. Unfortunately the ref had not seen the first punch thrown by a Rosslyn Park forward. Which seemed, especially in the first half, to be the order of the day, with all 50-50 decisions going the home side's way. Park's next score almost from the restart, came from a scrum on the Cambridge 5m line. Followed 5 minutes later by an intercept by the Rosslyn Park right wing as Cambridge desperately tried to clear their lines. By the half hour mark Adventurers were 18-0 down and looking ready to ship a cricket score.
From the kick-off Cambridge started to apply some pressure without looking like crossing the line. Outside centre Charlie King seeing this dropped a goal to get some points on the board. What a wake up call. From a ruck on the Cambridge 10m line, right wing Paul Graddage looped round at an angle into the line & took the pass from scrum half Dougie at full pace to split the Rosslyn Park defence for a superb individual try, converted by Charlie King. The half time whistle came with the score at a much more respectable 18-10 to Rosslyn Park.
Some substitutions & changes were made at half-time by coach Mark Fender. Warren was moved from centre to No 8, Jay replaced Tony at full back & Modgie came into Warren's position at inside centre.
Cambridge continued their revival in the second half, going straight into the attack, and were only stopped by a last ditch tackle on Rob in front of the posts. Park were given a penalty for Rob not releasing, but their full back was as bad as Tony, kicking the ball into touch behind him. The ref followed this up with another penalty, but Park managed to turn relief into anxiety with a wayward pass, intercepted by Charlie King, who just reached the line before the Park left wing, to put Cambridge within 1 point when he converted his own try. 18 - 17.
Cambridge returned to the Rosslyn Park 22m with some smooth passing along the line. Adventurers lost the ball in the ruck but the full back dropped the ball. From the resulting scrum Modgie crashed through three defenders to score & put Cambridge into the lead for the first time in the match. 18 - 22. Park immediately reduced the lead from the restart with a penalty for Cambridge handling in the ruck. 21 - 22. The next 7 minutes were all about Rosslyn Park piling on the pressure, trying to regain the lead & eventually being awarded a penalty which they failed to convert.
Cambridge came straight back after this when they were awarded a penalty for Rosslyn handling in the ruck just outside the home 22m. The quick take saw Dougie jink through the bewildered Park defence to score a fine try converted by Charlie. 21 - 29. The game was finally put beyond Rosslyn Park's reach when Dougie broke from halfway closely supported by Paul. Dougie was chased down inside the2 2m but slipped the pass to Paul who scored Cambridge's final points. 21 - 34.
From the kick off Cambridge should have scored again but over-eager left wing Mike took the final pass in front of Charlie with the Park try line beckoning. Park went into the attack again for the final 5 minutes but were stopped by superb defence time & again. However, a sympathetic referee gave Park a penalty 5m out from which they scored a converted try. Final Score Rosslyn Park Hatters 28 - 34 Cambridge Adventurers.
A much better performance for which Cambridge were deservedly rewarded. Onwards & Upwards lads.
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