The Tyne bomb strikes twice. In the battle for influence on yesterday's game, time comfortably edged ahead of both luck and the referee to give our visitors their double victory this season. Late arrival of the Tynedale team put the kick off time back 15 minutes. An extra 9 minutes was added to the second half, seconds enough to allow our opponents to snatch victory after falling nine points behind one hour earlier.

In addition to the impact of minutes on the action, weeks mattered in that the game was the first played at home since December 5th 2009, and the first defeat at home in 14 months. As for luck, Tynedale were gifted the first half fortune of an interception on the half way line by nippy scrum half Dominic Shaw. Referee Llyr Roberts kept the penalty count under 20 but just edged in Tynedale's favour. The 4 minutes or so added on in extra time was as bizarre as a yellow card against Cambridge, that seemed to be mistaken identity, mixing up the tackler and the tackled. That's life and a matter solely for the referee and his assessor. Finally it is 3 years or so since the drugs team descended upon us for random testing. It turned out to be just one more hassle on a forgettable day.

Cambridge began well. Enough pressure for 15 minutes to produce a handful of scoring chances. Handre Schmidt crossed the line in the soggy right hand corner but was judged to have a sliding heel in touch. One more attack provided the chance for our slim-line tight head, Ben Cooper to stay on his feet and ballet pivot to score on the far left. With our kicker Craig injured, Stef Liebenberg's kick was a tad wide of the left hand post. Cambridge were 100% sure in the lineout and winning turnover ball from their opponents, who lacked both height and coordination. In the tight something was amiss as both front rows stood upright in meerkat fashion. Then a penalty under the posts for Tynedale as the first quarter ended.

Whilst the players were finding their feet, the spectators were coping with numb fingers and toes on a dull January day. No wind chill fortunately and perhaps just enough excitement and uncertainty to keep hopes and spirits alive. Five minutes into the second quarter and the gift of the ball and space for the Tynedale scrum half to out run the Cambridge defence. Dan Legge made up the ground but Shaw's momentum took him comfortably with his tackler and over the line. Earlier Dan's kick from deep had demonstrated exactly what was needed to pin the visitors into their own half. There should have been many more pressure kicks if only to conserve forward energy for the essentials. Only one match game in 6 weeks and lack of training nights, limited by the cold spell, were bound to have its effect on all players. However Tynedale are lighter on their feet and more likely to keep going for longer. That proved to be the case.

Apart from the stoppages and meerkat scrummaging, there was now entertainment in patches as Toby Berridge, for his first Cambridge game this season, made the 13 shirt his own. Toby offers that rare combination of deceit and pace out of the tackle. Tynedale also deliver such mercurial qualities in both Hamish Smales and Jack Harrison. But it was Toby who made impact on the day breaking free from his opponent and scoring on the right in the 33rd minute. Stef Liebenberg kicked cleanly from the narrow angle to give the home side a deserved lead to take into the changing room.

Half Time Cambridge 12 Tynedale 8

This was never going to be an easy game. Tynedale had won at home by a single point to end the long sequence of Cambridge league successes. That they would improve as the game progressed was a safe bet. The degree that they did so would be down to Cambridge character, fitness and match management. All three were about to be tested.

An early score should have settled the game once and for all. Its nature was impressive, following several phases of attacking play. Rob Hurrell provided the overlap on the right, passed neatly inside to Gareth McComb as the try line appeared at his feet. No conversion points but a solid enough platform from which to wrap up the game. But Cambridge, after a slow start, had responded well. Then the loss of Handre to the sin bin began a turgid final quarter for the home side. Replacements were on and the balance of possession shifted Tynedale’s way. That they had singularity of purpose was sensed by all. They were here to win, no more no less. Gradually the advantage went their way, starting with a breakout from defence that was sustained long enough for Captain Joe Graham to score down in the changing room corner. Handre returned 3 minutes later and the final period of the game – a war of attrition began. Into extra time and possession seemed to be just one way.  Of the three potential constraints, match management or lack of it, hit the hardest. Should we stick it up our jumpers or clear it?

Cambridge did neither effectively and whilst mistakes were occurring on both sides Tynedale were granted a series of penalties inside the home side 22 metre line. The defence held until the final and 89th minute. Then the decisive try as Charlie Ingall found a hole in the defence and touched down Ecstasy from the Tynedale bench none more so than John Shotton whose addiction to the game knows no equal. Victory, in the circumstances was fully deserved, and something very positive to shorten the rail journey back to Newcastle.

Final Score Cambridge 17 Tynedale 20

Elsewhere Newbury and Blackheath won against form away from home. The highest score of the day was 89 points against Stourbridge by Esher with 87 conceded by Manchester at Otley.  A losing bonus point keep us in 4th position with games in hand against Launceston. But there is work to do to counter the “Club” resurgence next Saturday at The Rectory Field. Then a succession of three home games should delight our supporters with hopeful signs of spring in the air. Much to do meanwhile.

Mal Schofield