Contrast the day as events unfolded. Our opponents travelled late morning, passing Northampton, to arrive for their first ever game against Cambridge RUFC. Last season the Bees lost to the Saints twice, though to a narrow margin of ten points at home.
Saints played "woeful Wasps" yesterday, the Premier League Champions, in front of 13,000 spectators at Franklins Gardens, winning 24 - 20. The media rated the game 7/10. As to Grantchester gardens, Wests Renault Park that is, 800 or so supporters and visitors were entertained to a thriller of a game. My rating for sheer entertainment and a nail biting finish would be 10/10. Real value for money here when you add in the Ladies Day Champagne marquee and lamb butties.
Unique is a word to be used sparingly. This game was unique for me in two ways. To change fortunes so dramatically over the course of the game,without the weather playing a part, was a singular experience since we began our progress upwards through the leagues. But the unique moment in 60 years of active involvement with the egg shaped ball, was to witness Dave Archer at speed, head the ball cleanly forward 30 metres and chase to collect.It will be captured for all time on DVD and I for one am looking forward to a copy. A must see also for some primary school children in Stevenage.
To begin the story in four chapters, Chapter 1, Quarter One. There must be a secret potion that propelled Bees to four tries, one penalty and two conversions by 3.20 pm. Perhaps it was their delayed arrival at the ground, an early adrenalin rush, or contagion from the Wanderers demolishing North Walsham Vikings on an adjacent pitch. Perfect day for Cambridge to repeat their two tries in two minutes entrance the week before. This beginning was very different. Early scrums indicated that the visitors were powerful up front. Yet the stature of their back line was just as intimidating. Wing Simon Hunt and centre Cameron Mitchell could comfortably pose as lock forwards. Hunt was the first to score and begin a hat trick. A looped ball given and taken by Jim Janner, the familiar ex Stourbridge 8, made the extra man for the overlap. He scored his second from a perfectly timed inside pass from Mitchell to blindside wing Mitch Culpin, once again to provide Hunt with a clean run in to the corner. A third try followed two minutes later, the gift of an interception inside the Cambridge twenty two metre line, Cameron Mitchell the beneficiary. Then the third try for the No 14 as the secondquarter began. From the accurate Woodrow boot, the extra 7 points to make 27 points in under 27 minutes. At this rate, some at the game reconciled themselves to enjoyment off the pitch, given the perfect weather.
Cambridge hate losing at home and don't repeat that experience very often. But nor are they conditioned to stepping up a gear with so much to do.
The fight back began in the closing minutes of the half. The penalty count swung our way as the Bees forwards infringed and Cambridge began to dictate in open play. In that the back row excelled, Dave Archer stretched for the line for the first score from a five metre scrum (see photo shots). Birmingham were yellow carded, lock Ed Orgee taking the compulsory ten minute count. Chris Lombaard, given space at last, followed with his first try of the season, a difficult run in to the left hand corner from 35 metres out. Craig Evans made it one conversion out of two, 12 points at the interval, gave hope to the terraces even though Bees had added to their score with another well struck Mark Woodrow penalty.
Half time Cambridge 12 Bees 30
What ever was said behind closed dressing room doors had the desired effect. Bees were never in the game for the entire second half. Consoled by just one more penalty they clung on to their 5 league points as Cambridge worked their way back into contention. Darren Fox scored his second try for his new club, strength again applied at close quarters. Craig Evans converted then nudged over a penalty. The score boards, now accessible from all sides of the pitch, showed the neat 22 / 33. It was to stick stubbornly at that until extra time. Replacements on, Cambridge battled for league points, if not a late victory. Bees were back to full strength, following their second yellow card given to companion lock Alex Davidson. New Cambridge half backs presented a new defensive challenge for the visitors to assimilate. In that they failed, as Dan Hunter succeeded with his second attempt at finding the line. Dan set out on the open side reversed his run with a 180 degree pivot and found a more than adequate gap in the tired Bees blindside defence (see photo shots). No question of the legitimacy of this decisive score, converted by half back colleague Ben Patston. Minutes more of active play, Bees awarded a penalty, the extra 3 points offered but not taken. Cambridge would still have had their 2 losing points but fully appreciate the gift of 3 extra positive points difference. Thanks to referee Keith Lewis and his team, Nigel and Chris, for excellent match management.
As James Ross forcefully reminded his colleagues, home defeats are unacceptable. Still looking on the brighter side we climb one league place to third, the best club in England at National 2 level, in that Cornish Launceston and Redruth sit in the top two places. Southend on Sea next week. We are unbeaten away! A positive word on behalf of a couple of players. My choice of Men of the Matches over the last two games, Luke Fielden and Tom Powell. Given the weather and the venue, it would be nice to break all records and arrive to see 100+ supporters ready and waiting. Big Dave will certainly be there. Why not join him.
Teams 
Contrast the day as events unfolded. Our opponents travelled late morning, passing Northampton, to arrive for their first ever game against Cambridge RUFC. Last season the Bees lost to the Saints twice, though to a narrow margin of ten points at home.
