Sandwiched between trick or treat, Massa or Hamilton, McCain or Obama, the third visit of the Dalesmen provided an interlude of local drama and excitement. Such past encounters have been close calls, just a single point margin last season and six the season before.

Wharfedale arrived early, fresh from an overnight stop in Leicester. Such preparation is essential these days for travelling in excess of 4 hours.(we should have learnt that lesson well by now but apparently not so from last week's result). However on the way, Wharfedale were forced to make late changes to their pack, as illness and injury took their toll. Their formidable backs remained intact; they had after all put 40 plus points on the board against Birmingham.

Rain forecast for 3pm and therefore with luck, the earlier start would provide good conditions for both sides, Cambridge playing into a rare cold north-easterly. Crisp early exchanges, with referee Andrew Vertigan orchestrating and impeccable in his accustomed deployment of authority and discretion. All the makings it seemed of another well balanced game. From the kick off, play just flowed in one direction, the visitors seeing precious little of the ball. No yellow cards given for those referees who are viewing - no cards guys. There were no unforced handling errors or speculative kicks into space. In fact hardly a set piece except for two penalties awarded to Cambridge. Something had to give and Stefan Liebenberg's dummy and dart put 7 points on the board with the promise, providing possession remained so one sided, of much more to come.

Wharfedale settled in, took ball at last and impressed immediately. Their fluency carved a hole in the centre of the Cambridge defence, full back Thwaites running in from 25 metres out, Mark Bedworth adding the conversion. Even game so far and more pressure exerted by both sides. An interception from Wharfedale centre Andrew Hodgson seemed a certain try to everyone except Luke Fielden who caught him from behind with 5 metres to go. A big psychological pick up for us and Craig Evans broke with confidence to score less than a minute later. He found the gap in centrefield and then finished off the flowing movement, on hand for the last pass. Ben Patston converted and then ended the half with a penalty. He was to finish the match with a 100% kicking performance, his second this season. Given the conditions, 1 in 2 of his kicks could be described as difficult. Awarded Man of the Match, Ben was to play an overtly attacking role from full back in the second half.

Half time Cambridge 17 Wharfedale 7

Whilst the favourable wind assist was in our favour, that combined with a weakened Wharfedale pack, was to prove to be the decisive influence on the match. Into the wind you just have to have the capability of securing possession and grinding your way up field. The third quarter statistics show Wharfedale with ten set pieces to a Cambridge two. Nevertheless we scored 3 tries in 15 minutes as Wharfedale wilted. The first and his 6th of the season for Luke Fielden, back to full match fitness. The half was only 1 minute old, dressing room words still being transferred from reflection to short memory. Four minutes later and number two, Mike Guess, as the Chris Fell shots show, driving over with Darren Fox providing the double header. (train pulled by two engines = double header, for my younger readers). Chris Lombaard kept himself in the league leading try scorer contention, his strength securing the try line in the left hand corner.

The early rhythm of every final quarter is disturbed, more often than not, by musical chairs, as replacements take the pitch. A time when the 4th official is truly tested, this time Chris Jennings for his first league game. There had been a first half calf injury to Simon Lincoln replaced by James Hinkins. Mike Guess struggled with a groin injury to be replaced by Tank Kirkman five minutes after his try. Wharfedale, benching only 4, made tit for tat tactical changes as Cambridge completed their transformations. Stout defence meanwhile from Wharfedale and attempted attacks from deep positions. That they retained possession prevented Cambridge building up a commanding lead.

The dying minutes produced two more Cambridge scores. Dave Archer taking an inside pass for his sixth try of the season, the highest scoring forward in the league to date. James Knight took man and ball underneath the Wharfedale posts, left the man behind and dived over for an injury time try. Seven in all, all seven converted and our luckless visitors claiming a scant seven points. In some senses, for those of you who were there, the game provided the first real insight into our team's potential. Rob Hurrell is back and well on his way to full match fitness. We can win convincingly with coach Shanners leading from the technical area. Wired up to colleague Bob Crooks they orchestrated a well prepared game plan, stuck to their selections and delivered impressively the essential  5 league points. Redruth, unbeaten, still lead the National 2 table by a seven point margin. Their declared gate was in excess of 1500 spectators with their neighbours Pirates playing and winning away at Bedford. We visit the Duchy for the first time this season on the 29th of this month. Much to do meanwhile, with Tynedale away and Launceston at home as our intermediate tests. I will be there for all three games but by the 14th November we should know precisely the promotion prospects that are on offer. It might well be too little too late. The RFU Council must at least reach clear decisions on future structure and funding. Whatever the outcome, a win in Cornwall will be the finest hour and twenty minutes in our recent history. Much still to write about in 2008.

Mal Schofield

Photos here