Cambridge 31 Southend 22

Never one to dwell too long on superstitions, Friday the 13th passed, incident free, raising £57m + for Red Nose Day. Yesterday seemed destined to be different. All the signs pointed to an upset, yet another win for CRUFC and 5 secure league points was the eventual outcome.

Lowlights of my Saturday morning mini disasters were a burst foot blister and mosquito bites (in March!). Then glimpses of the Old Trafford game and score line made me rethink our prospects for the afternoon. A farce of a Match Programme to sort out, with our opposition listing resembling an American grid iron line up. The vocal enthusiasm of the early spectators, but a fascinating mixture of Sarfend and Spanish. This was indeed proving to be a Friday the 13th or, for our welcome visitors from Santender, Tuesday the 13th. Could our unbroken 3 month run of 7 league wins be about to end? Southend's lowly position in National League 2 suggested a comfortable home win, but scrutiny of their recent form gave cause for concern and a possible upset. More than just a thought, it became a worry as 3pm drew close and matching bibs and balls to ball boys became an urgent last minute task for the touchline team.

Conditions were good, occasional sunshine and a westerly wind that was there to help both sides in both halves. That the match then turned out to be an awkward affair could be attributed to either a clash of styles or the cliché, "irresistible forces v immovable objects". Referee Steve Lee managed the game competently, awarding 9 penalties to either side. An even-handed intervention, although Southend could perhaps have felt aggrieved about their yellow card against effective prop, Isaac Cook. They did however express concern about game continuity and player injuries. The sin bin offence was to have an unexpected impact on the game, coming as it did just before half time.

Southend opened the scoring from only 20% of the possession in the first quarter of the game. Simon Hoult's classy try, was not converted and Cambridge replied within 3 minutes. Once again it was the shock of the early score as at Wharfedale a week earlier that produced more effective Cambridge attacks. James Hinkins broke from deep, making metres with the Southend defence in pursuit. Shanners was there for the inside pass and space enough to curve into the posts for a sure additional 2 points. The home side lead was then underpinned by the solid construction of 3 tries in the 2nd quarter; none was attributable however to the yellow card and a weakened opponent. Chris Lombaard scored the first and his first for a while. He shrugged off two players to make the line in the left hand corner. Tough kick for Craig Evans assessing the fickle, hard to read wind. He did however successfully convert the next two tries as the first half ended. Two in 3 minutes, "that's better"! One for Tom Powell showing his rugby 7's credentials with two side steps inside and a run in from the 22 metre line.Darren Fox delivered the second, prosaic in contrast, but much in character as once again he was on hand to pick up and dive over. First half over, 4 try bonus point secure and Southend down to 14 men for the start of the second half. A perfect dressing room scenario for the home side. Much to worry over for the visitors.

Then perhaps it was indeed business as usual and just a question now of how many tries could be added in the 40 or so minutes remaining. Luke Fielden obliged with his 16th league try of the season. And that was that for Cambridge and their supporters. Superstition claimed centre stage and Southend slowly but surely took over the game as Isaac Cook returned alongside replacements. They dominated play and countered every Cambridge initiative threefold. Match winner on other occasions, Andy Frost stepped inside the Cambridge defence twice, accelerated and crossed the line between the posts. Easy conversion for him, but then Simon Hoult scored his second. Frosty converted this from a difficult angle. 22 points, Southend looking by far the better side and 10 minutes remaining. The Cambridge defence, rallied by Captain Fox, did all that was necessary to hang on and win. Late pressure might well have produced a face saving score but the whistle intervened.

Awkward, tense, frustrating and yet our aim was accomplished; my early concerns perhaps unwarranted. Welcome back, by the way, to Adam Barnard, playing his first National 2 game this season after a long term and frustrating shoulder injury. The squad know that they are capable of much more and hopefully will deliver it next week against Tynedale.  Anything less than a convincing reversal of our nightmare game in the Tyne valley, will be, for me at least, a big disappointment. With or without their junior Falcons, Tynedale are a formidable rugby side with fast backs and mobile forwards. They ruthlessly exploit every loss in concentration and visit Cambridge for their first ever league game. They are far from strangers here, good friends in fact who have seen Cambridge as their southern oasis for other league encounters. This time they travel down by train to and bus from Peterborough. Could that make a difference to the outcome? We shall see whether or not the Friday 13th syndrome affects any day or every day for anyone or everyone.

Mal Schofield

Photos are here