A Tale of Two Halves

Liz Fraser, leading a vociferous and slightly damp set of away supporters, summed up the game by suggesting Cambridge should have started from the second half. Indeed if they had they would have come away from Sudbury with a well earned 0-0 draw and probably felt they had done enough to win the contest.

So Cambridge were left to rue a first half performance that was not their best – some crucial missed tackles and a lack of togetherness that allowed a well drilled Sudbury side to cross the line 3 times, converting twice.

Yet by the end of the first half the signs were there of bigger and better things to come. In the 10 minutes before the interval Cambridge pressure began to bring results – Jack Wade sweetly struck a penalty goal, struck the post with another attempt and went close with a third from half way. These opportunities had all come from constant pressure on the opposition as the forwards – led courageously by Harry Mills and Richard Tanburn – forced infringements from the hosts.

Sudbury’s strong runners had powered them into a commanding lead – Cambridge will have learnt to close down quicker on the ball carrier – they also showed good handling skills in difficult conditions, moving the ball wide at every opportunity.

And so to the second half: a solid front five scrimmaging performance (Cadwalladr, Jones, Tanburn, Kite and Fraser), including two strikes against the head, gave the visitors new heart. Support was there in greater numbers for the ball carrier which all resulted in playing the game close to the opposition 22m line and not in their own half.

A welcome return for Devin Barry, whose centre partnership with George Howarth went from strength to strength as the game progressed, and Richard Tanburn who added excellent technique to the tight scrummage.

Dazzling breaks were made – Sam Millar, George Howarth and Jack Wade all went close, only to be denied by a Sudbury defence that refused to capitulate. Once again there was a superb defensive effort from backs Dan Fordham, Harvey Roberts and George Grimmet – their confidence grows with every game.

Plenty to be proud of in the loose – the team righted the wrongs of the first period and worked as a unit to win good ball which the backs worked creatively to use.

But alas, with time drifting away and a determined Sudbury defence, a dramatic turn around was not to be. The side will benefit from a superb, if scoreless, second half performance and gives great confidence for the coming fixtures.