Here’s Richie:
“It was a very sobering result last weekend against top of the table Ealing Trailfinders. Unfortunately, there was a significant gulf between both teams and we struggled to get any foothold into the game. I thought Ealing were even more ruthless than they were last season – and I wouldn’t be surprised if they inflicted the same pain on other teams between now and the end of the season. It is important that we put the game into context, own the performance and quickly move on. Despite the obvious quality of the opposition, we are hugely disappointed to concede over 90 points and must be better.
“A new challenge awaits this Saturday when we host Ampthill – another team who suffered a 90-plus point reverse at Ealing. Like ourselves, they are a team that have progressed through the National Leagues. They’ve been in the Championship for a few more seasons than us. Over time, they have built a strong relationship with Saracens and on their day, are a match for most teams in the division.”
”They are able to play an expansive style of rugby and possess a number of attacking threats across their side. We are desperate to pull together a performance that we can all be proud of. It would also be a great tonic to get a result going into Christmas. This time last season, we defeated London Scottish, our maiden win in the Championship”.
There are 7 former Ampthill men in Saturday’s line-up. Ex-Mob members Jake Ellwood and Iestyn Rees, though, miss out through injury. Ben Adams and Jack Bartlett return. Leicester Tigers loan hooker Archie Vanes is back – Morgan Veness misses out this week. Also missing out this week are co-captain George Bretag Norris, Seb Brownhill and Matty Williams. Northampton Saints loanees Will Glister, Ollie Scola and Archie Benson all keep their places in the squad.
Cambridge Line Up:
15-Joe Tarrant, 14- Will Glister, 13- Sam Hanks, 12- Matt Hema, 11- Eli Caven, 10-Louis Grimoldby (CC), 9- Pete White, 1- Zac Nearchou, 2- Ben Brownlie, 3- Billy Walker, 4- Kayde Sylvester, 5- Gareth Baxter, 6- Archie Benson, 7- Ben Adams, 8- Jack Bartlett, 16- Archie Vanes, 17- Oliver Scola, 18- Jake Bridges, 19- Matt Dawson, 20- Jared Cardew, 21- Ruaridh Dawson, 22- Ollie Betteridge, 23- Josh Skelcey