CAMBRIDGE SCORE FIVE BUT FALL TO DEFEAT AT CORNISH PIRATES
Whilst a weekend in Cornwall is one of the truly great away trips, Cambridge came away from the Mennaye with just a try bonus point for their efforts in an end-to-end encounter by the sea. There were, though, a good deal of positives to take from an afternoon of running rugby.
Northampton Saints loan Reuben Logan and second row Charlie Friend made their first Championship starts; a new-look backline showed plenty of pace and enterprise; and five tries away from home – all converted – point towards a bright future. However, the glaring difference between the fully professional end of the Championship and those who train two or three times per week was very much in evidence. Pirates, of course, will join the latter group next season as financial realities continue to bite in the Second Tier.
The Blood & Sand holed the hosts below the waterline 6 minutes in, with Morgan Veness darting down the left- hand side to dot down from a winning line out. Louis Grimoldby added the extras from out wide. But Pirates showed their intent with a brace from hooker Harry Hocking and although Bruce Houston was one from two off the tee, the die was cast for a torrid afternoon in defence.
Jay Tyack, Robin Wedlake, Matt Cameron and Dan Hiscocks all scored for the hosts, but a couple of crackers from Saints’ Will Glister, with Grimoldby converting both, kept Cambridge in touch at half time in a first forty where, far from hanging on, the visitors played their part in a belting game.
The first score of the second half, as so often this term, was likely to decide the contest, which wasn’t poised finely enough. Wedlake went in for his second for the hosts – followed by four more from Matt McNab, James French and Bruce Houston. But between the 47th and 64th minute Pirates were held at bay as changes were rung by both sides.
To that end, persistence paid off and the Blood & Sand had the last word with a blistering 70m dash from Ewan Baker, following Ben Brownlie’s touch down which brought up the try bonus point. Ultimately, though, they came up short against a full-time Pirates side who made hay in the sunshine. Whilst it was fantastic entertainment for the large Sunday crowd, it was another bend on the learning curve for this transitional Cambridge side.
Forwards coach Neil Harris felt his side showed promise but there were things to work on ahead of the visit of Doncaster on Saturday:
“At half time we were in the game, but a couple of big moments ahead of the whistle didn’t go our way again. Against these sides, who have great resources and are very, very fit, you just can’t not back up your positive actions. We’re working really, really hard to score tries and then we’re not winning the next 30-60 seconds. But I’m really proud of the boys’ effort . With five minutes to go we’ve scored twice. To come here and score 35 points is superb. We’ve just go to look at what we’re doing on the other side of the ball”.
Cornish Pirates: 15 Will Trewin (Iwan Jenkins, 36) 14 Robin Wedlake 13 Charlie McCaig (Harry Yates, 68) 12 Chester Ribbons 11 Matt McNab 10 Bruce Houston 9 Dan Hiscocks (Will Becconsall, 54); 1 Billy Young (Ben Woodmansey, 65) 2 Harry Hocking (Dylan Irvine, 65) 3 Jay Tyack (James French, 47) 4 Charlie Rice (Michael Etete, 65) 5 Josh King (Alfie Bell, 60) 6 Matt Cannon 7 Alex Everett (captain) 8 Tomiwa Agbongbon.
Cambridge: 15 Ewan Baker 14 Will Glister 13 Matt Williams (Ollie Betteridge, 78) 12 Matt Hema 11 Eli Caven 10 Louis Grimoldby (Joe Tarrant, 65) 9 Sam Edwards (Ruaridh Dawson, 53); 1 Jake Ellwood (Oli Scola, 56) 2 Morgan Veness (Ben Brownlie, 44) 3 Billy Walker (Jake Bridges, 51) 4 Kayde Sylvester 5 Charlie Friend (Jared Cardew, 56) 6 Iestyn Rees 7 Joseph Gaffan (Matt Dawson, 44) 8 Reuben Logan.
Scorers:
Cornish Pirates – Tries: Harry Hocking (10, 14) Jay Tyack (21) Robin Wedlake (30, 47) Matt Cannon (36) Dan Hiscocks (39) Matt McNab (64) James French (70) Bruce Houston (72); Cons: 10 Bruce Houston (14, 36, 39, 47, 64, 70, 72).
Cambridge – Tries: Morgan Vennes (6) Will Glister (26, 32) Ben Brownlie (77) Ewan Baker (79)
Cons: Louis Grimoldby (6, 26, 32) Eli Caven (77, 79).
Referee: Mike Hudson.
Assistants: Andy Wigley & James Milliner-Woodcock.
Attendance: 1512.