.

Lions

.31

Cambridge University

.21

..

The forwards were driving well, forcing Cambridge to concede penalties. From resultant  kick to the corner a fine catch led to Pilkington taking the ball down the blind side, but was tackled short of the line, quick ruck ball went wide to Sam Cole to dive over. 'Cliff' Richards pushed his kick wide. 15 Minutes gone Lions 12 - Cambridge 0

By now it was all Lions, mention of England - Romania was heard in the shed, even more so after 19 minutes when a long pass from Steyn enabled Ian Hyde to take it at pace (when have we used that expression this season!). Hyde then put Sam Cole in for his second try of the night. ' Cliff' Richard converted. Lions 19 - Cambridge 0

With Rob Field prominent in  the lineouts the forwards were giving Toby Bainbridge-Kay an arm chair ride. After yet another pick up and drive the scrum half saw an opening and darted through for the try under the posts. Chris 'Cliff' Richards who was having a very sound game at full back converted. Lions 26 - Cambridge 0

With half a hour gone the Lions were having it all there own way. The forwards were winning lineouts, hitting rucks, driving mauls, giving the back good quick ball to work with. This was being cleverly used by Styen, his line kicking punished Cambridge time and time again, but the real joy for the supporters was the backs running on the ball at pace from deep. Passes were given in front of the man, who was already up to speed, this constantly trouble the students mid-field.

On 31 minutes the Lions conceded a penalty on their on 22. The resultant lineout was driven over the line, but the referee thought that a penalty try would be better. This was converted. Lions 31 - Cambridge 7. 

Half time 

Lions 31 - Cambridge 7

Rob Field did not return after the break, But former Lion Simon Amor came on for Cambridge. Amor has now played against the Lions for 3 different teams. 

Cambridge must have had something in their tea because they came out very fired up. The forwards out played the Lions pack for most of the second half. They scored ( I used the team loosely) another  penalty try after 55 minutes. A poor kick through from the Cambridge winger was rolling towards the dead ball line, well covered by the Lions defence, but in the act of kicking the winger ran into 2 Lions players. Result penalty try.......very odd, one of many. Lions 31 - Cambridge 14

This was to be the theme of this half. Strong play by Cambridge, strange decisions by the ref, high penalty count against the Lions. On 60 minutes came Cambridge's best move. Ball off  the top of the line out whipped out to the outside centre who came from deep at speed to break through  the Lions defence to score a well deserved try. Simon Amor drop kicked the conversion. Lions 31 - Cambridge 21.

It was now a bit too close for comfort, constant Cambridge pressure, but solid tackling and a firm will to win saw captain  Paul Thompson lead the Lions to victory.

Final Result
Lions 31 - Cambridge University 21

Rob Field

Lions team

.

Cambridge University and Rugby Lions have not played each other since the 1989/90 season when Rugby were in Courage Division 2, their first time at that level. During the last two seasons a number of Cambridge University players have assisted Rugby in the period after the Varsity Match and they have made valuable contributions toward the winning of games. Some familiar faces will probably be present on Tuesday evening. 

But for a frosty day the two clubs might have met for the first time on December 2^nd 1893, although it is not certain where the game would have been played. As it was their first encounter did not take place until December 1^st 1956. That game was played at Cambridge and Rugby won 14-17. It was the all-conquering season of T.K. Vivian’s captaincy and it was pretty much a full strength Lions team playing on that occasion. Bob Turnbull, Brian Seaton, Brian England and Roy Garratt scored tries with a conversion by Jerry Slack and a drop goal from Gordon Worrall.  

The next game, a 7-30 win for Cambridge at Webb Ellis Road, was not played until March 1973. Since that game a further eight were contested on a fairly regular basis with a grand total of six won and four lost: five games each have been played at Rugby and Cambridge. 

It should be a relaxed evening for the supporters with no league points to worry about and with the promise of a well-contested game to be enjoyed.