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Sat 04 Nov 2023 · Eastern Counties Greene King Division One West
2nd XV MenCambridge III
Tries: E Mortimer, C O'Neill, D HawkinsConversions: D Hawkins (2)Penalties: D Hawkins
22
27
Tries: N Gusto (4)Conversions: N GustoYellow Carded: N Gusto
Cambridge snatch victory at the death in highly entertaining derby
Phil Brown5 Nov 2023 - 11:48
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Ives take well earned bonus point that might have been more
In a game that could have gone either way, the visitors took the spoils with a late try.
Ives started the better and despite the conditions spread the ball well through the hands. After being tackled just short after a strong run, moments later Ed Mortimer had another opportunity. He sprinted part the defence down the touchline. Dan Hawkins struck a fine conversion from wide out.
Cambridge employed strong runners with direct attacks and gained enough territory to pierce Ives defence for try.
Losing a bit of discipline, Ives gifted up possession and a series of penalties gave Cambridge the opportunity to score again.
Ives continued to play well with ball in hand and came close to crossing the line again, but for a forward pass. Coming back for a penalty, Hawkins got the hosts to within two points.
As the half closed, Cambridge took advantage of a good scrum to pile over for their third try of the half, leaving it 10-17 at the break.
The rain continued and the third quarter saw both sides struggling to maintain possession in tough conditions.
Cambridge were the first to score again as they used their powerful runners.
Ives responded immediately. Keeping the ball alive they patiently made their way to the Cambridge 22 before Connor O’Neill spied a gap and darted over, converted by Hawkins.
As the game entered the final ten minutes tension was rising. The Cambridge winger was shown yellow for a deliberate knock on, which prevented an overlap. From the penalty, Hawkins barged through the visitors’ defence to tie the scores.
Both sides had chances as the clock wound down, but a penalty concession by the Ives gave Cambridge field position. From a lineout close in, they got their drills right and drove a maul over to snatch victory at the death.
Skipper Josh Taylor was a proud man. "It was a fantastic game to be a part of. The boys gave it everything they had and can hold their heads up high. Performances like that make me really excited to see what we can go on to achieve this season!"
Ives started the better and despite the conditions spread the ball well through the hands. After being tackled just short after a strong run, moments later Ed Mortimer had another opportunity. He sprinted part the defence down the touchline. Dan Hawkins struck a fine conversion from wide out.
Cambridge employed strong runners with direct attacks and gained enough territory to pierce Ives defence for try.
Losing a bit of discipline, Ives gifted up possession and a series of penalties gave Cambridge the opportunity to score again.
Ives continued to play well with ball in hand and came close to crossing the line again, but for a forward pass. Coming back for a penalty, Hawkins got the hosts to within two points.
As the half closed, Cambridge took advantage of a good scrum to pile over for their third try of the half, leaving it 10-17 at the break.
The rain continued and the third quarter saw both sides struggling to maintain possession in tough conditions.
Cambridge were the first to score again as they used their powerful runners.
Ives responded immediately. Keeping the ball alive they patiently made their way to the Cambridge 22 before Connor O’Neill spied a gap and darted over, converted by Hawkins.
As the game entered the final ten minutes tension was rising. The Cambridge winger was shown yellow for a deliberate knock on, which prevented an overlap. From the penalty, Hawkins barged through the visitors’ defence to tie the scores.
Both sides had chances as the clock wound down, but a penalty concession by the Ives gave Cambridge field position. From a lineout close in, they got their drills right and drove a maul over to snatch victory at the death.
Skipper Josh Taylor was a proud man. "It was a fantastic game to be a part of. The boys gave it everything they had and can hold their heads up high. Performances like that make me really excited to see what we can go on to achieve this season!"
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