RAFRU Senior XV v Cambridge University

SENIOR XV FROZEN OUT OF GAME AND LOSE 29 - 6

A very young and inexperienced RAF side took to the field at Grange Road on the 10th of February looking to improve on their form against Oxford University. With several senior players missing due to injury and professional commitments the young RAF team was lead out by Sqn Ldr Jack Matthews.

The game was in doubt from the very start as snow flurries and freezing conditions in the Cambridgeshire region forced the referee to carry out an early pitch inspection and bring the kick off time forward. Notwithstanding the conditions, Cambridge started the game and within a minute of the kick off the University right winger, Rob Stevens, was hacking his way through a disorganised and un-reactive RAF back line to score the opening try.

Five minutes later the Cambridge No 8, Ben Maidment, was charging through a flailing RAF defence eagerly supported by the fly half, Jimmy Richards, who took the ball and brought the score to 10 – 0. The try was successfully converted by Richards and the University side were firmly in control at 12 – 0.

Following a successful kick to the corner and an infringement in the line out SAC Gareth Hopkins successfully slotted home the resultant penalty to bring the score to 12 – 3.

The game remained uneventful for the next twenty minutes with the atmosphere proving to be somewhat still and lacking in intensity. Eventually the stillness was shattered when Richards cut his way through a hopeless RAF defence with fast feet and inspired lines. With the RAF scrambling to cover, Maidment took the ball from Richards and surged over the line. Once again the try was successfully converted by Richards and the gap was rapidly increasing at 19 – 3.

Following an unsuccessful penalty kick at goal by Hopkins, the University team raised the stakes and took the game by the scruff. Excellent running by the blind side flanker, Will Jones, and great support play and superb handling from Jamie Gilbert the hooker, was rewarded when Stevens once again crossed the line and made the score 24 - 3

A slight ray of hope emerged following the restart when Cpl Jimmy Bardgett knifed his way through the centre of the field only to find himself on his own and facing five defenders. His clever kick to the corner led to a penalty and SAC Gareth Hopkins successfully kicked at the goal to bring the score to 24 – 6.

As the first half drew to a close the Cambridge Management demonstrated concerns over the now freezing pitch. The half ended and the referee brought both captains together to establish whether the game should continue despite the hardening surface.

A very short half time break saw the players return to the field and continue with the game regardless of the conditions. SAC Sid Lewis was replaced by SAC Nick Kibble in the front row, whilst the game re-started with the same stillness and lack of enthusiasm that had been observed during the first half.

SAC Rob Little on his first senior outing attempted to inject some fire into the game and with an arching wide run from the base of the scrum found himself being heavily dumped by the impressive Richards.

As the second half developed the RAF were still failing to unlock the opposition and eleven minutes into the half the Cambridge captain and Australian international Dan Vickerman drove across the try line and made the score 29 – 6.

The game proved to be largely uneventful for the RAF side, Cpl Jimmy Bardgett and Fg Off Gareth Jacobs both worked tirelessly in the centre of the field from the start of the game, but were largely unrewarded for there consistent efforts to bring an edge to the RAF challenge. And whilst the inclusion of Fijian LAC David Ratuvuki brought an excitement to the RAF supporters, the two successive big hits that he unleashed on the Cambridge back line failed to elevate the players around him.

Shortly after sixty mins the referee, in the interest of player safety due to a now frozen pitch, called time on the game. Sadly this game proved out of reach for the young RAF side. Inspired by the centre pairing of Bardgett and Jacobs, and the inclusion of Ratuvuki, the RAF now look to take on Henley on the 24th of February 2010 at Dry Leas in Henley-on-Thames.

Forwards:

Cpl Adam Winchester (RAF Coningsby), Sqn Ldr Jack Matthews (Air Command), SAC Sid Lewis (RAF Coningsby), Cpl Matthew Wood (RAF Leeming), Flt Lt John Hall (RAF Honington), Cpl Stuart Catherall (RAF Lyneham), SAC Sam Attwooll (RAF Brize Norton), SAC Rob Little (RAF Lossiemouth),

Backs:

SAC Joel Foster (RAF Benson), SAC Gareth Hopkins (RAF Brize Norton), SAC Paul Gutteridge (RAF Marham), Cpl James Bardgett (RAF Honington), Fg Off Gareth Jacobs (RAF Cranwell), Cpl David Hankinson (RAF Coningsby), SAC (T) Matthew Clarke (RAF Cottesmore).

Replacements:

SAC Nick Kibble (MOD St Athan), SAC Matthew Snape (RAF ), Fg Off Rory Wood (RAF Halton), LAC David Ratuvuki (RAF Honington).

Written by

FS Shaun Hesmondhalgh

RAFRU Senior Squad Players’ Manager