Cambridge battle back to break their duck

By STEVE JACKSON

Cambridge …….29pts

Tries: Hanks 26, Hema 33, Brownhill 76, Vanes 80

Conversions: Grimoldby 27, 77, 80

Penalty: Grimoldby 43

C Pirates ………..22pts

Tries: Bokenham 23, 47 Gibson 37

Conversions: Houston 24, 48

Penalty: Houston 74

CAMBRIDGE celebrated their first victory over fully professional opposition since their arrival in the Championship.

Both sides were locked on one win and three defeats ahead of kick-off – and Richie Williams’ side dug deep in the final few minutes to score two tries and get the win.

“I’m delighted for all the players who worked really hard this week to get that result, especially off the back of last Friday’s poor performance at Hartpury.

“We had a plan today in terms of selection and they executed that plan perfectly. We’d done things our way this week. That energy and desire, it’s been missing at times this season but it was there in abundance today. We’ll enjoy the win because these bonus point wins haven’t come along very often for us in the Championship.”

Cambridge kept their line intact for most of the first quarter, having most of the possession and territory but it was Pirates who struck first, through skipper Adam Bokenham in their first incursion into the home 22, bouncing off the post to touch down. Bruce Houston added the extras.

The Blood & Sand struck back through Sam Hanks, who scurried over following a neat cross-field break and Louis Grimoldby tied the scores off the tee.

Matt Hema – on his 151st appearance in Cambridge colours – touched down after equally fine work from Joe Green and Joe Tarrant and his side looked to be heading into half time with the lead.

Will Gibson had other ideas after a pick and drive from the line out – enough to send both sides in level at the break with the conversion awry.

Grimoldby stroked over a penalty three minutes into the second half for the lead. Pirates fought back again with Bokenham’s second, Houston again converting before adding a penalty for good measure to stretch the margin in their favour.

But this week’s Cambridge were a different beast – striking twice through Seb Brownhill and Leicester Tigers loanee Archie Vanes for a big, big win. Grimoldby’s conversions were both good, but not as good as the celebrations that followed the final whistle.

It was a massive physical contest and Pirates coach Gavin Cattle was sanguine after being beaten in the dying minutes. “It seems to be the story of our first block of games. I’ve got to say today Cambridge really deserved their win. We’ve got a group of lads we’re trying to knit together quickly. We all need a refresh – there’s plenty to work on but plenty to work with”.