The University of Cambridge cruised to a 40–15 victory over the City of Cambridge in this year’s town versus gown rugby match.

The university Blues came out firing, scoring four tries in the first half. Despite a spirited second half from the City team, they failed to match the university’s quality.

Fly-half Jamie Benson scored 15 points for the University of Cambridge, comprising the opening try and five conversions.

The Gown could not better their last result against the Town, a 65–7 victory in February. However, it was an improvement on the result of their most recent game, a 42–24 defeat to Durham University.

Cambridge University’s Grange Road stadium was bustling despite the heavy rain, spectators hoping to see the first win of the new season. They were not disappointed. An early try by Benson was matched by the visitors after a lineout maul, but that was as good as it got for the Town.

Christian Stehlik, the Blues number eight, added to the score soon after, and his try was converted by Benson. To make matters worse for the Town, Stehlik’s opposite number was sent to the sin-bin. Having one more player on the pitch paid dividends for the home side, stretching their lead with a second try for Stehlik and one for tighthead prop Laurence Marwood. Benson’s conversions took the score to 26–5 at the break.

The Blues’ Tim Andrew came close to an acrobatic try in the corner shortly after the restart, but the initial phases were dominated by the Town. A string of penalties were given away by the hosts, and the Town scored a try to make it 26–10. This try too came from a lineout maul, evidently a weakness for the Blues.

The hosts responded well. Substitute Fin Edwards scored the University team's fifth try,  with a successful conversion by Benson. The visitors again narrowed the lead with a try, although it proved to be no more than a consolation.

However, Cambridge University will be worried about the origin of that third try — yet another lineout maul. A pre-season friendly, this match will be used to learn important lessons before the season begins. While the attack looks sharp, the Blues’ defence will need strengthening, especially from wide positions following lineouts.

The game ended with one more try for the Blues, this time by substitute Tomos Miller. Miller intercepted a pass around the visitors’ 22-metre line, racing away unchallenged to dive under the posts. Benson converted, bringing the final score to 40–15.

A dominant display was dampened slightly by defensive frailties, but it is hard to find much to moan about after the first win of the season, on a wet Wednesday night at Grange Road.

Line-ups:

University of Cambridge starting XV: Angus Peters, Ben Gompels, Laurence Marwood, Charlie Hancock, Charles Kantolinna, Sean Ingle, Fergus Hughes, Christian Stehlik, Charles Favell, Jamie Benson, Tim Andrew, Toby Flood (C), Thomas Castle, Ikechi Mere, Ty Wills

University of Cambridge substitutes: Connor Collins, Will Kennedy, Connor Fairman, Hugo Lloyd-Williams, Fin Edwards, David Holroyd, Sam Odu, Tomos Miller

Player of the match: Jamie Benson