Last Wednesday saw the Blues side play the final game of their season, succumbing to a comprehensive 93–53 defeat at the hands of a challenging Birmingham City outfit. In what has been a taxing season for Cambridge, the loss means they end the season winless, while Birmingham City’s latest victory finalises their promotion from a league for which they are clearly too talented.

Cambridge’s expectations were certainly measured ahead of the clash, given the stark difference between their winless run and Birmingham’s table-topping exploits. To have any sort of chance, the Blues would need to rebound like their lives depended on it, especially considering Birmingham’s size advantage. Yet it would be the Midlands side’s shooting that ultimately crushed Cambridge barely five minutes into the start of the game.

Birmingham Captain James Miller came out of the blocks hot, drilling multiple 3-pointers right from the opening tip. Just a few minutes into the game, Cambridge found themselves in a 17–4 hole, a deficit that they would never seem to climb out of. Miller’s impeccable shooting start provided the spark for a Birmingham side playing with little complacency; even from the first possession, City eagerly harassed the Light Blues with a full–court press, a defensive strategy that caused Cambridge consternation all game long.

Birmingham’s stifling defence helped them to close out the first quarter holding a sizeable 28–9 lead, with Cambridge only just beginning to minimise City’s offensive effectiveness as the first period wound down. Jesus’ Guard Yuu Kunisada was responsible for Cambridge’s first points on the night, yet was harried persistently whenever in possession, as he struggled to unleash his playmaking ability. Whenever Cambridge tried to run a pick and roll to escape this pressure, Birmingham blitzed the screens, sending an intimidating double–team Kunisada’s way in order to force turnovers.

“Frith’s ability to push the pace proved invaluable in beating the Birmingham press”

During the second quarter, Cambridge continued to struggle to secure the necessary rebounds to resist Birmingham’s pressure, allowing their opponents too many second-chance points. With minimal space to shoot, Cambridge had to resort to deep–range attempts – a strategy that brought surprisingly successful results. Cam Captain Alex Ramsay was an expert marksman from 3-point range all night, as he flexed a combination of shooting prowess and accomplished dribbling. Going into the half 25–52 down, it was evident that Cambridge would be hard-pushed to come away victorious, yet the second period had brought more positives than the first.

“A ridiculous buzzer-beating 3-point bankshot from Ramsay was a consolatory Cambridge highlight”

Alongside Ramsay’s sharp shooting, Clare Hall Forward Harry Frith sparked into gear as the second half began, scoring layups and leading his teammates up the court with a wicked combination of speed and stamina. Frith’s ability to push the pace proved invaluable in beating the Birmingham press, and his ability to finish on lung-busting drives to the rim brought life to Cambridge’s previously stagnating offensive efforts. Meanwhile, at the Centre position, former University rower Tom Connor was locked into battle all game long with counterpart Emeka Akim–Nweke. Both men cancelled each other out, with Connor seeing little joy under the basket against Akim–Nweke’s colossal frame.

An eventual 53–93 loss didn’t provide much opportunity for sideline smiles, yet Jesus Guard Jude Clerk’s chase-down block midway through the third did bring the bench to their feet. Minutes later, a ridiculous buzzer-beating 3–point bankshot from Ramsay was a consolatory Cambridge highlight, ahead of the season’s final quarter.

As the match wound to a close, Cambridge will have been relieved that the game didn’t completely escape them after Birmingham City’s hot start, yet the players themselves would be the first to admit that even the lopsided final score didn’t quite do the away side’s all-round dominance justice. It must be remembered, of course, that Birmingham City are a side very clearly destined for bigger things – these two sides are rightly now two divisions apart.

After an impressive mixture of athleticism, strength and poise were on display at the University Sports Centre, Cambridge will now have ample time to regroup as well as to recruit as they move down a division. Next season, Cambridge will see greater joy – the undeniable focus for the Blues will be to bounce right back.