Cambridge Blues 31 - 12 Cambridge RUFC

Captain Rob Malaney led from the front with a hat trick of tries as the Blues sealed a comfortable 31-12 victory in the eagerly awaited ‘Town vs Gown’ encounter, played at Grange Road on Wednesday evening (3rd October).

 

Following a spell on the sidelines, Malaney returned to the side and, assisted by two Andrew Abraham penalties, took the Blues to an 11-0 lead inside the first half hour. However, a delicate chip from town CRFC scrumhalf Tom Doherty put Pat Tapley through to narrow the deficit, before Will Carrington’s converted try put CRFC 12-11 up at the break.

 

The Blues returned for the second half with attacking intent, immediately capitalising on their numerical advantage following Tapley’s yellow card, Malaney crossing the line in the corner for his second try. He completed his hat-trick ten minutes later before Hugo Kelly, playing on the other flank, raced through at the corner after patient build-up play to take the score to 26-12.  The second half rout was completed with a Tim Lindley try five minutes from time, after a sustained period of pressure from the Blues forwards.

 

This match marked the occasion of veteran second-row Scott Annett’s 50th appearance for the Blues. Speaking after the game, the Northern Irishman played down his achievement, focussing more on the significance of the result: “We needed a win coming off the back of a couple of losses in pre-season – we want to build momentum towards Varsity and today is step one”.  Annett cited the need to improve on the first half performance, particularly at the breakdown, but was buoyantly anticipating Monday evening’s clash with Premiership leaders Northampton Saints: “ We have a fantastic coach who’s immediately made a huge difference. We’re in a good place: work to do, but you don’t want to be the finished article now.”