Tries from Will Steele, Dugal Bain and Rob Malaney capped a strong second-half display from Cambridge in which they dominated their professional opponents. However, a try 15 minutes from time from centre Michael Stanley ultimately proved to be the deciding factor, as Saracens ran out victors by 2 points.

Cambridge enjoyed some brighter phases in the opening exchanges, with Andrew Abraham narrowly failing to capitalise on a fumble in the Saracens back line with the try line in his sights. The visitors took full advantage of this good fortune, as the dangerous pairing of full-back Charlie Kingsman and winger Nathan Earle, thwarted by resolute defensive play seconds earlier, combined to score the game’s first try, as Kingsman found space to go over on the left.

A penalty apiece for opposing full-backs Rob Stephen and Kingsman looked to be taking the game to the interval delicately poised at 8-3. But the Saracens’ number 8 muscled through the initial line of defence from inside his own 22, dummying and beating four tacklers before putting Earle through for a try that was converted with the last kick of the half.

Seeking to make up for a 12-point deficit, Cambridge showed terrific resolve and attacking flair after the interval. Kristian Cook, introduced at full-back on return from injury, threw a miss-pass to put Will Smith through on the left only to be hauled down just short of the line. With 20 minutes left, the Blues were rewarded for their territorial supremacy as Matt Steele went over with support from his forwards. Spurred on by an increasingly animate Grange Road crowd, the Blues drew closer as Bain crashed over in the corner for his fourth try of the campaign. Unfortunately, captain Malaney’s last minute try was not enough to prevent a heart-wrenching defeat following Stanley’s earlier intervention, and Seb Tullie’s conversion attempt drifted agonisingly wide as the final whistle sounded.

The loss brought an end to an impressive string of victories for the Blues, ahead of the 65thanniversary of the Steele-Bodger game next Wednesday, but they will doubtless go into that encounter full of confidence after yet another stirring display.