CRUFC 26 - 28 Blaydon - updated

Blaydon did the double over Cambridge but will probably feel fortunate to leave Volac Park with the win.

Bob Crook's side had most of the pressure and the play in the first half, with Toby Berridge opening the scoring in the 10th minute, collecting a clever chip from Tom Wheatcroft to touch down.

Wheatcroft converted and added two penalties for good measure and a 13-0 lead.

Andy Baggett's 35th minute penalty got points on the board for Blaydon, then Mike Ayrton was yellow carded for a trip and the visitors clawed their way back into the match.

An injury time try from Robert Bell, converted by Baggett, sent them in three points adrift at half time.

A score from giant winger David Sheldon four minutes into the second period gave them the lead, and Baggett's second successful penalty nudged Blaydon further ahead.

When Tom Jeffery powered his way over the home line for number three, again converted, Cambridge looked dead and buried.

Berridge's second gave them hope, Elliot Bale's penalty had them within touching distance, but Baggett added another three points with two minutes left.

Cambridge rallied, though Will Lawson's scrambled score in overtime was too far out wide for Bale’s conversion to tie the game, and left the Blood & Sand with the scant consolation of a bonus point.

Attendance - 350

Referee - Terry Hall

STAR MAN - Will Lawson (Cambridge)

Teams

Cambridge

Berridge, Ayrton, Lawson, Wheatcroft, Bale, Day; Fidler, B Hunter, BR Cooper, Hicks, Jenkins, Ascroft-leigh, Fox, Hipwell

Replacements - Stapleton, BP Cooper, McComb, Dimmick, G White

Blaydon

Embleton, Sheldon, Clark, Incledon, Jeffrey, Baggett, Crosbie; Kalbraier, Hall, Ward, Wearmouth, Lughlin, Smithson, Bell, Jones

Replacements - Sanderson, FOster, Vinnicombe, Noakes, Rowark

Scorers

Cambridge