Cambridgeshire Under 17's Secure Victory and Add to Trophy Collection

🏆 Eastern Counties Tri-Counties Under 17

📆 25th May 2025

Cambridgeshire 🆚 Norfolk

📍Shelford RFC

Cambridgeshire finished their Under 17 programme for the 2024/25 season with a home game against Norfolk at Shelford, a win for Cambridgeshire would see them lift the "silverware" having already beaten Suffolk with a last gasp try at Woodbridge.

Cambridgeshire picked their squad from Ely Tigers, Shelford. Huntingdon, Newmarket, Wisbech, Cambridge, Kings Ely, Peterborough Regional College, The Leys, Long Road, Comberton College, Impington College, Hills Road, Saffron Walden High School, Neale Wade, Cardiff 6th Form and Freeman College

The week before Norfolk had been involved in a close affair against Suffolk, so the Cambridgeshire coaching staff had expected a close game, within five minutes into the game, Cambridge had an early opportunity to score with a penalty kick, but the ball went wide of the upright, leaving the score at 0-0. Following the restart, Cambs quickly secured possession and moved swiftly downfield, ultimately scoring a converted try under the posts, bringing the score to 7-0.

At 12 minutes, a penalty was awarded to Cambs, who chose to kick from inside the Norfolk half and successfully added points. The score became 10-0, at 20 minutes, a quickly taken penalty put Cambs on the front foot to attack Norfolk. They went over in the corner to score, with the conversion successful the score increased to 17-0.

The next offensive drive saw Cambridgeshire score again, with another quickly taken penalty. The ball was passed swiftly and precisely from right to left through the hands of the Cambs players, leading to a successful try. The conversion was successfully added, bringing the score to 24-0.

At the 30-minute mark, Norfolk launched their first significant attack into the Cambs half. This effort culminated in a scrum awarded to Cambs, but Norfolk gained a penalty. From here, Norfolk went over, resulting in a converted try, adjusting the score to 24-7.

On the stroke of half time Cambs scored again, going over in the corner, unable to add the conversion as the score stayed at 29-7

The second half commenced similarly to the end of the first, with Cambs scoring the opening try, although they were unable to successfully complete the conversion, leaving the score at 34-7. A breakout from their own half saw Cambs set up their next try. They moved the play from right to left, allowing them to cross the try line unchallenged. The conversion was successful, bringing the score to 41-7.

Cambridgeshire dominated the field, securing victories throughout the match. They soon added another score with a try under the posts, followed by a successful conversion. A critical error by Norfolk deep within Cambridgeshire's territory resulted in another breakthrough for Cambs, as they passed the 50-point mark with another try.

Cambs scored another try in the corner, successfully converting to bring the score to 62-7. They then scored again from a scrum, with another successful conversion making it 69-7. There was time for another converted try under the posts, raising the score to 76-7. A misplaced pass by Norfolk let Cambs break from their half and score under the posts once more, with the final conversion bringing the score to 83-7.

Suffolk Come from Behind to take the Win

           

🏆Eastern Counties Tri-Counties Under 17's

📆 18^th May 2025

Norfolk 🆚Suffolk

Wymondham RFC

From home it’s a little over 49 miles and fairly straightforward, apart from the police van on the A11 trying to catch the speeders out, it failed to catch me out as Waze had flagged it earlier, for a change, when I’ve been here before, the sun was shining, however there was a strong cross field wind that may cause some issues during the game, the game was to officiated by officers from CUDRRS

The previous week, Cambridgeshire secured a dramatic last-minute victory against Suffolk at Woodbridge. Suffolk began the match with the kickoff and delivered a promising opening five minutes, pushing the ball deep into Norfolk's half. However, a penalty allowed Suffolk to clear their lines. Norfolk then capitalized on the first opportunity of the game—a charged-down clearance kick was recovered by Norfolk and grounded the posts for the opening try. With the successful conversion, the home county took a 7-0 lead.

From the restart, Suffolk went on the attack, picking up a penalty. From the resulting penalty, Suffolk put the ball in to touch, however, Norfolk stole the ball and went back on the attack

The game so far was quite even, with both sides trying to play their own style of rugby, 20 minutes on the clock, and Suffolk got their first try of the game, but the wind made the conversion difficult and fell short of the posts as Norfolk led, 7-5

Norfolk extended their lead, with the second entry, despite Suffolk holding them up, but Norfolk crossed, the line to score, conversion missed as the score stood at 12-5, the third try soon came after the restart, as Norfolk powered by the Suffolk line to score, the conversion cannoned off the post and to safety

17-5

Suffolk came out for the remining part of the half a different looking side chasing down Norfolk and it wasn't long before they had a try, along with the conversion, as the scoreboard read 17-12 to Norfolk, Suffolk looked to putting Norfolk under more pressure, on their own try line as they kicked to gain some yards, a stumble on the try line saw Suffolk held up, not once but twice in quick time, Suffolk had a scrum meters away from the try line, which they managed to get across the try line, for a converted try, added

17-19

Like the game the previous week against Cambridgeshire, the Suffolk team came out for the second fired up and a different side, after a spell of Suffolk being on top, Norfolk crossed the try line again to retake the lead,

24-19, from the restart, Suffolk push on to the Norfolk try line , to score a try, conversion missed to tie the scores up at 24-24

A error for the restart saw Suffolk knock on at the 5m line, Norfolk looked to put the ball out wide, and push Suffolk, however Suffolk pushed Norfolk back, forcing them to go the other way, Norfolk were awarded a penalty with just 5 minutes left, opting to kick for 3 points, after some arguments as the score stood at 27-24

From the restart, Suffolk kicked long forcing Norfolk to bring the ball out, but Norfolk made the error and Suffolk won a a scrum, Suffolk stole the ball from the base of the scrum, where they dived over the line for a try, leaving a difficult chance for a conversion from the touch line, It proved to much as it fell short, but as soon as the ball went dead the official blew the final whistle to confirm the final score was a Suffolk 29-27 win, 

The final game cames next weekend as Norfolk travel to Shelford to face Cambridgeshire, a win for home county will see them lift the silverware, 

Eastern Counties Open With A Defeat

  🚐 @rugby__tog On Tour

🏆 Bill Beaumont Division 3 - Pool 1

📆 17^th May 2025

Eastern Counties🆚Leicestershire

Bury St Edmunds RFC

Eastern Counties opened up this season's fixtures with a home fixture at Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club against Leicestershire, the sides have met before, the last meeting coming in 2023, as Eastern Counties ran out 31-12 winners,

Eastern Counties had pulled together a squad of players from Stowmarket, Oundle, Shelford, Diss, Woodbridge, Wymondham, Holt, St Ives, Saffron Walden, Ely Tigers, Sudbury. Hertford, Beccles, Felixstowe and Hadleigh, captained by Ely Tigers, Matt McCarthy, 

The journey to Bury St Edmunds was uneventful, arriving at the ground an hour before kickoff, which allowed us time to observe the squad during their warm-up. 

The opening five minutes saw a competitive battle between both sides, with the visitors appearing to have the upper hand in the first quarter. Eastern Counties were forced into an early substitution due to an injury to Bradley Robinson (Shelford). Following the interruption, the visitors capitalized on their momentum, crossing the try line and successfully converting to take a 7-3 lead. Eastern Counties then had an opportunity to narrow the gap when they were awarded a penalty, which Finlay Laing expertly slotted through the posts

Leicestershire's second try came just before 30 minutes on the clock, as again they found a gap in the Eastern Counties defense to cross the try line, with a conversion, they led, 14:3, From the restart, Eastern Counties won another penalty, again with Laing kicking the penalty to close the gap, the first try of the Eastern Counties saw the Ely Tigers duo combine together as Matt McCarthy feeding Luke Turner to score under the posts, with the conversion added the score board read 13-14, an error from the restart saw Leicestershire score a try, as they probed away at Eastern Counties finally going across the try line to make it 13-19, as the conversion fell short

Eastern Counties had an early opportunity to add points to the scoreboard with a penalty kick by Laing, but the attempt was unsuccessful. However, Eastern Counties quickly recovered and managed to cross the try line after a swiftly taken penalty, with Laing successfully adding the conversion to secure a 20-19 lead.

 

Another penalty against Leicestershire for a high tackle provided Eastern Counties with an opportunity to kick for three points. The game took on a stop-start rhythm, with both teams giving penalties or losing yards. As the game neared its end, Leicestershire was positioned deep in the Eastern Counties' danger zone. Leicestershire regained the lead with a converted try, moving three points ahead.

From the restart Eastern Counties handed the ball straight back to Leicestershire with a mistake, Leicestershire with a scrum in the center circle, a dummy pass saw Leicestershire. break away again, only a last ditch tackle prevented the score, but it wasn't long before the score came, as the crossed the try line in the corner, the conversion missed as the score moved along to 31-23, another chance for Leicestershire, gave them a chance to extend their lead, as they were given a penalty, they stretched there lead with a scoring penalty, the last word of the game went to Eastern Counties, with a quickly taken conversion by Matt McCarthy under the posts, as the game closed to 34-30 to Leicestershire, which was the last play of the game.

Last Gasp Win for Cambridgeshire at Suffolk

 🚐 @rugby__tog On Tour

🏆 Eastern Counties Tri-Counties Cup

📆 11^th May 2025

Suffolk U17s🆚Cambridgeshire U17s

Woodbridge RFC

The opening fixture of the Eastern Counties Tri-Counties Cup Under-17s Cup took place on a bright spring day, with the Cambridgeshire Squad traveling along the A14 and A12 to Woodbridge to face Suffolk, all was going so well, until we left the A14 on to the A140 and to pick up the road that would lead us to cut the corner and bring us out on the A12 at Woodbridge. Still, we soon came across the first ROAD CLOSED sign, However, with a swift turnaround perhaps a five-mile diversion, we were back on road.

Suffolk began the game strongly, while Cambridgeshire was slow to start, So, it was no surprise that Suffolk scored the first try of the game at the 6-minute mark, although the conversion was missed, resulting in a 5-0 lead for Suffolk.

From the restart, Cambs advanced but were initially held up. After the drop ball restart they picked the ball up, where Cambs pushed forward again and eventually scored a converted try, with Conor Kraman, and Ted Hall, combining to give Cambs the lead, 7-5, with Cambs slowly coming into the game, pinning Suffolk inside their own 22, moving the ball around and from left to right, finally going over the line was Jack Hammond, to score under the posts, to increase their lead, with Ted Hall by adding the  conversion

Cambs missed an opportunity to score despite having an overlap and numerical advantage. They attempted to run the ball over the try line but were held up. Following the drop-out restart, Cambs collected the ball. Instead of pushing Suffolk back, Cambs were awarded a penalty and chose to kick, adding another 3 points as Ted Hall contributed to his total.

Not the ideal start for Cambridgeshire as they go down to 14 as they receive a yellow card, after spending the start of the half in the Cambridgeshire  half it was Suffolks turn to go down man as they received a yellow card, but it was a error from Cambridgeshire that handed Suffolk a chabe to close the gap, a pass was picked off inside the Cambs half was picked off, as Suffolk raced cross the try line unchallenged to score under the posts, with a converted try, as Cambs kead 17-12

Following the restart, Cambridgeshire extended their lead by 10 points with an unconverted try from Heinrich Kotzenberg. After the water break, Suffolk narrowed the gap with a try under the posts, which was successfully converted, bringing them within three points. The second half was dominated by Suffolk, and it became evident that they were the likely winners of the match as they controlled the play throughout the half.

Suffolk eventually gained the lead with a converted try, bringing the score to 26-22 as the game approached full time. Cambridgeshire had one final opportunity to attack. With each advance, Cambridgeshire made significant progress until Samuel Johnson successfully crossed the try line. Ted Hall then secured the victory with his third conversion of the afternoon, resulting in a final score of 29-26 in favour of Cambridge.

Next up, See's Suffolk travel to Wymondham as they face Norfolk on the 18th May, while Cambridgeshire have a week off until the 25th. 

Blood & Sand defeated by the League leaders

🚐 @rugby__tog On Tour 

Cambridge v Ealing Trailfinders

3rd May 2025

An opportunity to visit the Cambridge ground for a Cambridge fixture for the first time, having attended various fixtures over the past decade. Today, league leaders Ealing Trailfinders made the trip. The fortunes of the two sides could not be more contrasting the hosts sit at the bottom of the league, having secured only three wins all season, while the visitors have triumphed in 15 of their 18 games. It would be interesting to see how they would fare in the Premiership, but due to ground regulations, they are not permitted entry into the Premiership.

The game started and with just 5 minutes on the clock, after a bright start from the home side, Ealing won a line out to push Cambridge back over the line with Michael Willemse scoring, with Daniel Jones adding the conversion to lead 0-7, however it could have been Cambridge on the score board first, but the chance went as a penalty went against them deep in the Ealing half. On 12 minutes Ealing where dealt a blow as Akinbiyi Alo was forced off, a fast move from Ealing saw them cross the line again, but the official pulled play back as the chance went, with 14 minutes on the clock - the second try for the visitors came Jordan Reid crossed the line to score, with Jones adding a conversion to double their lead.

With 19 minutes on the clock, Benjamin Harris scored the third try, followed by Jones's conversion. This was quickly followed by Harris’s bonus-point try, as he added his second of the afternoon, with Jones adding the conversion with just 23 minutes on the clock.

An attack on 29 minutes saw Ealing probing around the Blood & Sand try line as they added a further try as Danny Cutmore crossed over, with Jones adding to his conversion tally, the afternoon then got tougher for the home side as they went down to 14 men following a yellow card to Peter White on 34 minutes, from the resulting penalty, Ealing crossed the try line once more as Reuben Bird-Tulloch scored,  with Jones following up with a conversion, as they increase the lead to 42-0, before the half time and with the Blood & Sand down a man, there was still chance for the visitors to score two further try’s, the first from David Bridges, as he score under the posts, plus the last the try of the half from Jordan Holgate, again under the posts, both converted by Jones, to lead at half time 56-0.

Cambridge began the second half with increased momentum, making progress into Ealing's territory. Cambridge was the first to score, with Elias Caven securing a converted try along with an additional conversion. Ealing started making changes to their starting 15, Ealing quickly responded shortly after as Oliver Newman crossed the try line, with Craig Willis added the conversion, the Blood & Sand started to bring on their replacements, however it was Ealing that kelp the score board ticking over as Newman score his second try of the afternoon, as he brushed aside tackles to score under the posts, with Willis adding the conversion, while Michael Stronge scored another try for Ealing, with Willis adding the conversion, the home side made more changes on the hour, on 64 minutes Robert Farrar added another try for Ealing, with Willis adding the conversion, more  changes from Ealing, on 69 minutes Matthew Herna added a try for the home side with Elias Caven adding the conversion, from the restart Ealing added another try as Adam Nicol crossed the try line, but kicking into the wind, Willis was unable to add the conversion, with full time closing in, the home side had the final word of the afternoon, as Josef Green scored the third try for the Blood & Sand, but Caven was unable to add the conversion as the full time whistle blew.   

Eastern Counties Tri-Counties Under 17s

 🚐 @rugby__tog On Tour

🏆 Eastern Counties Tri-Counties Under 17s

📆 30^th April 2025

As the season draw to a close the Counties Under 17 get the chance to take to the main stage, over a series of three games during the May, however the first games came this evening as all three Counties face each other, first up was Cambridgeshire v Norfolk, followed up by Cambridgeshire v Suffolk, before the evening comes to a close with Norfolk v Suffolk.

Cambridgeshire squad came from a number of clubs & Schools, including The Leys, The Perse, Shelford RFC, Hinchingbrooke, Huntingdon RFC, Cardiff 6th Form, Cambridge RFU, Hills Road, Long Road, Newmarket RFC, Peterborough Regional College, Wisbech RFC, Kings Ely, Comberton College, Impington College, Ely Tigers and Saffron Walden High School

The first game saw Cambridgeshire face Norfolk, all three sides had players held up due the various issues on the A14, the game kicked off and Norfolk started the brighter of the two sides, but get pulled back while deep in the Cambs half as Norfolk conceded a penalty, allowing Cambs to move the ball away from danger, Cambridgeshire got on the scoresheet first, as Callum Banks sprinted free to score.

From the restart, Cambridgeshire went on the attack again, spreading the ball out, to score in the corner to double the lead to 10-0, The lead was soon 15-0 as Cambs once again found the try line, after pinning Norfolk back on their own try line, it was soon 20-0 with another try, this time in the right hand corner, before the final whistle Norfolk were on the scoresheet as the final score finished 20-5.

Game 2 of the evening saw Cambridgeshire face Suffolk,  The game was even, with neither side able to get a breakthrough, but it was Suffolk that found the try line first

An even match, until the mid-way point, as Suffolk scored first to take a five-point lead, the lead was soon doubled as they added another try,  Cambridge did finally score, but it was too late as the final whistle blew, as Suffolk run out 10-5 winners

Game 3 saw Suffolk play Norfolk, where the game ended in a 15-15 draw at the final whistle.

By the end of the evening, all three games were closely contested, presenting the Eastern Counties Rugby Union selectors with a challenging decision for the upcoming programme. 

While Cambrigdeshire start their campaign at Woodbridge on the 11th of May as they face Suffolk.