Dominant U21s sweep Cambridge University aside

ACADEMY COACH
By Stefan
November 27 2005

ROTHERHAM U21 produced a top-of-the-class second-half performance at Cambridge to sweep aside their University counterparts 30-10 in a four try to two victory.

The U21s could not have chosen a more difficult start to their season, playing against a very well organised Cambridge outfit in their final preparations for the upcoming U21 Varsity match against Oxford at Twickenham.

The young Rotherham side, drawn from the U19s supplemented by players from Sheffield Hallam and Sheffield Universities, took the field in appalling conditions playing into a strong wind and driving rain at the historic Grange Road Ground.

Rotherham were behind after 5 minutes. Cambridge took the lead with an unconverted try following a catch and at a 5-metre lineout. Rotherham responded with some excellent driving play and a 15-minute period of territorial advantage going close on a number of occasions.

Cambridge went further ahead when a huge clearance kick eventually resulted in a 5-metre scrum in front of the Rotherham line, the hosts drove the visiting pack over for a second unconverted try extending the score to 10-0.

The rest of the half saw Rotherham mount several unsuccessful drives at the Cambridge line and missed penalty kick but the effort was outstanding in really difficult conditions.

The score remained 10-0 until the break.

The second half saw Rotherham producing a simply outstanding turnaround. They totally dominating their Cambridge counterparts in all aspects.

An early catch and drive resulted in prop forward Tom Browse crashing over followed by another forward try from Matt Dickson, neither were converted but shortly after Tom Outram converting a penalty to put Rotherham ahead 13-10 for the first time.

The match was now only going in only one direction with the dominant visiting pack in complete control with 2nd Row Dave Cauldwell and Number 8 James Waterhouse tearing a tiring Cambridge defence to shreds.

As the backs started to increasingly come into the game, the Duncan Richardson - Will Kirtley centre partnership created havoc in the Cambridge ranks.

As substitutions were made and all the squad given a chance there was no letting up in the Rotherham attitude and dominance, Ryan Burrows - one of our 4 Yorkshire U18 players - crashed over following a fluent move and minutes later cut the Cambridge defence wide open to feed sub Steve Maycock - fellow Yorkshire team-mate - for the fourth try.

Tom Outram converted both tries and an additional penalty leaving Rotherham 30-10 victors.

The team showed real character and clearly demonstrated outstanding talent. Scrumhalf Rhys Moon scurried and tidied scrappy ball, flyhalf Tom Outram marshalled the midfield and all the forwards showed an appetite to ruck, recycle and run aggressively gaining territory at will with their driving plays.

Rotherham U21:
Ben Wilson; Gareth Morley, Duncan Richardson, Will Kirtley, Peter Lewis; Tom Outram, Rhys Moon; Tom Browse, Fraser Wilford, Matt Dickson, Carl Clifford, Dave Cauldwell, Rob Holland, Greg Burnham, James Waterhouse.

Replacements:
Ryan Burrows, Steve Maycock, Andy Goodwin, Phil Dale, Gareth Moon.

Rotherham scorers:
T.Browse (T), M.Dickinson (T), R.Burrows (T), T.Outram (2P2C).

Report by:
Tony Price