Cambridge University Under 21s 19 Welsh Academicals 71

Grange Road, Cambridge.

Saturday 24th October 2011.

This was the first fixture between the two sides and whilst the scoreline showed an overwhelming win for the Accies the game proved to be very entertaining and hugely competitive in the forward exchanges, with the class of the visiting backs proving the difference.

The Academicals started at a blistering pace with their strong backs running in tries in the 4th, 12th and 20th minute. Rory Bundina scoring twice and the other by Huw Grundy, all converted by Ianto Griffiths. Cambridge responded immediately with a pushover try by James Scott, converted by Seb Foster. The Accies forwards looked stronger in the early stages but the Cambridge pack then settled to share the battle. After 25 mins Alun Evans scored the Accies 4th try, again converted by Griffiths who was having an excellent game. Pressure by Cambridge saw the Accies giving away penalties and making handling errors, but despite a 35metre drive by the Cambridge pack towards the Accies tryline, Matt Smith broke away to score and give the Welshmen a 35 - 7 half time lead.

The second half started off as the first ended, with Matt Smith running down the left wing to score from the kick off, Griffths again converting. This was soon followed by tries for Huw Grundy, Gus Davies and Owen Thomas. The last 15 minutes saw Cambridge building up pressure and scoring two tries in quick succession with a lineout pushover for Number 8 Nick Roppe and prop Nick Marshall crossing in the corner. Such was the competitiveness of the Accies they were not finished and a further two tries in the dying minutes came from Ianto Griffiths and Owen Thomas to complete a final score of 71 - 19.