Attacking edge catches the eye as Cambridge University made to sweat in win over Crawshays Welsh XV in Varsity Match build-up

The width of the post secured Cambridge University a 23-22 win over a resurgent Crawshays Welsh XV in an entertaining match at Grange Road.

The Light Blues returned to their home turf for the first time in three weeks after a trip to Trinity College Dublin, where they were defeated 12-9.

It was only by the skin of their teeth that they secured a third victory of the Michaelmas Term though.

The tenacious representative side dug deep in the second half to chip away at the scoreboard, and in the last play of the game, were rewarded with a try from Will Griffiths.

It narrowed the deficit to one point, but with Evan Lloyd using the full allowance of his time for the conversion, the fly-half was faced by a charging cavalry of Light Blues and ended up striking the upright with his kick, and the ball bounced out rather than through the posts.

The outcome was perhaps a little unlucky on the visitors for their second-half endeavours, but probably a due reward for the students for an impressive first half.

The route to facing Oxford in the Varsity Match at Twickenham is not so much paved with gold, more lined with stepping stones that must be negotiated.

It is about bringing together so many facets of the game, and what the Light Blues demonstrated in the first half against Crawshays was the progress that they are making.

On this occasion, it was their attacking play that particularly stood out.

Harnessed by good game management and an intelligent kicking approach, the back three of Tom Lovelace, Fergus Jemphrey and Joey Gatus were able to strut their stuff.

They came together as a potent force, with neat movement and combinations, good support lines and clever offloads. While it may not always have reaped the rewards it deserved, it posed questions for the defence to make them scramble.

Crawshays had missed a penalty after just two minutes, and then livewire winger James McCarthy, of Dragons, who carried a threat all game, almost got the ball down moments later.

However, the students began to assert their authority on the match.

The first try was not long in arriving. It came as play was worked out from a scrum, and a great popped pass by Lovelace saw Tom Mullaney hit the perfect line to burst through and score. Mike Phillips added the conversion.

A little over 10 minutes later, Jemphrey scored the leading contender for try of the term so far.

The winger picked up possession inside his own half on the right and then cut inside, past up to five should-be tackles before straightening up to touch down beneath the posts. Phillips’ extras made it 14-0 and he then landed a penalty to extend their advantage.

The students had been impressive in the way they controlled the half, and of equal note is the competition developing for places on the flanks.

Ollie Smart and Ali Broughton were starting against Crawshays having enhanced their prospects in Ireland, in an area of the team in which Tom Walton, Sean McMahon and Archie Smeaton have also caught the eye in previous matches.

It is a headache that captain Stephen Leonard and coach James Shanahan will no doubt relish.

The only fly in the ointment was a penalty from Lloyd in the 39th minute, but that malaise was to set in after the break as the university were unable to raise their levels to the same heights they hit in the first half.

They were pegged back deep inside their own half, and it was turning into a big defensive shift.

Crawshays started to turn the screw through their forwards, and got a try back through replacement scrum-half Dafydd Buckland sniping on the line, with Lloyd’s conversion making it 20-10.

Phillips gave the Light Blues some breathing space with a long-range penalty, but Crawshays were not fading away.

They stepped up their comeback with six minutes remaining as the attriotional nature of the game led to Newport’s Corey Howells powering over the line, and Lloyd kicked the extras to make it 23-17.

Griffiths then pounced in the last play for the try which Lloyd was unable to convert in what was almost an ideal match for the hosts.

There were many positives to take from their performance, but on the flip-side, plenty for them to consider from the second half so, all-in-all, a win-win.

Cambridge University: Gatus; Lovelace, Mullaney, Mackle, Jemphrey; Phillips, Gliksten; MacCallum, Huppatz, Harborne, Beckett, Horwill, Smart, Broughton, Leonard.

Replacements: Schusman, Collins, Cook, Smeaton, McMahon, Walton, Saunders, Laing, Elms.

Crawshays Welsh XV: Reed (Bedford Blues); Davies (Blackheath), Jacobs (Llandello), Payne (Aberavon), McCarthy (Dragons); Lloyd (Dragons), Maynard (Llandovery); Lavender (Bargoed), Tanner (Moseley), Evans (Pontypool), Powell (Bargoed), Io Jones (Neath), R Jones (Treorchy), Nash (Pontypool), Ie Jones (Pontypool).

Replacements: Griffiths (Dragons), Peddle (Cross Keys), Warren (Cardiff Blues), Mattravers (Bedwas), Reid (Newport), Buckland (Dragons), Penny (Dragons), Howells (Newport).

Scorers: 15min Mullaney try - Phillips con (7-0), 28 Jemphrey try - Phillips con (14-0), 37 Phillips pen (17-0), 40+2 Lloyd pen (17-3), 43 Phillips pen (20-3), 63 Buckland try - Lloyd con (20-10), 68 Phillips pen (23-10), 74 Howells try - Lloyd con (23-17), 80+4 Griffiths try (23-22).

Referee: Veryan Boscawen.