Ben Penfold kicks Cambridge to victory at Loughborough Students

Students pay the penalty

Ben Penfold kicked three late penalties for Cambridge as they produced an impressive comeback to make it three wins in a row with a 28-21 victory at Loughborough Students in National League One.

After wins over Esher and Bishop’s Stortford, Cambridge made the ideal start at the Students as Dan Lewis slotted a penalty after six minutes.

But a try by Jarrod Leat, converted by Owen Waters, saw Loughborough go 7-3 ahead after 10 minutes.

Lewis’ second penalty after 13 minutes pegged back the hosts, but they then went on to build their lead.

Leat got his second try, again converted by Waters, after 15 minutes to make it 14-6.

And in the 26th minute, Alexander Glashan touched down for Loughborough, with Waters’ extras making it 21-6.

Cambridge’s comeback started in the 34th minute through a try from hooker Alex Rayment, which was converted by Lewis, and it remained 21-13 at half time.

Lewis’ brilliant form with the boot continued in the 43rd minute as he landed another penalty to move Cambridge within a score of their hosts.

The fly-half landed another penalty to take his personal tally to 14 after 63 minutes, and move the score to 21-19.

It was then the turn of Penfold to take over with the boot, and he landed his first kick after 68 minutes to put Cambridge ahead for the first time since the sixth minute.

Penfold got his second kick after 71 minutes, and in the final minute landed his last kick to seal Cambridge’s 28-21 victory.

Cambridge’s sixth win on the road this season has seen them move up to eighth place in the table.

And their first game in the new year is at home to second-placed Darlington Mowden Park, on Saturday, January 6.