Cambridge R.U.F.C.

Cambridge RUFC

Full name	Cambridge Rugby Union Football Club
Founded	1923
Location	Cambridge, England
Ground(s)	West Renault Park (Capacity: 1,250)
Coach(es)	James Shanahan
League(s)	National Division Two
1st (Champions)
1st kit 2nd kit
Official website
www.crufc.co.uk

Cambridge Rugby Union Football Club is the Rugby Union club representing the city of Cambridge, England.

After the club's most successful period in their 83 year history and a rapid rise up the leagues with 3 successive promotions from London 2 North in 2003-04 they have now reached National Division Two for the 2006-07 season. Joining the top 42 clubs in the country cements Cambridge's position as the Eastern Counties' leading club.

The Club runs one of the oldest and most successful mini and youth rugby sections in the country, starting back in the early 1970s. The section runs from U-7s to U-19s.

The section is very successful in the surrounding area resulting in the older age groups picking up major prizes in the Eastern Counties and National Cups at U-17 and U-19 level.

National U'19 Plate: Winners: 2002 (20-14 Winners over Preston Grasshoppers)

Eastern Counties U-19s Cup: Winners: 1994, 2003, 2004

Eastern Counties U-17s Cup: Winners: 1992, 2002, 2006

In the 2006-07 season the club reintroduced the Cambridge Colts team to help develop future stars for the National Squad.

History

Cambridge RUFC was formed in 1923 and was settled in its current ground by the 1950s. In 1993 the Club was fortunate to be offered the opportunity to buy the lease on its existing three pitches and to buy adjoining land for a further three pitches from King's College. Floodlights were added to one of these pitches in 2003 so that evening games might be played and the light available for training was improved beyond recognition.

A number of our players, we are proud to report, have gone on to gain International Rugby honours, being Dickie Jeeps (England and British Lions), Andy Hancock (England), Bob Steven (Scotland), Trevor Evans (Wales) and Simon Culhane, being the most recent, who represented New Zealand, including appearances in the 1995 World Cup Finals.

We are also justifiably proud that three boys, who have come through our Mini and Youth Rugby Section have gone on to represent England School Boys, being Charlie Simpson, John Mott and Dominic Jones. Many more have gone on to play rugby at a very high level; it is good to see some of these returning to the club where they learned their skills (Henry Whitford, Tom Dann and Dominic Jones).

In addition, the Club has been a leading source of players for many years to both the Eastern Counties and County sides.

Cambridge RUFC joined the newly formed league structure in 1988 and by 1991 was playing in London 3 North East Division. After five years in this division, the Club was promoted to London 2 North and after 4 years in this division, was promoted at the end of the 1998/99 season to London 1, which feeds into the National Leagues. In the Club's first season in London 1, they achieved 4th place, plus a run to the semi-final of the NPI Cup, falling just one match from Twickenham, after defeat away at Hull by 21-17. London 1 status was secured again for the 2001/2 Season, but player attrition and an aging squad led to relegation at the end of that season. However , the club's appetite for higher level rugby had been whetted and by the end of the 2003/4 season, a rebuilt side was second to an all-conquering London Scottish team in London 2 North and won an exciting play-off against Barnes 21-19 to regain promotion to London 1. Cambridge also won the Eastern Counties Cup for the first time and regained the Cambridgeshire Cup from perennial rivals Shelford. This time, the stay in London 1 was to be even shorter; At the end of an exciting season the League championship lay between Worthing and Cambridge at the start of the final round of matches: Worthing at home to Canterbury and Cambridge at home to Basingstoke. The championship would go to the team achieving the greatest points difference. In the event, Cambridge won by 96 - 15 and Worthing were condemned to the play-offs. Cambridge went on to beat Norwich in the Eastern Counties Cup Final and Shelford in the Cambridgeshire Cup Final - the second successive Treble and promotion to National League rugby for the first time.

Times, they are a changing. Three promotions secured in consecutive seasons. A triple treble success for CRUFC marked by a Civic Reception on May 23rd, hosted by the City Mayor, John Hipkin. The Eastern Counties RFU representative, Brian Williams, presented the NCA, Eastern Counties and County Cups. We would be the first to recognise that whilst playing preparation, commitment and delivery on the day are vital, support from many more club members, valued sponsorship and good fortune also played a part in our unprecedented success.

Self-fulfilling prophecies do have a major part to play as well.

Squad building takes time and the core of the team has grown steadily since Steve Bell, Monty Pienaar and Rich Candlin began the revival in September 2003. Fifteen players from last season stayed on to experience national rugby. One in three of the current squad began their rugby in Cambridgeshire, including Most Improved Player of the Year, Sam Hoad, Coaches' Player, Henry Whitford and regular flankers, James Leigh and Matt Otter. University players, Luke Fielden (Newcastle) and Carl Bradshaw (Cambridge) began their rugby at Grantchester Road. Local boy, Tommy Dann shared at outside half with Dafydd Lewis who, alongside Ben Dormer and Ben Whetstone, was to play for the Barbarians during the season. Dafydd and Dorms represent a further local advantage, in the big contribution made by the University and their players to our season on season success. Fergus Gladstone, Ian McInroy, Tom Kirkman and John Blaikie also featured and should be with us next season. Strengthening continued, new 1st XV Captain Glen Remnant, joined mid season following a professional rugby career in each of the 6 nations. He has settled with his family in Cambridge. Our South African connection is still significant, Altus Laubscher and Chris Lombaard giving strength, pace and experience to our back line. We missed Monty Pienaar in every sense from November onwards as serious illness kept him out of the game. He is now fully recovered and back in full training. Kramer Ronaki returned from New Zealand early this year, adding valuable front row experience for Forwards Coach and Bay of Plenty colleague, Bas Lennan to call upon. Finally mention should be made of the Bedford connection. The Blues have provided loan players and will continue to do so. This valuable association extends to the town and its Universities, with as many as ten players making the regular journey eastwards. This local, global mix has been effectively organised into a consistent and at times awesome playing unit by James Shanahan our Player Coach. The support management team lead by Director of Rugby, Paul the tireless Hughes, remains in place for next season, team selection made even more difficult by the modest injection of carefully chosen new-experienced players.

Off the field, we built a brand new clubhouse to accommodate our growing support and rising sponsorship. It wasn't easy and inconvenienced our visitors in particular. Our apologies are extended in particular to those teams visiting us in December. It can only get better as we add balcony seating, extended parking and in time new changing facilities. The pitch, we claim, is the best in the league and fitting for our new visitors in Division 2.

2007-08 Season

Fixtures

Month	Date	Opposition	Competition	Venue	F	A
August	18	Bedford Blues	Friendly	H
	25	Northampton	Friendly	A
September	1	Henley Hawks	National 2	A
	8		National 2	H
	15	Nuneaton	National 2	H
	22	Stourbridge	National 2	A
	29	Redruth	National 2	H
October	6	Southend	National 2	A
	13	Blackheath	National 2	A
	20	Waterloo	National 2	H
	27	Wharfedale	National 2	A
November	3	Blaydon	National 2	H
	10	Westcombe Park	National 2	A
	17
	24	Halifax	National 2	A
December	1	Otley	National 2	H
	8		EDF Trophy Rnd 3
	15	Manchester	National 2	H
	22	Nuneaton	National 2	A
	29	Christmas Break
January 08	5	Stourbridge	National 2	H
	12
	19	Redruth	National 2	A
	26	Southend	National 2	H
February	2
	9	Blackheath	National 2	H
	16	Waterloo	National 2	A
	23	Wharfedale	National 2	H
March	1	Blaydon	National 2	A
	8
	15	Westcombe Park	National 2	H
	22
	29	Halifax	National 2	A
April	5
	12	Otley	National 2	H
	19	Manchester	National 2	A
	26	Henley Hawks	National 2	H

League History

Overall

CAMBRIDGE RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB LEAGUE HISTORY
Year	League	Position	Other
1987-1988	No League	N/A	-
1988-1989	Eastern Counties Division One	N/A	-
1989-1990	London Division Four North-East	N/A	-
1990-1991	London Division Three North-East	N/A	-
1991-1992	London Division Three Norht-East	N/A	-
1992-1993	London Division Three North-East	N/A	-
1993-1994	London Division Three North-East	N/A	-
1994-1995	London Division Three North-East	N/A	-
1995-1996	London Division Two North	N/A	-
1996-1997	London Division Two North	4th Place	-
1997-1998	London Division Two North	3rd Place	-
1998-1999	London Division Two North	1st Place	Promoted to London Division One
1999-2000	London Division One	4th Place	Reached Semi-Final of NIP Cup, loosing to Hull 21-17
2000-2001	London Division One	8th Place	-
2001-2002	London Division One	12th Place	Relegated to London Division Two North
2002-2003	London Division Two North	4th Place	-
2003-2004	London Division Two North	2nd Place	Won Play-off 21-19 against Barnes, Promoted to London Division One, Eastern Countis Champions for first time & Cambridgeshire Cup Champions
2004-2005	London Division One	1st Place	Promoted to National Division Three South, Eastern Counties & Cambridgeshire Cup Champions
2005-2006	National Division Three South	1st Place	Promoted to National Division Two, Eastern Counties & Cambridgeshire Cup Champions
2006-2007	National Division Two	9th place	5th round in Powergen National Trophy, loosing away to Plymouth Albion

Season Reviews

2006-07 Season

Cambridge, playing their debut season in the 3rd tier of English Club Rugby finish in 9th position with 61 points & a positive points difference. Many lessons have been learned, developments made & lots of fun had. The season culminating in a wonderful end of season party game with a 107-5 win over Harrogate. Cambridge will be pleased with the consolidation of their league position & will look to build, learn & look forward to next season.

Fixtures

Month	Date	Opposition	Competition	Venue	F	A
August	11	Bedford Blues	Friendly	A	26	24
	19	Newbury	Friendly	H	12	33
	26	Blaydon	Friendly	A	42	33
	29	Hertford (cancelled)	Friendly	A
September	2	Harrogate	National 2	A	17	19
	9	Blackheath	National 2	H	39	28
	16	Nuneaton	National 2	A	22	27
	23	Henley	National 2	A	23	34
	30	Wharfedale	National 2	H	22	16
October	7	Redruth	National 2	A	16	32
	14	Barking	National 2	H	29	15
	21	Manchester	National 2	A	10	29
	28	Bradford & Bingley	National 2	H	41	17
November	4	Halifax	National 2	A	10	17
	11	Stourbridge	National 2	H	10	32
	18
	25	Esher	National 2	A	13	34
December	2	Launceston	National 2	H	27	32
	9	Bedford Athletic	EDF Trophy Rnd 3	H	77	0
	16	Blackheath	National 2	A	3	23
	23	Nuneaton	National 2	H	16	6
	30	Christmas Break
January 07	6	Henley	National 2	H	11	6
	13	Wharfedale	National 2	A	6	36
	20	Westoe	EDF Trophy Rnd 4	H	32	5
	27	Redruth	National 2	H	10	29
February	3	Barking	National 2	A	38	15
	10	Plymouth Albion	EDF Trophy Rnd 5	A	8	37
	17	Manchester	National 2	H	28	27
	24
March	3	Bradford & Bingley	National 2	A	57	16
	10
	17	Halifax	National 2	H	15	11
	24
	31	Stourbridge	National 2	A	20	26
April	7
	14	Esher	National 2	H	40	37
	21	Launceston	National 2	A	6	38
	28	Harrogate	National 2	H	107	5

Table

Cambridge's Triple Treble 2003-04 - 2005-06

2005-06

League: National 3 South

In the town's first ever season at National level the club managed an even greater escape than the season before, losing only 3 matches, but 2 (including the end of the remarkable home record) being to close championship rivals North Walsham who had been seeking promotion for 10 years and once to Havant. North Walsham led the table going into the final weekend (even though losing one more match than Cambridge) due to them having picked up 6 more bonus points, leaving them only needing a bonus point win away at Southend where they had lost on the final day the previous season and Cambridge needing a bonus point win at Reading to stand any chance of topping the table and if not securing a home play-off. The day was another final day full of drama with Cambridge running out 43-20 winners at Reading to send Reading down, whilst in Southend North Walsham had got their 4 try bonus point but due to 4 missed conversions lost the game 21-20 meaning that Cambridge topped the table by 2 points.

Powergen National Trophy

As a National Three side, Cambridge entered the competition in the third round. Due to the results of the early rounds, they were placed in the Northern section of the draw and faced a long trip to Flyde. In a very feisty and spirited performance by the home side, Flyde ran out close winners 13-10.

Eastern Counties Cup

Cambridge retained the cup for the third time in succession with a 33-17 victory over North Walsham at West Renault Park.

County Cup

A weakened Cambridge side, missing several key players, defeated London 2 North League Champions & City rivals Shelford by a score of 17-13.

2004-05

League: London 1

In a league containing both former giants London Scottish and Richmond, a strong Canterbury team and a Worthing team playing much above expectations Cambridge clinched top spot over Worthing on points difference. In a league where everyone was beating everyone else, Worthing and Cambridge managed to stay consistent with a run of 14 successive wins. Cambridge came to a dramatic final Saturday when Worthing's 69-7 demolition of Canterbury was not enough to surpass Cambridge's 96-15 win over Basingstoke.

Powergen Cup

Cambridge entertained North Walsham in a 1st round tie at a rain-soaked Grantchester Road, where the National 3 South rivals ran out 22-6 winners.

Eastern Counties Cup

Retained the cup with a 53-13 win over Norwich; the semi-final gave Cambridge their first ever win, 11-8, over North Walsham, the Eastern Counties' long-standing big boys.

County Cup

Retained the cup over Shelford in the season's climax.

2003-04

League: London 2 North

Second to unbeaten London Scottish, beating Barnes at home in the playoff 21-19 at Granchester Road

Powergen Cup

Cambridge reached the 2nd Round of the Powergen Cup where they end up with an away trip to National 2 (4 leagues higher) outfit Esher, conceding their biggest ever defeat 85-0

Eastern Counties Cup

Won the Cup for the first time in the Club's history against Barking

County Cup

See also

current English league tables.