Wanderers vs. Cambridge - Match Preview

Cambridge are about to begin their second season in National League 2 and improving year on year. As recently as the 2003/4 season, Cambridge were playing in London 2 North but 3 promotions in 3 years saw them reach ND2 last year and secure their place for a second season by finishing in a respectable 9th place, 35 points above relegation and also 35 points below promotion.

Looking to continue building on their recent success, the team has been strengthened by the close-season signings of players with Premiership & ND1 experience, including Adam Barnard, Tom Laws & Tom Powell from Northampton and Paul Kendall from Bedford.

These players have joined a number of current & former Cambridge University Blues in the squad at Wests Renault Park to create a team with a lot of potential mixed with a bit of experience.

Despite their geographical closeness, I am not aware of a Cambridge v Northampton match having taken place in the past so there is no history on which to fall back on as a guide to the outcome, only their differing league positions & the fact that 18 months ago, Saints were playing the likes of Wasps & Saracens, while Cambridge were facing up to Cinderford & Dings Crusaders!

However, last year Cambridge did make it through to the EDF National Trophy 5th round where they were eventually beaten away from home by Plymouth Albion.

Players to look out for on the Cambridge side include England U19 fly half Alex Goode (no relation to Tigers fly half Andy Goode), New Zealand A lock John Blaikie and wing/centre Chris Lombaard, who managed to be on the scoring end of 21 tries in ND2 last season.

Despite losing 36-5 to Bedford in their first pre-season game last weekend, Cambridge are expected to field a slightly stronger side against the Wanderers as they build up towards their opening match of the 2007/8 league campaign.