
CCRFC
Clubhouse
E S T. 1 8 7 5

SEASON REVIEWS
The 2012-13 season has been one of great improvement for the CCRFC. A record of 7 out of 10 league wins, with an average of 30 points scored per game, bodes particularly well for a team with no students graduating this year.
The year began with hard fought match against Caius, in which we lost by 12 points to 0. After the match we reflected on game of we were unlucky not to win, with chances at both ends and a strong defensive performance from both sides. Caius, who beat division 1 leaders Jesus on route to the final of Cuppers, are undeniably one of the strongest teams in College rugby at the moment; to give them such a tough game, in our first game together, was a sign of things to come.
Our second match, away at Magdalene, was a dominant 38-19 win, with 5 of the 6 tries coming from the back line. Demonstrating some brilliant attacking rugby, three of those tries were run in from the half-way, by Whitaker, Captain Brown and Sekine; with another ran from our own 22 by Captain Brown. Aylward and Sargent went onto seal the deal in a historic game for the current members of the CCRFC.
Against Emmanuel, in another frustrating narrow loss, we displayed an entirely different side to our game; a strong kicking fly-half for the opposition stretched the back three and forced us into a narrower forward-focussed approach. Losing 4 tries to 3 was tough to take, a demoralising blow for the team.
The second time we played Caius was a valiantly fought, losing battle. Late drop-outs and injuries saw us turn up with reduced numbers for the first and only time this year. Battling on for the whole 80mins with pride, the result did not go our way.
In need of a win, luck would have it we should play Magdalene again. Putting 40 points past a weak 13-man defence, in a ruthless attacking display, Magdalene conceded after twenty minutes .The game became a friendly 10-a-side game, where the CCRFC continued to demonstrate authority on the pitch, winning by 9 tries to 1.
Billed as the ‘promotion decider’, next came the big game against Emma. In a bizarre turn of events, having postponed due to an emergency dentistry appointment, it was agreed the game would be played 10-a-side – but they would still be no match for the 17 men of the CCRFC. The game finished 51-15, in an impressive performance. The forwards dominated the game, with tries from Howarth, Bennett, Clarky, Rowlands and two from Whitaker – with thrills and spills, it was a fantastically entertaining game.
After two weeks of freezing weather and unplayable pitches, Lent then brought Cuppers - and with it a difficult draw. An experienced Catz pack was good in the scrum and effective in the ruck, a tricky game in which Sargent’s late try represented a continuous effort from the CCRFC, but not enough to overcome the deficit.
Two weeks later, we played Trinity and lost by 15 points to 7. A superb forward work rate and defence wasn’t fully supported by some weak hands in the backs, hampered by a facial injury to fly-half Kuo. Failure to capitalise on the continuous possession and pressure in the opposition twenty-two, made it a difficult loss to take, the pressure got to us and it carries forward as a useful lesson for next year’s Cuppers campaign.
The final game of the season was against a weakened 13-man Sidney side, at the University pitch on Grange Road. After getting off to a slow start, quick successive tries from Robbins, Flynn and Brown; and injury to the opposition Captain lead to another team conceding to the might of the CCRFC. A 50-0 win at Grange Road – hopefully something to be replicated next year.
The Old Boys match once again was a real highlight of the year. With six past captains of the club, it was fantastic to see so many Alumni returning. A match played in high spirits, the score finished 26-0 to the current members, with Robbins, Brown, Kuo, and Howarth taking the points. Perhaps the best performance to date of the new-look CCRFC, followed by a brilliant evening, the Old boys were left holding their contemporaries in high regard.
It is with great pride I can say to you that the 2012-13 season has been the most successful for the club in many years. Now with a new committee, the club is in a strong position to build on the successes of this year.
Season Review, 2012-13

Matt Brown, Captain 2012-13
Season Review, 2011-12
Matt Brown, Captain 2012-13
The Lent term saw some great improvements for the CCRFC, with some entertaining and closely fought matches, boding well for next year. Unfortunately it was to be a case of what could have been, with a lack of finishing being the only weakness in some otherwise superb performances.
The first round of cuppers we were drawn against a strong Emmanuel side. The defence was structured and solid but after conceding a dubious early try, the match finished in a 13-10 loss with a penalty being the only difference in a tense finish.
The next round was against Magdalene, a side two divisions higher in the league set up, and with a couple of players returning from the blues in their front row – fortunately scrums were uncontested! We also had a few changes of personnel, with our very own blues player Oliver Wolfe giving a 20 minute cameo at openside flanker. Jon Anderson returned to the side at inside centre, with Harry Llanwarne at flyhalf and Matt Brown at outside centre; a back line combination that looked dangerous throughout. It was a game that really should have been won, with much more possession and territory - a frustrating afternoon but a brilliant game nonetheless.
The Final game of the season was against Churchill, only 12 could make the kick off due to illness, injury and Uni representation. Unsurprisingly it ended a brutal defeat but it was an inspiring performance from those who witnessed the 12 against 15, with the referee commenting after the game that he had ‘never seen such resilience’ from a college side - a remarkable effort throughout the 80 minutes.
The season ended in traditional style, with the Old boys match, played in high spirits by both sides. With most members staying, the club looks forward to making significant progress next year.

