Big 'uns bet Elizabethans

Barnet Elizabethans 15 Cambridge 26

They say in sport that a good big 'un will always beat a good little 'un and this was the case at Byng Road on Saturday.

Barnet Elizabethans lost their third London League Division Two (North) game on the bounce and, in truth, can really have no complaints -- Cambridge were bigger, sharper and more dynamic in virtually every aspect, totally disrupting BEs' normally effective lineout and some of BEs' star attacking players were reduced to defensive chores all afternoon.

Cambridge's early pressure meant the home side gave away penalties galore, two of which were kicked by the visitors' fly-half, Paul Hughes, the former Saracens player and incumbent Hertfordshire captain.

With more possession it was inevitable they would extend their lead and slick passing and good, straight running gave winger Turner the chance to score in the corner.

To their immense credit BEs came back strongly to pin their opponents back into their own 22, though cynics might say Cambridge took their foot off the gas. Following a tap penalty in front of Cambridge's posts winger Mark Caylor squeezed over in the corner and, shortly before half time, Justin Dean kicked a simple penalty to give the hosts a glimmer of a chance at 8-13 at the interval.

However, the resumption saw the visitors step up a gear and the pressure told as no fewer than four BEs players had to leave the field for a succession of knocks.

Caylor, Borst, Aspinall and Connor Davey, injured scoring a consolation try for BEs all left the action as Cambridge's power told, with them adding a second converted try in addition to a further couple of penalties.

BEs' failure to put in their first up tackles began to tell late on, despite individual heroics from Marsh and Gray and time will tell if the injuries will cost BEs in the next few games.

This Saturday BEs are away to Welwyn in the league and this is a game they really must win to kick-start their league programme.

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