Cambridge were able to bounce back from their disappointing late defeat by Methody last week in emphatic fashion as they dispatched Carrick 34- 10 on Saturday morning for their first win of the season.
Carrick started the brighter of the two sides and deservedly opened the scoring after 6 minutes with a well taken try in the corner. The try was converted to give Carrick a 7-0 lead.
Cambridge, who were missing a number of key starters, began to grow into the game and were able to get on the scoresheet themselves with a piece of magic from Bovill, who took two defenders out of the game with a brilliant side-step, allowing Millar to cross the line for a try. The difficult kick was missed, leaving Carrick with a slender 7-5 lead.
The home side did not have to wait long for their next score, as a panicked kick from the Carrick 15 gave Cambridge possession deep in Carrick territory. They were able to capitalise as Stirling caused two missed tackles to go in under the posts to give Cambridge a 12-7 lead. Cambridge extended their lead just before half time as McIntyre crossed in the corner to give the hosts a 19-7 lead at the half.
The second half commenced in a scrappy fashion, with both teams trading penalties to leave the score at 22-10 to Cambridge. Carrick retained a majority of possession as they tried to get back into the game, only to be thwarted in threatening positions twice by huge hits by Alexander to force a turnover on both occasions.
As Carrick began to tire late in the second half, Cambridge capitalised with a nice overlap from a scrum on the five meter line which was finished off by Russell. Carrick, anticipating the final whistle by this stage, were burned again as Bovill went in untouched for another try to extend the score to 34-10 and give Cambridge a win to kick-start their season.
MOTM; Samuel Alexander
