Wendens Ambo were able to field a full strength squad for the first time in a month for the visit of Cambourne Exiles in their latest league fixture, but fell victim to the visitors quicker start in atrocious conditions at the Carver Barracks.

Cambourne are known to have a strong pack, and in recent seasons have added a formidable set of three quarters to their armoury and were always the better side in a spirited encounter. Two early tries set the tone as the Wendens defence struggled to come to terms with a soft pitch that slowed down their runners and the home team will have been disappointed with their efforts to restrain the direct running of the Cambourne forwards.

The game was not entirely one-sided: when Wendens kept the ball in hand they were able to recycle effectively and gain territory - aided by some ill-discipline and poorly advised comments to the referee - Cambourne spent much of the second quarter on the back foot. Wendens were unable to get across the line and a late try and a penalty saw Cambourne turnaround 24-0 ahead.

The second half started well: the kick off failed to carry the requisite ten metres and form the resulting scrum, Wendens won clear ball thanks to the expert striking of hooker Dave Walker. Tony Walling's ears pricked up to a call from his left and the scrum half fed Jacob Chisenga and Lewis Thake who ran in a try untouched from thirty-five metres.

That was to be the high point of a game that became dominated by handling errors, scrums and an inability of either side to move swiftly in the heavy mud on the pitch. The best efforts of Jack Ryan and Nick Flood were in vain and when experienced winger John Lodge was penalised for a high tackle, Cambourne were able to round off the game with a short range try. Wendens will be glad to have got back to fielding a full side, and will look forward to next week's visit from Wisbech with some optimism, knowing that the 39-5 scoreline exaggerated the differences between the two teams.

Wendens Ambo

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