Cambridge R.U.F.C.

Rugby team
teamname = Cambridge RUFC


fullname = Cambridge Rugby Union Football Club
founded = 1923
location = Cambridge, England
country

ground = West Renault Park
capacity = 1,250
President = Rod Bishop
coach = flagicon|England James Shanahan
league = National Division Two
season 2005-06 = National Division Three South
position = 1st (Champions)
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Cambridge Rugby Union Football Club or CRUFC is the rugby union club representing the city of Cambridge, England.

After the club's most successful period in their 83 year history and a rapid rise up the leagues with three successive promotions from London 2 North in 2003-04 they reached National Division Two for the 2006-07 season. Joining the top 42 clubs in the country cements Cambridge's position as the Eastern Counties' leading club.

The Club runs 5 Senior Sides with the National League Squad being supported by the Wanderers XV. The Wanderers are a successful 2nd XV side playing in the Canterbury Shield. The CRUFC senior 3rd team, the Adventurers XV also play in the Canterbury Shield. There are also 2 social XV teams the Exiles & the Vanguards who play for fun at Regional level.

The Club runs one of the oldest and most successful mini and youth rugby sections in the country, starting back in the early 1970s. The section runs from U-7s to U-19s.

The section is very successful in the surrounding area resulting in the older age groups picking up major prizes in the Eastern Counties and National Cups at U-17 and U-19 level. These awards include:

National U-19 Plate: Winners: 2002 (20-14 Winners over Preston Grasshoppers)

Eastern Counties U-19s Cup: Winners: 1994, 2003, 2004

Eastern Counties U-17s Cup: Winners: 1992, 2002, 2006

In the 2006-07 season the club reintroduced the Cambridge Colts team to help develop future stars for the National Squad.

History

Cambridge RUFC was formed in 1923 and was settled in its current ground by the 1950s. In 1993 the Club was fortunate to be offered the opportunity to buy the lease on its existing three pitches and to buy adjoining land for a further three pitches from King's College. Floodlights were added to one of these pitches in 2003 so that evening games might be played and the light available for training was improved beyond recognition.

A number of players, have gone on to gain International Rugby honours, being Dickie Jeeps (England and British Lions), Andy Hancock (England), Bob Steven (Scotland), Trevor Evans (Wales) and Simon Culhane, being the most recent, who represented New Zealand, including appearances in the 1995 World Cup Finals.

Cambridge RUFC joined the newly formed league structure in 1988 and by 1991 was playing in London 3 North East Division. After five years in this division, the Club was promoted to London 2 North and after 4 years in this division, was promoted at the end of the 1998/99 season to London 1, which feeds into the National Leagues. In the Club's first season in London 1, they achieved 4th place, plus a run to the semi-final of the NPI Cup, falling just one match from Twickenham, after defeat away at Hull by 21-17. London 1 status was secured again for the 2001/2 Season, but player attrition and an aging squad led to relegation at the end of that season. However, the club's appetite for higher level rugby had been whetted and by the end of the 2003/4 season, a rebuilt side was second to an all-conquering London Scottish team in London 2 North and won an exciting play-off against Barnes 21-19 to regain promotion to London 1. Cambridge also won the Eastern Counties Cup for the first time and regained the Cambridgeshire Cup from perennial rivals Shelford. This time, the stay in London 1 was to be even shorter; At the end of an exciting season the League championship lay between Worthing and Cambridge at the start of the final round of matches: Worthing at home to Canterbury and Cambridge at home to Basingstoke. The championship would go to the team achieving the greatest points difference. In the event, Cambridge won by 96 - 15 and Worthing were condemned to the play-offs. Cambridge went on to beat Norwich in the Eastern Counties Cup Final and Shelford in the Cambridgeshire Cup Final - the second successive Treble and promotion to National League rugby for the first time.

In the 2005/2006 Season Cambridge once again secured promotion after a two horse race. This time with Norfolk & East Anglian Giants North Walsham who had been present in this league for well over a decade. Cambridge squeezed past them with a last day win at Reading whilst North Walsham failed by 21-20 at Southend. This was all the more lucky as North Walsham had secured the bonus point for 4 tries but failed with all 4 conversions.

In the 2006/2007 Season Cambridge's home form was the saving grace, they managed to consolidate their position in National Division Two with a Ninth Place finish.

Three promotions secured in consecutive seasons. A triple treble success for CRUFC marked by a Civic Reception on May 23rd, hosted by the City Mayor, John Hipkin. The Eastern Counties RFU representative, Brian Williams, presented the NCA, Eastern Counties and County Cups.

2007-08 season

Fixtures

Table

Cambridge's Triple Treble 2003-04 - 2005-06

2005-06

League: National 3 South

In the town's first ever season at National level the club managed an even greater escape than the season before, losing only 3 matches, but 2 (including the end of the remarkable home record) being to close championship rivals North Walsham who had been seeking promotion for 10 years and once to Havant. North Walsham led the table going into the final weekend (even though losing one more match than Cambridge) due to them having picked up 6 more bonus points, leaving them only needing a bonus point win away at Southend where they had lost on the final day the previous season and Cambridge needing a bonus point win at Reading to stand any chance of topping the table and if not securing a home play-off. The day was another final day full of drama with Cambridge running out 43-20 winners at Reading to send Reading down, whilst in Southend North Walsham had got their 4 try bonus point but due to 4 missed conversions lost the game 21-20 meaning that Cambridge topped the table by 2 points.

Powergen National Trophy

As a National Three side, Cambridge entered the competition in the third round. Due to the results of the early rounds, they were placed in the Northern section of the draw and faced a long trip to Flyde. In a very feisty and spirited performance by the home side, Flyde ran out close winners 13-10.

Eastern Counties Cup

Cambridge retained the cup for the third time in succession with a 33-17 victory over North Walsham at West Renault Park.

County Cup

A weakened Cambridge side, missing several key players, defeated London 2 North League Champions & City rivals Shelford by a score of 17-13.

2004-05

League: London 1

In a league containing both former giants London Scottish and Richmond, a strong Canterbury team and a Worthing team playing much above expectations Cambridge clinched top spot over Worthing on points difference. In a league where everyone was beating everyone else, Worthing and Cambridge managed to stay consistent with a run of 14 successive wins. Cambridge came to a dramatic final Saturday when Worthing's 69-7 demolition of Canterbury was not enough to surpass Cambridge's 96-15 win over Basingstoke.

Powergen Cup

Cambridge entertained North Walsham in a 1st round tie at a rain-soaked Grantchester Road, where the National 3 South rivals ran out 22-6 winners.

Eastern Counties Cup

Retained the cup with a 53-13 win over Norwich; the semi-final gave Cambridge their first ever win, 11-8, over North Walsham, the Eastern Counties' long-standing big boys.

County Cup

Retained the cup over Shelford in the season's climax.

2003-04

League: London 2 North

Second to unbeaten London Scottish, beating Barnes at home in the playoff 21-19 at Granchester Road

Powergen Cup

Cambridge reached the 2nd Round of the Powergen Cup where they end up with an away trip to National 2 (4 leagues higher) outfit Esher, conceding their biggest ever defeat 85-0

Eastern Counties Cup

Won the Cup for the first time in the Club's history against Barking

County Cup

ee also

*Current English league tables.