Starting line-up

1 Brad (Baz) 2 Ren Pesci 3 Graham (Capt) Beckford

4 Matt Price 5 Rik Relph

6 Chris (Psycho) Edwards 7 Chris (The Glove) Milne 8 Stuart (Fabio) Faben

9 Rolando Pesci 10 Daray Horn 15 John Bateson

11Ben Sutton 12 Will Cleare 13 Colin Wier 14 Eddie (Billbob) Murphy

16 Chris (Flora) Beddow 17 Richard Cowley 18 Carl (Zig Zag) Goodey 19 Bob Copping

Manager: Graham Beckford

Match report by Eddie Murphy

The weather was lovely, which was just as well as there was a long delay before kick off because the referee was delayed in traffic because of an accident on the A14. It was only later that we discovered that the referee himself had been involved in the accident and sustained serious injuries coming off his motorcycle. We wish him a rapid and full recovery. Eventually, a Sawston stalwart stepped up to the mark and had a very fine game as referee - a view which seems to have been shared by both sides.

The game got off to a good start for the Renegades with the ball camping in the Sawston 22 for a few minutes before a nice series of passes saw Billbob cross the line in the left hand corner for the opener. (0-5). Unfortunately the position wasn't good for the conversion which didn't quite make it.

This only succeeded in shaking Sawston into life. One of their backs broke through the Renegades defence and with a fine solo run evened the score (5-5). This try remained unconverted but was joined in short order by another when one of their props intercepted a pass and ran half the length of the pitch (yes, a prop!) to score under the renegades posts (10-5). The conversion was simple (12-5).

The game settled into end-to-end moves with both teams conceding and capitalizing on mistakes. The Sawston pack was dominant giving them the upper hand in the exchanges. However, it was the Renegades who scored next with a drive up to the Sawston line. Good harrying by Ren caught one of their players on their line and Beaky ripped the ball touching down for the Renegades second try (10-12). Fabio slotted the conversion to level the game (12-12). Not content with leveling the score, Fabio was soon over the line again for his first of his two tries (12-17). He slotted over the conversion and that score line remained until half time (12-19).

The second half began with Renegades playing into the wind. However, the wind was no obstacle to Karl who caught a ball on the wing and ran it home to the left corner shortly into the half (12-24). The conversion was always a long shot into the wind from just off the touch line. Sawston, again picked themselves up and renewed their attack. It wasn't long before they were rewarded with a good drop goal from well outside the 22 (15-24). Perked up by this, Sawston increased their fluency and began stringing some decent back play which was eventually rewarded with a try under the Renegades posts which was converted (22-24).

Once again, conceding multiple scores in a row stirred the Renegades into action. A period of sustained pressure drove Sawston back into their 22 and held them there until, inevitably, Rolando crashed over to increase the lead (22-29). At some point along the way Psycho suffered a neck/shoulder injury which forced him off for the rest of the game and may put him out for a few more.

In the closing quarter, Renegades were motoring and Sawston found it increasingly difficult to reply to the pressure. The fluent handling and passing which led to the last try of the game was truly impressive (a gob-smacked Sawston supporter was heard to say: "That's how France would have done it"). Fabio was the one who touched the ball down under the posts but great credit to the eight or so players who moved the ball so beautifully (22-34). The conversion was a formality (22-36).

As always, when we were good, we were very very good and …(you know how it goes).

Quotes!

"Sawston were there to win make no doubt and our early score soon lulled us into a false sense of security. It was time to wake up and smell the coffee, it was unpleasant watching. Back to the plan and back to the painful business of winning individual and team battles where it mattered. Sawston however were also determined to win their battles. Just when we started to string a few phases or passes together carelessness, clumsiness or a crunching tackle led to a turnover. As time went on the combinations being strung together by the back row coupled with dynamic running and stout defence was enough to suppress a much improved Sawston team." Chris Beddow

Some choice comments from the Sawston write-up for your enjoyment:

… it was going to be a tough game against a good Cottenham side…
… In the end though we were over run by Cottenham who put a couple more tries on us…
… A good performance shows we can mix it with the top sides in our league…

(lovely to hear the opposition say that!)

Try

BillBob 1
Beaky 1
Fabio 2
Rolando 1
Zig Zag 1

Penalty

Fabio 3

Conversion

Drop Goal

Nominations

Player of the Match: Fabio.