Newmarket 5 – 15 Huntingdon

The match was no more than 20 seconds old when the referee called an immediate halt while several Huntingdon players removed their leggings to meet the new RFU regulations. 15 seconds later Huntingdon took the lead as a short line-out throw was taken and the try scored almost unchallenged.

Despite some good runs by Jack Watson and strong tackling by Gwilym Davies and Joe Metts, Newmarket were really struggling and quickly succumbed to two further unconverted Huntingdon tries to go 15-0 down.

It looked as if Newmarket were facing a heavy defeat but, in fact they managed to see out the remainder of the half without conceding any further points. In the second half they began to impose themselves on the game with strong running and passing between Chris Le, Aiden Cooper, Dan Bristow and Ben Jeacock. The pressure told and Cooper crashed over from a quick penalty 5 metres out from the line.

Despite maintaining the pressure for much of the half, with particularly probing runs from man of the match, Iain Moffat, playing at inside centre rather than his usual wing position, Newmarket couldn't get over the try line again.

The match finished with no further scores on either side.

Peterborough 30 - 24 Newmarket

In this second meeting of the season, the two teams continued from where they left off from the first match. Another close fought match saw Newmarket leading until the last ten minutes only for Peterborough to snatch victory.

It was the home team that opened the scoring after five minutes when they eluded the defence and ran in from near the halfway line. The strength of the Peterborough backs had already become apparent and only a fine saving tackle by Nathan Buckle prevented an earlier score. However, from the re-start Peterborough knocked on and from the scrum Chris Le drove forward, supported by Buckle and Ben Jeacock. The ball was slipped to Dan Downing who crashed over to level the score.

Back came Peterborough to restore their lead with a try in the corner despite brave covering by Ashley Reed and Jeacock. But this time it was man of the match, Iain Moffat, who, having made some crunching tackles, took the ball at inside centre and cut through the opposition to get within five metres of the line. More than close enough for the forwards to take over and for Downing to add his second try. Buckle's conversion gave Newmarket a two point lead at half time.

Peterborough's larger squad allowed them to bring on fresh legs for the second half, but the match continued to seesaw from end to end. Dan Bristow continued his fine work from the first half in stealing the ball at the breakdown and making hard yards. The Newmarket scrum was solid with Tom Wills and Charles Curtis growing in confidence and scrum-half Lewis Heap made good use of the box kick to keep Peterborough pinned back, as Toby Colletta used his speed to harass the receivers.

However, it was Peterborough who re-took the lead following a scrum under the posts. Back came Newmarket and Le returned the favour from a similar position to score under the posts at the other end. Buckle's second conversion took the away side into a 19-15 lead.

When Newmarket extended their lead following a good take and drive from the lineout by Bristow who handed on to Le to score his second, it looked as if the home team might be done. However, Newmarket were rapidly tiring and a lapse of concentration allowed Peterborough to score from a quick tap penalty. When they followed this up immediately with another short-range try they had moved a point ahead.

Newmarket did not lack effort in the last few minutes but Peterborough were able to take a quick penalty on the halfway line and their speedy fullback was too quick for tiring legs and his touchdown confirmed the home side's win.

A thoroughly entertaining game. Roll on the next contest in April when the teams meet again at Newmarket.