Cambridge 41 Bradford & Bingley 17

Although Bradford & Bing-ley dominated the second half, they were completely undone by a wretched first half hour where they allow-ed the hosts to run in five tries.

The Bees were forced to field an unfamiliar backline, with skipper Tom Rhodes succumbing to flu on the morning of the match, and only three of them playing in their preferred position.

As the visitors struggled to get into the game, it seemed everything the home side tried reaped dividends as even the most speculative of passes went to hand and every dummy that was sold found a buyer in the Bees defence.

The Bees won a penalty in the fifth minute and Marcus Dracup slotted over the penalty, but two tries in rapid succession from the home side completely changed the complexion of the game.

First on the scoresheet was hooker Sam Hoad, who got on the end of a sweeping move to the right of the posts, followed within three minutes by Tom Orton, who took advantage of a misalignment in the Bees backs to gallop in at the left- hand corner.

The shell-shocked Bees could do nothing to keep out Chris Lombaard in the 26th minute, who ran in left of the uprights.

Ahead 17-3, Cambridge's superiority was further underlined when full back Ian McInroy had an easy run in following another fine handling move up the right touchline.

No sooner had the visitors trotted out from behind the posts than they found themselves watching Dafydd Lewis' conversion of an Andy Philips score falling short of the sticks.

Fortunately for the Bees, something stirred in their ranks and, in the five minutes leading up to half-time, Barry Clark jogged in unopposed following a Dracup break, and debutant Ryan Wetherall ploughed over, both converted by Dracup.

The Bees opened the second period in belligerent style but within two minutes had let two glorious chances go begging.

The clereast chance fell to scrum half Dave McCormack, who saw the ball slip from his grasp as he hit the line.

Indeed the home side probably only got the ball in the Bees 22 twice in the second period, yet managed to score on both occasions.

First to cross was Phil Reed in the 65th minute, then right on full-time a Phil Greaves clearance kick was charged down to make it 41-17.