2 – Prop Harvey Woodbridge on the charge.

WITH no rugby since early January due to weather, Walden under-16’s were looking forward to the prospect of a full-blooded Cambridgeshire Cup semi-final against arch rivals Shelford.

Flying wingman Dominic Fanning.

However, it was not to be as, in the 12th minute, the referee was persuaded that the game should be abandoned due to a hardening pitch that had been played on without incident in an immediately preceding U13 fixture.

Walden were clearly the most disappointed of the two sides at this outcome having made a superb start to the game and spending the whole of the truncated match camped inside the Shelford half. Walden’s forwards, notably prop Harvey Woodbridge, flanker Ciaran Wood and No8 Rory Turtle dominated their opposition counterparts and set up the platform for the backs to run.

Centre Andrew Smith came close to the line after five minutes only to knock-on at the crucial moment, and winger Dominic Fanning had an opportunity to stretch his legs out wide.

The final play of the game saw Walden awarded a penalty in front of the posts.

Centre Andrew Smith probes forward with Matt Granger in support.

The two teams must prepare to do battle again in the re-arranged fixture next week.