Cambridge found itself on unfamiliar territory heading into the Coldham’s Bowl against city rivals Anglia Ruskin on Super Bowl Sunday. For the first time this season, the Pythons, with a record of 2-1, were favoured to win… by twenty-eight points, no less. In fact they substantially exceeded expectations, emerging with a 52-0 victory.

The Cambridge coaches and captains, respectful of the Ruskin Rhinos' improvements this year, reminded their players that twice this season the Pythons had punished teams who had underestimated them. They were keen not to make the same mistake themselves, particularly as they strove to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Encouraged by a band of faithful fans and the enthusiastic cheering support of the Cambridge Cougars, Cambridge won the toss and kicked off. The Pythons elected to put their defense, which was to prove mean, on the field first. ARU did not start well: they fumbled the first play from scrimmage, with the ball recovered by full blue lineman Thomas Piachaud for the men in light blue to launch their first attack.

It took only two plays for quarterback Joe Yarwood to sail a pass into the hands of Canadian wide receiver Jaason Geerts for a twenty-eight-yard touchdown. Yarwood scored a two point conversion, setting Cambridge ahead 8-0.

Cambridge’s iron curtain defensive line again held strong in the next series, forcing ARU to go three and out. Pythons then switched to ground assault, led by Alex SJ. SJ started the drive with a forty-seven yard run (a career long) and finished with a two-yard touchdown. Yarwood connected with Sebastian Funk for the two point conversion, putting Cambridge up 16-0.

The Pythons then spearheaded an eight-play drive culminating in a two-yard touchdown by Joe Moore. The two point conversion was good and Cambridge led 24-0 as the first quarter expired.

The next quarter saw ARU again fail to muster any offence, going three and out early in the spell.  They consistently struggled to gain any ground, thanks in part to the Pythons’ secondary and cornerback Samwise Thompson. After a scrappy period of play, Pythons rookie Brad Idk broke through the Rhinos defenders and raced in for a fifty-five-yard touchdown. ARU thwarted the two point conversion, leaving Cambridge up 30-0 at the end of the half.

Before returning to play, the Cambridge captain set a goal of maintaining the shutout for the second half even as many starters were replaced by substitutes. 

Ruskin found some drive in the third quarter. Their defense took the field first, and managed to sack Cambridge quarterback Aki Mulay twice in the opening drive. The Rhino offense finally found some life as well, with an opening sixteen-yard run. Cambridge responded with force, and after the Pythons defense achieved a couple of sacks and forced a turnover of possession, Cambridge wide man Jonty Richardson smashed his way to a touchdown with a fourteen yard run and completed the score with the two point conversion.  This brought Cambridge to 38-0 at the end of the third.

The onset of the fourth quarter helped Mulay find his stride, leading an eight play drive that was capped off by a twenty-five-yard dash by Idk for his second touchdown on the day. The conversion failed, leaving the Pythons ahead 44-0. As the clock started winding down, Cambridge switched their offensive line-up, putting lineman Thomas Piachaud in at quarterback. Despite heavy blitzing by the Rhinos, on third down, Piachaud somehow found Jake Kicker in the endzone for an eight-yard touchdown. Mulay threw to Carr for the conversion and the match ended 52-0.

The Pythons’ playoff hopes live on. The match was distinguished by outstanding performances from offensive MVP Joe Yarwood with a touchdown and a pair of two-point conversions, the whole Pythons defensive line, Brad Idk with two touchdowns, special teams MVP Jonty Richardson and rookie MVP Aki Mulay.

The Pythons are still welcoming new players and no experience is required. Potential players are encouraged to contact Sam Thompson: sirt2@cam.ac.uk.