Cambridge Pythons defeated Essex Blades 62-0 on Sunday, achieving a second shut-out following last week’s 52-0 win over Anglia Ruskin. It was the Pythons’ biggest win since the team re-formed in 2011.

As the score suggests, Cambridge’s tight defense was the foundation for success against Essex. Defensive tackle Brendan Loftus starred, achieving 4.5 sacks and two recoveries before returning the game’s final touchdown after forcing a fumble. Hampered by their lack of pace on running plays, Essex were well marshalled by Cambridge’s run defense, and struggled to make so much as a yard for long periods of the game.

In offense, Cambridge relied on the running game that has been their main weapon all season. Against Essex they started explosively, with Joe Moore running 60 yards for a touchdown on only the second play of the game. Tipped by some for a 1,000-yard season, the lightweight running back has been in outstanding form this campaign. With his acceleration and evasiveness, Moore brings a touch of rugby style to the football field. He was to be a thorn in Essex’s side all afternoon.

The Pythons’ offense enjoyed a lot of game time during the remainder of the first quarter, which finished 20-0 after further touchdowns from Jonty Richardson (capping an eight-play drive) and Moore (this time running 55 yards). Richardson’s touchdown was converted for a further two points with a run by the scorer himself. This was the only conversion managed by the Cambridge team all afternoon, with the short game being an isolated weak spot in a generally domineering performance.

Cambridge started the second quarter weakly, but rallied quickly, switching their running game to focus on the big men. Chad Biscuit ran a 59-yard touchdown, followed almost immediately by another from Tom Carr, after a sack from defensive end Tom Piachaud and recovery from tackle Stefan Arridge gave Cambridge possession on the Essex 19-yard line. Right as the first half ended, Richardson crossed over from six yards for Pythons’ sixth touchdown, making it 38-0 at the break.

The Pythons dominated the third quarter, picking up twelve points with relative ease. Tall receiver Jaason Geerts claimed a touchdown from a Joe Yarwood pass, before Moore crossed over after a 30-yard run. The fourth quarter was probably Essex’s best, as Cambridge eased off slightly. The odd mistake began to creep in, with the defense giving away a flag for unnecessary roughness and quarterback Aki Mulay enduring a sack and an interception. However, the reliable Richardson ran across from 15 yards for the offense’s last act of the game. Perhaps the highlight of the game then followed, almost on the final whistle, as Loftus burst through the Blades’ offensive line to strip the ball from their retreating quarterback, before returning the remaining 20 yards for a classic defenseman’s touchdown.

Following a performance that can only be described as domineering, the Pythons sit second in their BUCS division, level on points with Kent and University of East Anglia. With second place sufficient to qualify for the post-season Championships, this week’s game against UEA looks set to be a crucial showdown for the Pythons’ hopes.
Most Valuable Player awards went to Moore (offense), who ran 263 yards in fifteen bursts for his three touchdowns, to Loftus (defense) and to Adrian Ball (Special Teams/Rookie) who made three important tackles.