Close East London Clash
The FNB Classic Clash between Cambridge and Hudson Park was indeed a close encounter of great tension, which Cambridge won 17-15 on Saturday.
The match took place in very strong windy conditions. Cambridge had the wind in their favour during the first half.
Cambridge started the match strongly and had Hudson under pressure early on. Cambridge opened their account in the eleventh minute when flank Musa Mahlasela went over after good work by the Cambridge backs. Ludwe Badiyana succeeded with the conversation to put Cambridge 7 points up.
Shortly after the restart Cambridge put Hudson under further pressure when they played the ball deep into the Hudson 22. After a successful line-out flyhalf Sandile Mantantana went over for a well worked try. The conversion was unsuccessful as Cambridge found themselves 12-0 up after just 14 minutes.
Hudson were not to be outdone as they slowly started playing themselves back into the game in the last fifteen minutes of the first half. After a series of line-outs in the Cambridge 22, Hudson prop Jason Ilhlenfeldt went over close to the left-hand side touchline for an unconverted try enabling Hudson to go into the break just seven points down knowing they would have the wind on their backs during the second half.
It was clear from the outset that Hudson wanted to keep Cambridge deep in their own half by using the boot the good effect. Cambridge however had other ideas and after working the ball up field, they used the blindside to good effect as fullback Ludwe Badiyana went in for an unconverted try to put Cambridge 17-5 ahead after just three minutes.
Hudson responded immediately and after a further three minutes a good driving maul from a line-out close to the Cambridge line saw hooker Zipho Hena close the gap as Hudson added an unconverted try to their tally.
The match then followed the all-too-familiar pattern of Hudson putting the ball deep into the Cambridge half with the boot, followed by Cambridge then slowly working their way up field only to be forced back deep into their 22.
Hudson outside centre Mihlali Boqwana finally broke the deadlock in the 30th minute with a try close to the touchline to bring Hudson to within two points as the match entered the final five minutes.
Hudson were soon back on the attack, with just one minute of play left Hudson captain Piwe Mdyesha made an excellent break and was clean through the Cambridge defence when he lost his balance and crashed to the ground just metres from the try-line, his foot going into touch. Cambridge did extremely well to win good ball from the ensuing line-out and as they had done for the majority of the second half slowly worked themselves out of danger. A penalty conceded by Hudson saw the Cambridge fullback Ludwe Badiyana put the ball into touch bringing to a close a tense and exciting game with Cambridge running our 17-15 victors.
Scorers:
For Cambridge:
Tries: Musa Mahlasela, Sandile Mantantana, Ludwe Badiyana
Con: Ludwe Badiyana
For Hudson Park:
Tries: Jason Ilhlenfeldt, Zipho Hena, Mihlali Boqwana
Teams
Hudson Park: 15 Keanon Mandean, 14 Siba Mbinda, 13 Mihlali Boqwana, 12 Oyisa Hakula, 11 Mitchell Best, 10 Bulela Sotyelelwa, 9 Lwazi Mnyute, 8 Pumelelo Tongo, 7 Piwe Mdyesha (captain), 6 Lazola Nunwana, 5 Brandon Hobbs, 4 Shane Weweje, 3 Jason Ihlenfeldt, 2 Zipho Hena, 1 Tristan Frans
Cambridge: 15 Ludwe Badiyana, 14 Lutho Magopeni, 13 Mduduzi Ntongana, 12 Siphosethu Tom, 11 Xolisa Mato, 10 Sandile Mantantana, 9 Dwaine Bowles, 8 Lusanda Badiyana (captain), 7 Musa Mahlasela, 6 Unathi Ntwasa, 5 Devon Botha, 4 Ntsika Tsotso, 3 Siphamandla Mbusi, 2 Nande Qabakai, 1 Mpumalanga Malangeni
Coaches: Tony Koch, Marcelle van der Walt
By Tim Stirk
Results Down the Years
1977: Cambridge won 13-6
1978: Cambridge won 33-0
1979: Cambridge won 23-4
1980: Cambridge won 11-3
1981: Draw 0-0
1982: Cambridge won 6-3
1983: Draw 3-3
1984: Cambridge won 24-3
1985: Cambridge won 3-0 and 11-3
1986: Cambridge won 26-3
1987: Cambridge won 4-3
1988: Cambridge won 3-0
1989: Cambridge won 11-0
1990: Hudson Park won 12-7 and Cambridge won 9-0
1991: Cambridge won 12-9
1992: Hudson Park won 51-0
1993: Hudson Park won 10-7
1994: Hudson Park won 11-8 and Cambridge won 13-3
1995: Hudson Park won 11-8 and Cambridge won 13-3
1996: Cambridge won 12-0 and 24-16
1997: Cambridge won 22-7 and 19-10
1998: Hudson Park won 29-8 and 15-5
1999: Hudson Park won 20-7 and 20-0
2000: Cambridge won 19-10 and drew 3-3
2001: Cambridge won 15-10 and 26-15
2002: Hudson Park won 20-5 and 22-6
2003: Hudson Park won 31-0 and Cambridge won 17-10
2004: Hudson Park won 20-10 and 28-0
2005: Hudson Park won 25-15 and 13-6
2006: Hudson Park won 13-11 and Cambridge won 16-8
2007: Hudson Park won 15-10 and 40-12
2008: Hudson Park won 24-8 and Cambridge won 13-8
2009: Cambridge won 7-3 and 16-12
2010: Hudson Park won 25-0 and 27-17
2011: Hudson Park won 52-7 and 34-3
2012: Hudson Park won 14-12 and Cambridge won 20-12
2013: Hudson Park won 32-23 and 26-12
2014: Cambridge won 17-15 and 17-15