Ross Stewart calls for Cambridge to eradicate indiscipline

Target set for Darlington Mowden Park clash

Ross Stewart has set Cambridge the task of cutting out their indiscipline after rueing the issue in their 26-24 defeat to Old Albanian in National League One.

Ben Palmer put the boot in to Cambridge with two penalties to give the hosts victory, leaving the visitors with two bonus points – for finishing within seven points and scoring four tries. Stefan Liebenberg, Mike Ayrton, James Ayrton and Matt Hema were the try scorers.

So director of rugby Stewart is looking for his squad to make amends when they host Darlington Mowden Park at Volac Park this Saturday.

“Fair play to their kicker, he wasn’t missing all day,” he said.

“It was a game that we should have won, but our indiscipline cost us,” he said. “We have talked about a lot, especially in the middle of the park where we are giving teams easy yards to then catch and drive.

“It’s something we have to cut out as our defence has improved but our discipline costs us and we can’t afford to give that many penalties away in a game.

“The players have to step up and take that responsibility on board. They need to take the ownership of that as the referees are generally talking to them. We have to take control and put no doubt in the referees’ minds.

“We’re working hard on it with our defence as we have changed structurally on how we defend.

“I don’t really need to say a lot to the boys as they are feeling the same as us.”

Darlington are one place and one point beneath Cambridge in the table – having beaten them 37-12 in September – and they have been a difficult side to fathom so far.

“There are up and down,” said Stewart. “There is no rhyme or reason to their performances or results. It will be a tough one for us. I think they are better than their results which I have been shocked by as I thought they were one of the more rounded teams we have faced.”

He added: “We have to go in and be focussed on what we can improve, and the areas we can improve.

“The message is this is about us now and if we control what we do, then we will be in with a shout.

“It’s just trying to manage our own game and put ourselves in a good position.”