Cambridge Rugby Club record thumping win over Leeds Tykes in potential pivotal weekend of National League 1 action

There was another twist in the National League 1 title race on Saturday – one that has now put Cambridge in control of their own destiny.

Richie Williams’ side went into their home clash against Leeds Tykes sitting third in the table, 10 points adrift of league-leading Rams and four behind second-placed Sale, both of whom have played a game more.

However, after turning on the style to beat the visiting Tykes 75-10 at Volac Park, upon their return to the dressing room Cambridge will have learned that Sale had defeated Rams 35-12.

As a result, Williams’ men now trail the table toppers by five points (and Sale still by four), meaning that were each of the three teams in contention at the summit to win their remaining fixtures and pick up maximum points along the way, Cambridge would be crowned champions by virtue of the fact that they have drawn one game to Rams’ none.

Speaking on the Richie and Jacko Podcast after the 10-try demolition of Leeds, which confirmed the visitors’ relegation, director of rugby Williams said of the battle for top spot: “That’s our sole focus. We don’t need to waste any of our energy or worry about any other team around us.

“We’re clear what we have to do and that will be our focus going into the last month.”

The division’s top try scorers – Kwaku Asiedu and Ben Brownlie – both ran in hat-tricks against Leeds.

Asiedu’s trio haul took his try tally for the campaign to 27 and also moved him up to sixth in the leading points scorers list with 135. As for Brownlie, he has dotted down on 23 occasions, leaving him one clear of Cinderford’s Nathan Taylor in third.

Cambridge’s other tries came courtesy of Anthony Maka (2), Tom Hoppe and Willie Priestley.

Reflecting on the performance of his players, Williams added: “We’re chuffed with that. To score 70 points against any team in this league is a massive achievement.

“We spoke on Thursday about enjoying each other’s company and enjoying every opportunity that we get to play. That was our penultimate (home) game today and anybody that watched that game will have seen players with smiles on their faces expressing themselves.

“But that came as a direct result of the front five and the power that they asserted into the game. The set piece probably more than the scrum today allowed us to play and then to score 10 tries off the back of that was a fantastic achievement.

“It’s been a bit of an edgy week. In training there was a little bit of niggle and I think the players realise we’re in a real fight at the end of the season.

“But all we asked today is that they were clinical, they were ruthless and they enjoyed themselves and I think we can tick those three boxes.”

The league now takes a break until Saturday, April 15 when Cambridge will return to action at bottom-of-the-table Hull.

On the same day Sale travel to Rosslyn Park and Rams play host to Cinderford.