Cambridge edged out 36-32 by Nottingham in pursuit of first victory of new Champ Rugby season

Cambridge were agonisingly close to securing their first victory of the new Champ Rugby season on Saturday.

Craig Newby’s side headed into their home encounter against Nottingham having started the 2025/26 campaign with four straight defeats.

And despite leading 22-5 at the break, that record has now extended to five outings after the visitors rallied in the second half to run out 36-32 winners at Ellgia Fields.

Newby told the club’s website: “We actually deserved to win, I think. Rugby doesn’t care if you deserve it or not – it kicks you in the guts and holds you down when you’re down.

“We played some unreal stuff in that first half and we’ve got to keep fighting our way out of this. We took our opportunities, defended well, we were smart.

“In the second half we ended up in fight mode, damage limitation mode, so that was disappointing. But this teams all about not giving up. We’ll keep on hitting that rock until it cracks.”

Meanwhile, Nottingham head coach Craig Hammond added:” Fair play to Cambridge – they’ve got some outstanding players and they put us under some real pressure.

“We were a bit shell-shocked at half time – hence the rollicking – so I’m proud of the boys for responding and getting five points on the road like this.”

Cambridge’s five tries during the contest were scored by Rhys Fulford, Zac Nearchou, Ethan Thorne, Levi Rewet and Dan Eckersley, while Jamie Annand added two conversions and a penalty during what proved to be a losing cause.

Bottom-of-the-table Cambridge will aim to get off the mark on Saturday (8 November) when they host Richmond.