Cambridge RFC had visited the Arena previously in a pre-season friendly when under the reign of ex-All Black, Falcons and DMPRFC player Craig Newby, this time it was in league competition and DMPRFC were in no mood for sentiment.

For the first quarter though, Cambridge RFC battled well and were very competitive, especially in defence, where they repelled several home side attacks.

With a version of the new laws on the scrum being applied by the official, DMPRFC initially found it difficult to turn their obvious advantage in that area into possession, but once that was understood, the home side were fairly dominant with that facet of the game.

Increasingly DMPRFC took a stranglehold on the game and once the floodgates were opened, it was just going to be a matter of how long the home side could keep up the scoring and could Cambridge stay in the game long enough to mount any sort of fightback.

DMPRFC fly half Caolan RYAN was first to register, after the ball was intercepted on half way by centre Ben FRANKLAND, who set off for the visitors line.. As defenders closed in, FRANKLAND offloaded to wing Will MURRAY who's mazy run seemed to be taking him to the try line. He was cut down just short, but Caolan RYAN who was in close support, picked up and dotted down for the score wide out (5 - 0). RYAN regained his composure enough to be successful with an excellently struck conversion from a difficult angle (7 - 0).

The first score settled the home side and what followed was appreciated by the decent crowd in attendance, as DMPRFC scored 3 tries in a ten minute period before oranges.

From the restart possession was regained and home flanker Matt HEATON broke through two tackles, cleverly feeding centre Chris AULD, who progressed up to the line, before offloading to No. 8 Rory DUFF who crashed over for the score under the posts (12 - 0). RYAN converting easily (14 - 0)

Cambridge tried to respond, but but DMPRFC were in full flow.

Just prior to oranges, hooker Santi SOCINO broke through the visitors defence wide out, passing to rampaging lock Talite VAIOLETI, who took it on deep into Cambridge territory, offloading to wing Joel GILL who took a couple of defenders with him over the line whilst scoring (19 - 0).

As the whistle ended the first half, DMPRFC were certainly in the ascendancy.

This was underlined in the first minute after the break, when the home side picked up where they left off, centre Ben FRANKLAND scoring with the first play of the second half (24 - 0).

RYAN slotted a penalty as Cambridge strayed offside (27 - 0)

Cambridge were trying compete, but at this stage of the game, unfortunately they never looked like scoring.

Their cause wasn't helped when visitng lock Matthew Meek was yellow carded for a deliberate knock on as DMPRFC mounted another attack.

With the numerical advantage, the next play added to their woes, as home wing Will MURRAY piled on the agony with another try, scorching in and around under the posts (32 - 0). RYAN converting (34 - 0).

DMPRFC replacement flanker Brandon STAPLES was sin-binned for what looked like a borderline high tackle, as replacements were used by both sides in a frantic last ten minutes.

As is customary in dominant situations like these, the side in the ascendancy either kicks on and underlines their superiority by piling on the points, or relaxes into a 'job done' mentality.

Unfortunately for DMPRFC, the latter was the case, as the replacements used failed to give the impact required, giving the impetus to the away side, who to their enormous credit, fought back.

Their cause was helped when centre Ben FRANKLAND was sin-binned for exact the same offence as STAPLES, again a borderline case.

Cambridge were enjoying their best spell by now and their two late consolation tries were well deserved.

The first from wing Michael AYRTON (34 - 5), converted by replacement Jack Green (34 - 7)

Home replacement Sam ALLEN kicked a penalty (37 - 7), with the final points from hard working lock Matthew Meek, who scored at the death (37 - 12).