Palmer’s boot is the key as OAs fight on

BEN PALMER’S boot proved the difference between these two sides on a murky day as the fly-half enjoyed a 100 per cent return with two conversions and four penalties.

Cambridge will have been disappointed to go away with just two league points having scored four tries in the gathering gloom.

The visitors’ scrum disintegrated at the first three times of asking but this did not prevent Stefan Liebenberg’s trademark tap-and-go from close in.

Jack green converted but missed the second attempt after Mike Ayrton had shimmied his way over from the 22, the visitors having sorted out their tight scrum.

Cambridge No.8 Tom Nutley saw yellow for a maul infringement and Oliver Burgess pounced a minute later, Palmer adding the extras before his first penalty narrowed the gap.

But James Ayrton charged over and then Jack Daly emulated Liebenberg and Palmer’s magnificent touchline conversion tied matters at the break.

Palmer’s second penalty gave his side the lead for the first time three minutes after the restart.

But Matt Hema retookthe lead with the visitor’s bonus-point try, which Green converted.

Mistakes proliferated in the final stages but Albanian pressure increased giving Palmer good enough field position for two more crucial penalties.