Faced with power, pace and precision Canterbury could find no answers to a side which moved to the top of the National 2 South table after this ten-try demolition.

Cambridge were masters of almost every area and although the city team’s courage was unquestioned it was never going to be enough.

The absence of four first choice players through injury and the consequent reshuffle dented their prospects from the start, but any line-up would have struggled against Cambridge in this mood.

As Canterbury wilted under a second half onslaught another disappointment was that many of the skills which had produced four consecutive victories now deserted them.

Cambridge’s heavyweight ball carriers were too often allowed to plough through tackles and the quick men outside them, supporting and cutting good angles, were clinical in their finishing. When Canterbury created chances – and they did – their efforts died through clumsy handling or failure to see what was on offer.

Their best moment came with the game just two minutes old when they found themselves seven points ahead.  Martyn Beaumont’s interception in midfield set up position and Ollie Best sent Aiden Moss clear for the try, which Tom Best converted.

Dawns do not, however, come as false as this one and Cambridge quickly announced themselves through their first attack where the strength of Number Eight Matt Meek set them on their way to a healthy first half lead.

Tom Best landed a penalty goal for Canterbury and hit a post with another effort, but the Cambridge warning cones were hoisted with further tries from Alex Moon, James Stokes and Albert Portsmouth, with Stokes kicking three conversions.

The storm duly arrived, started by a probing kick from fly half Gerhard Boshoff which stood up conveniently for wingman Mike Ayrton, and grew in intensity as the Cambridge pack stamped its authority on the set pieces.

A stolen lineout and then a ball taken off the head led to tries for Steve Hipwell and Stokes which took Cambridge past the 40 mark and increased Canterbury’s anxiety.

The city side also lacked the pace or awareness to put away a couple of opportunities while Cambridge, looking every inch promotion favourites, were relentless to the end. Tries from Lawrence Hutchinson, Portsmouth and Stokes and six points from the boot of Boshoff completed their impressive mission to become top dogs.

Canterbury: A.Moss (repl G.Hilton), O.Best, C.Horey, T.Best, M.Rosvall, M.Beaumont, D.Smart (repl D.Winchester), J.Green (repl I.Miljak), N.Wakefield (repl T.Rogers), A.Wake-Smith, R.Cadman (repl G.Micans), G.Micans (repl J.Shaw), S.Nixon, S.Rogers, M.Cantwell