Ruaridh Dawson

Ruaridh Dawson found himself reflecting on an unusual milestone after Cambridge's match at Tonbridge Juddians. "It's about time that I actually scored," the scrum-half admitted. "Someone at work actually asked me when was the last time that I scored a try. And I actually couldn't tell him when it was." Dawson crossed the line twice in the match, helping Cambridge accumulate 52 points. Yet Tonbridge Juddians managed 53, leaving the visitors empty-handed once more.

The result epitomised Cambridge's opening to the National One season: three narrow defeats yielding six points but no victories. "Three narrow defeats makes it worse in one sense," Dawson explained, "but then it's also not many games you score 52 points and you come out on the wrong end. So I think it's obvious what we need to fix in that sort of term." The scrum-half drew a clear distinction from previous campaigns. "Whereas obviously last year with it being bigger margins, those turnarounds would have to be even bigger."

Cambridge's attacking threat had been evident throughout the opening fixtures. "We got five tries in each of the first two games – and eight or nine last weekend," Dawson noted. "I think we're the second highest points scorers in National League One." The corresponding defensive record presented the challenge. "On the other side of that we're up there with the highest in terms of points conceded. So that's an area not for concern, so much as correction."

Dawson attributed the defensive difficulties partly to personnel changes. "It's a brand new team that we've got together this year, loads of new faces that are obviously still gelling together," he said. The squad's youth had also caught his attention. "I think this is the first time in my career where I'm one of the oldest, if not the oldest players. So I think that just shows you how young the team is – or how old I'm getting!"

Despite the winless start, Dawson maintained his conviction that momentum would shift. "I said it to a few of the fans that came and watched the TJ's game, when we get that first win it's going to be like a snowball effect and I guarantee that!" He emphasised the present challenge over past records. "It's not about how many games we did or didn't win last season. It's not about a massive long losing run. It's about this team, this squad, learning to grind one out."

The scrum-half's optimism rested on observable progress. "Everything's looking pretty good, everybody's supporting each other," he concluded. "And that win will come!"