With kick-off pushed back by 15 minutes due to travel disruption, it was the home side who came roaring out of the blocks, grabbing two tries to take a 12-0 lead.
Rams responded, however, a fine move ending with Tomek Pozniak touching down for an unconverted score on the right.
But the students took a stranglehold on proceedings with two more seven-pointers before the break, the Light Blues leading 26-5 at the interval.
Visitors launch ferocious fightback
Their opponents, however, bossed the second period, led by a dominant scrum in which props George Breese and 18-year-old Obi Nwachuku starred.
Ollie Hodgson was the first to cross as Rams began their fightback, Pozniak doubling up with a fine effort before replacement James Gilman touched down to further reduce the arrears.
Another substitute, Sam Boxhall, nudged his side into the lead, and with Andrew Lamb touching down and adding a trio of conversions, the visitors had scored 31 unanswered points to put themselves in command heading into the final stages.
And while Cambridge managed to grab a fifth try with the last play of an enthralling contest – the spectacle aided by the superb new 4G pitch – it was merely a consolation for the home side.
‘We played some wonderful rugby in second half’
Rams Director of Rugby Seb Reynolds was delighted with his side’s efforts, stating: “We found it a little difficult early on, playing into the wind and Cambridge were very good.
“But even then I could see we were a threat, we just weren’t taking our chances.
“However, after the break I thought we played some wonderful rugby and deserved to get the win.”
He continued: “I thought the back row were outstanding with Mikey Duda and Olly Marsh really to the fore – Max Brown at No. 8 was also very good.
“And then some of the Reading University guys caught the eye off the bench, Jacob Kite and Sam Kaminaris added power and settled in superbly on debut.
“It was a very good night.”
The Development XV’s scheduled fixture at home to Oxford University next Friday has been postponed, meaning they are next in action at Chinnor Under 23s on Wednesday, January 14.
