FIVE TRY CAM TAKE SECOND HALF WIN OFF PLUCKY BECKENHAM

A good turnout of former players and regular supporters saw Camberley host Beckenham for the first time the sides have met with this match concluding the first half of the league programme.

Changes in the side saw a first start for tight head prop Josh Thundercliffe and a welcome return to the side for blind side flanker Josh Watson. The side also saw brothers Ash and Josh Wright in the backs.

Beckenham despite their lowly position have lost some matches narrowly. They certainly proved very worthy visitors playing workmanlike rugby throughout the match.

Playing on the top narrower pitch due to the very wet conditions for the main pitch after so much rain Camberley soon were ahead. An early break by full back Tom Allen led to a penalty in front of the posts after 5 minutes converted by Matt Smart. But the visitors settled in and for the next quarter of an hour despite some pressure from Cam set up sound attacks several out of defensive positions.

But then fine driving by the forwards towards the visitors line saw prop Greg Franzel driven over on the right to score an unconverted try after 23 minutes. Five minutes later and Greg was again over. More fine driving by the forwards saw him over just left of the posts. Converted by Smarty the 15 – nil score at the half hour mark looked comfortable.

But certainly not so for game visitors Beckenham. They immediately scored two tries to take them within 3 points. The first was just 2 minutes after the second Cam try with a neat move out left breaching the defence for the try this being converted. Four minutes later and a break away after a neat chip ahead led to the ball worked out to the left wing for the second score unconverted. So 15 – 12 and 6 minutes to half time.

Cam needed to respond early and so then set up two useful attacks. The first was foiled by a knock -on deep in the visitors 22. Then after 39 minutes a fine break by Tom and over well out right for the score was number eight Ryan Gregory. Smarty could not convert the wide out conversion attempt. So at the interval it was a 20 – 12 scoreline.

After the interval Beckenham were immediately on the attack and were rewarded after 5 minutes with a try by their tight head by the posts. Duly converted this left the visitors just one point behind. Spurred on by the Cam supporters the pressure was on from the hosts to widen the lead but two promising moves were thwarted by knock- ons.

Then after 21 minutes a penalty against Cam saw it converted so Beckenham then took the lead for the first time at 22 – 20. Soon regaining territory again Cam were rewarded for their attacking the Beckenham defence by a penalty award in front of the posts converted by Smarty to see the lead again but by one narrow point only.

It took just one minute for Cam to extend the slender lead they had just regained. A fine interception mid field by lock Dom Sammut saw him gallop through several defenders. After being stopped the ball was worked out left for Ash to touch down in the corner for the unconverted score. So this fourth try ensured the bonus point.

Beckenham still persevered but match control was now with Cam. With 8 minutes remaining another break by Dom led to a penalty left of the posts. Smarty converted to ensure that the scoreline at 31 – 22 would mean the visitors needed to score twice. This proved to be sufficient as with 4 minutes remaining Cam scored their fifth try. A brilliant handling move by the backs saw a second try out left for Ash and being unconverted giving a 36 – 22 scoreline.

This was to be the final score. But not before substitute tight head Nick Barry joined the galloping forward Dom by his own break through gallop to see the match end in with Cam safely in the visitors defence.

A five point win over plucky opponents who gave their all yet gained no points but the stronger finish with two tries out left ensured the win for Camberley and retaining their place among the leaders as the season first half is completed.

REPORT BY NEIL DOODY