Sloppy Cam Slip and Slide to Five points

With all of the recent rain, all of the pitches at Watchetts were in a pretty sorry state and the game was eventually played on the 2s pitch which to describe it as soft and in some areas boggy would be a tad generous.
So on this bright Saturday Cam entertained Thurrock who, while not in the relegation zone, were clearly looking for points while the black and ambers desperately needed a full house to stay in the promotion race.

The visitors kicked off into the bright sun and although Cam's exit worked well the ball was turned over and they conceded a penalty on 3 mins which was converted.
Things got no better for Cam when the restart kick didn't travel the requisite 10m but the resulting scrum on halfway saw the home side destroy the visiting pack and turn over the ball.
Both sides were clearly struggling with the soft pitch which made both running and kicking difficult and when Cam won a pen at the next scrum the ball was put into touch 10m from the visitors line. Despite some fiery defence the Cam lineout catch and drive was managed well and eventually was just too good for the visitors as Rissy claimed the score, his first for the club, and with Dimples adding the extras the score was 7-3 after 10 mins.
We then had a period when both sides struggled to adapt to the conditions and Cam certainly wasted a number of opportunities when vital balls were fumbled. At this stage both sides were using the kick and chase quite frequently and although Brizzle and Ash made good yards the accuracy still was missing and when Thurrock ran one kick back the chip bounced well for their winger who crashed over in the corner to retake the lead on 27 mins.
Things got even worse for the black and ambers when a poor pass saw Thurrock again attack down the left and scored their second try on 30 mins.

Cam then attempted to up their game but seemed unable to manage their possession and regularly squandered good possession until the dying minutes of the half when the ball was eventually played out wide to The Flying Turtle, who skinned his opposite number before getting his pass into Ash who despite seeming to be running in treacle made it to within a couple of meters and quick recycling saw him dot down and with Dimples adding the extras with an excellent kick, kicking was a nightmare on this pitch, the black and ambers ended the half rather fortuitously leading 14-13.

The second half, unfortunately for the home supporters continued much as the first and despite a great scrum and lineout, on 52 mins, following a period of pressure Thurrock retook the lead with a good driving maul.

The restart was not brilliant but Baggers and Brizzle ran the kick back and soon the black and ambers were in the red zone and after a series of pick and go's the ball was swung out wide for Ash to cross for his second of the afternoon and with Dimples doing his bit the score moved to 21-18 with almost 60 mins played.
However, as it had been pretty much throughout the game, Cam seemed completely incapable of creating pressure and playing in the right parts of the field and without a real solid performance by their pack the visitors would have been out of sight and so we saw yet another prolonged period with the black and ambers stuck in their 22 but on 70 mins via a couple of penalties and two good scrums and lineouts Cam found themselves back in the visitors half and quick thinking by Ash saw the centre pick up a loose ball at the ruck and steam through the centre of the visitors defence to score his third of the afternoon and again with Dimples adding the extras the score moved to 28-18.

To their credit the visitors came back almost straight from the restart, desperately looking for their bonus point try which would have also given them an lbp but probably the best defensive set we have seen from Cam this season with all 15 giving their all, saw them frustrate Thurrock who were clearly unlucky to make the return trip around the M25 with nothing from a game in which they had enjoyed so much territory and possession.

So Lady Luck smiled on the black and ambers today where a great performance by the pack was not matched by the backs who overall failed to manage the game, control the ball and play in the right areas.
Tremendous effort from the front row of Ozzie Greg, Dyl and Thunderman, supported by Dom and Lurch with the backrow of Rissy, Ryan and Voighty immense in defence and with Sean and The Warrior adding their efforts later in the game this was an outstanding performance by the pack but sadly their efforts were not backed up by the backs who, despite plenty of ball were never able to control the game, so vital in the conditions. Having said that Baggers looked sharp when he came on and hopefully did enough to win a starters shirt next week while Brizzle had a good game in attack and defence while new centre Joey is getting into the swing of things after 18 mths out.

Overall one to forget and I suspect that Risey and his coaching team will be praying that the rain holds off so that they will be able to get outside for training next week to sharpen the squad up before the visit of league leaders Westcombe Park who will, no doubt, be looking to avenge our win at theirs earlier in the season.

The 2s game against Guildford was cancelled – however a big result as they were playing for 2 league games AND a Cup tie.

And Finally – well C&Ws play in Toulouse tomorrow and need to win if they are to progress further in the European Cup – a big ask but they really have only themselves to blame having thrown away 4 points in Connacht etc. More important question is how will we manage without Cips for 8 weeks and with 6 players already selected for the 6Nations without England's squad being published, together with a massive injury list – challenges for Johan.