Last kick of the game sees Cam claim the 5 points.

So the black and amber supporters gathered at Watchetts for the visit of League leaders Westcombe Park perhaps a tad apprehensive following their team's recent scratchy performances but the good news was that the game would be played on the 1st team pitch meaning that the new (in November) electronic scoreboard would be used for only the second time.
Also they discovered the return of The Flying Fijian, fresh from his experiences at Cambridge, who was down to start on the bench. This bench was also of even more interest because as well as Jos we had Bazza our 20 year old prop and new signing Tio a mere 18 years old, the combined weight of the three topping 370kg ( 60 stones in old money), surely the bulkiest bench in London 1S this weekend.

So on this grey and cold afternoon we saw the visitors ko playing towards the clubhouse and although Cam initially handled the kick well, a knock on close to halfway saw the visitors gain possession and we saw their dangerous backs make good ground which eventually saw them dot down under the posts on just 7 mins.

Although Cam managed the restart well a soft penalty gave the visitors an easy shot at goal and on 10 mins had moved the score to 10-0.

Cam, at this time were having great difficulty in holding onto possession and it took some time before they could exert any pressure but at the end of the first quarter a series of great lineout drives resulting in penalties saw the visitors reduced to 14 and the black and ambers eventually took advantage of their numerical supremacy when a great miss pass saw The Flying Fijian, already on for the injured Joe Price, crash over in the corner and a magnificent kick by TommyD saw the score move to 7-10 after 22 mins.

The next quarter clearly belonged to the visitors as Cam regularly seemed to give possession away far too easily and as the half drew to a close a missed kick to touch was run back and the visitors attack was just too powerful for Cam as they conceded another converted try.

At this stage Cam were only in the game through their dominance at scrum time, their control of the lineouts and also their outstanding driving maul but on the stroke of half time a great break by Jos won a penalty and TommyD stepped up to make the score 10-17 at the break.

Again whatever Risey had to say at halftime had no impact initially as again Cam conceded soft yards by giving the ball away and a penalty was converted on 43 mins making the score 10-20 and when the visitors 'did the Cam' by running back the restart to score a try on 44 mins moving the score to 10-27 heads, at least of some supporters dropped.

Things could have got even worse as from thee restart WP played the ball forward again and it was only the alertness and pace of Ash touching down which stopped the visitors from moving out of sight.
Still the Cam scrum and lineout were dominant and it was primarily due to the huge efforts of the pack that Cam remained in the game and hopes were lifted on 55 mins when after great pressure in the red zone Ozzie Greg aka The Mole crossed for a try which was converted by TommyD making the score 17-27 after 22.

Cam then proceeded to make their struggle even tougher when they conceded a penalty and lost the Flying Fijian to the bench for 10 mins meditation and so with 15 mins left the score had moved to 22-30.

Perversely this handicap seemed to revitalise the 14 and another period of intense pressure in the WP red zone eventually saw young Tio break off the back of the driving maul and taking 3 defenders with him he crashed over for a try making the score 22-30.

So it was all to play for from the restart and it seemed that the black and ambers were able to summon up extra energy in these closing minutes despite the intensity of the previous 70 mins and again they moved into the red zone via great breaks by Ash, Brizzle and TommyD and this pressure and physicality eventually saw Dom, who had had a massive game at lock, cross for a try and so with TommyD adding the extras with just a couple of mins on the clock the majority of the home fans were relaxing in the knowledge that, in a game where they had been largely outplayed away from the scrums, lineouts and mauls, they were going to come away with 2 points.

So the restart saw the visitors move into the Cam red zone yet again and when they were awarded a penalty 5m from the Cam line they opted for a tap and go variety as scrums and lineouts were not their strongest card and despite exerting one last big push they were unable to crack the home defence and eventually the ball was turned over and play moved to halfway.

It was then that it became clear that the 15 guys in black and amber had not given up and again they managed to turn the ball over and win a pen on the visitors 10m, just to the left of the posts.

So up strolls TommyD. back for his first start this season but with a history of nailing big kicks (remember Twickenham 2018) and with most of the home supporters unable to watch he slotted the ball expertly through the posts to claim the most unlikely of results.

So the 5 points keeps everyone interested and with both sides due to visit the new league leaders Havant there could well be more twists in this story.

Another great performance by the forwards but if they are to mount a serious challenge for promotion they desperately need their mates in the backs to resume normal service starting next week.

So next week the 1s travel to Belsize Park (2.00 ko) looking to reverse the loss they suffered earlier in the season.

And Finally – back in the clubhouse with all of the screens showing that lot from Ashton Gate playing the C&Ws the boys, ably led by Brizzle ensured that I was kept up to date with every score !!! suffice it to say the boys from The Holm came second and will need to regroup for gtheir next game against The Chiefs.

The picture shows from l-r Bazza, Tio and The Flying Fijian