Muddy Marvellous! The B’s Nick It As The Clock Goes Red.

Match Report - Neil Dethick

Cup final mornings are always special. Excitement hangs in the air, the tension is palpable and the nerves jangle. And so it was for the B Squad on Sunday having qualified for the Quins Shield final against the combined forces of Dorking and Cranleigh in a match to be played on a precipitous paddy field in Chobham.
A grey, cold and damp day met the squad as they warmed up on a field that was wetter than an otter’s pocket. Within five minutes, the mud was everywhere and even the backs, much to their chagrin, had got their boots a bit dirty!
A rousing pre-match huddle set the tone and after a disappointing performance against Farnham the previous week, the squad were resolved to play a much more cohesive game, supporting quickly and in numbers at the breakdown. And so it proved to be. Right from the kick-off Cambo secured possession and using Big Ben and Dangerous Dan to punch holes in the opposition’s defence, it was hugely gratifying to see the pack clearing out effectively and not allowing C&D any turnover ball.
It was hard going though – playing uphill on a sticky pitch meant that despite and abundance of possession, we struggled to get out of our own half. The territorial advantage eventually paid off when C&D, using their 6 foot 5 inch number 8 as a very effective battering ram, fashioned a try which went unconverted.
However, this proved to be the only score of the half and with the slope and the elements favouring Cambo, there was a positive mood as the second half kicked off. This mood was only slightly dented when Ed, Josh, Henry and for a while Tom, all went off injured. However, this lead to the introduction of Els, Ollie T, Harry J and Alex whom were all to make a big impact. Cambo continued to play well, Alex D was immaculate at the line out, James looked completely at home at fullback with strong running and equally strong tackling and Hari B demonstrated some wonderful handling skills that a centre would have been proud of, let alone a prop! Again, the game was being played in just one third of the pitch and just as C&D had done in the first half, the territorial pressure eventually paid off. Ollie T took a short pass off the base of a breakdown and travelling at his usual speed of a million mph, crashed over to open the Cambo account. Crucially, as will soon become clear, the try was converted to leave the score 5 – 7 as we entered the final quarter.
It was at this point when the drama started. In probably their only venture into the Cambo 22, C&D were awarded a penalty from a breakdown offence and were able to slot it through the posts to lead the match 8 – 7 with only a few minutes left on the clock. Straight from the restart, Cambo again were deep in the oppositions half. As the minutes ticked by, the tension grew. Fingernails were bitten, lips were chewed, the rugby Mums had gone very quiet. Time and again Cambo got into a promising position only for a knock-on or a stumble to happen. Was this to be a case of nearly but not quite? ‘Close but no cigar’? Another glorious effort only to fall at the last? Defeat by a solitary point? Silent prayers were offered. The A Squad watching on urged one last gargantuan effort from their mates but try as they might, the lads just couldn’t get close enough to the line and when the referee announced that this was to be the final play, all the effort looked to be in vain.
But wait – what? What’s the referee just said? What’s he given? OH MY DAYS - HE’S GIVEN A PENALTY TO CAMBO (for what reason nobody knows or cares). OMG – have our prayers have been answered? The penalty was on the 22, approx. 15 metres from touch – eminently kickable. And with Els on the pitch, we had a proven kicker. After a quick on-field debate about whether to go for the corner (NO, NO, NO, NO!), Els found himself lining up his kicking tee with the weight of the world on his shoulders. It all boiled down to this moment. Would all those practice kicks pay off? It would be death or glory, do or die, win or bust?
With a deep breath, Els took a look at the ball and the posts, visualizing what needed to happen. His teammates could hardly bear to took as he took one step, two steps and then a mighty ‘whumph’ as he struck the ball. And that beautiful white ovoid sailed high into the air, arcing straight and true to its destination between the posts. He had done it!!!! As the touch judges raised their flags and the referee blew the final whistle, a guttural roar erupted and the team rushed on to mob Els and celebrate a classic last kick of the match victory. Cambo 10 – 8 C&D.
A fitting climax to the cup competition which was celebrated with the presentation of the trophy to skipper Josh. C&D voted Ollie T as their man of the match but as much as Ollie and Els might take the headlines, this was a team performance – probably the most complete team performance of the season. The support play was massively improved, the set pieces were solid and reliable and given the conditions, the handling was excellent. Every player played their part.
So, well done to the B Squad – it feels good to win doesn’t it? We now have a couple of games to prepare for the A squad cup final at the Stoop – more news on this as we approach the game. The season is building to a tremendous climax so let’s keep the training purposeful and keep the momentum going.
Come on Cambo!