CAMBERLEY JUST PIPPED IN CUP BY HAVANT IN CLOSE ENCOUNTER

The last of three group matches in the Papa Johns Community Cup as Camberley travelled to league rivals Havant. With Camberley winning one and losing one they faced Havant who won one then had a walk over against Harpenden. So to progress Camberley simply had to win and also keep the hosts try count to three maximum to avoid them securing the tbp.
Dry weather conditions as the match kicked off on the host’s RFU surface. It was Havant that were quick off the blocks and this early pressure bore fruit as in four minutes their left winger scored an unconverted try in the corner. This stirred Cam into action leading to total territory dominance in the next quarter. The forwards laid siege to the Havant defence resulting in with two yellow cards issued against them for illegal defence. Even with thirteen men the Havant defence held firm.
Recovering well the hosts set up their attack in the last ten minutes of the half. After a defence kick out by Camberley just kept in touch Havant set up the attack from their half and scored by the posts on the stoke of half time. The simple conversion saw an interval score of 12 – nil. The scoreline appeared harsh on the hard working Cam forwards who did everything but score in the earlier stages.
The second half saw Cam soon in their stride with a fine forwards drive thwarted on the line. But attacking again they worked the ball out left for scrum half Max McCarthy to go over after six minutes. The try was well converted by Vic Hardwicke to see then a 12-7 scoreline. Two more fine kicks to touch by fly half Vic kept Cam playing well into the hosts half. But Havant broke away after eighteen minutes this leading to a fine score by the posts by their scrum half. The conversion saw a 12 point lead at 19-7 and with 18 minutes remaining.
Almost immediately a useful grub kick saw the ball bobble towards the Havant line and a penalty award to Cam. They lost then gained back the ball from the lineout for the ever alert Hughsy to score in the corner. The try could not be converted so the scoreline 19-12. Eight minutes to go as then a fine break by the backs and a superb speedy run by fullback Ben Stevens saw him over for the try with a good conversion by Vic. So 19 – 19 and all to play for in the final stages.
Not shaken by the score levelling Havant set up an attack to the right and with four minutes remaining they scored their fourth and crucial try for the tbp. They capped it with a good conversion so now it was 26-19. Into injury time and an attack again for Cam but even with being held up on the Havant line they re-gathered the ball to see Vic over in the corner. His brave conversion attempt from way out left just passed by the right post. So a final score of 26-24 to Havant.
A fine match with both Cam forwards and backs putting in excellent performances. For the onlooker the pacey running by full back Ben was impressive in an all round team performance. Both sides were very well matched thus meriting their close one point difference second and third slots in the earlier league table.

REPORT BY NEIL DOODY
Pic by Dinger shows Brizzle and Joey looking a tad serious