HAVANT WIN CUP CLASSIC WITH LAST GASP WIN

The third encounter this season between the clubs with Havant winning the league and Camberley runners up. Hosts Havant were seeking their only win this campaign over Camberley who had won and then drawn the two league matches.

A big Havant attendance at their RFU pitch in fine conditions for an open match. This certainly soon looked very likely as the hosts managed to score in the first minute of the game. Havant immediately attacked and saw their flanker over by the posts the conversion seeing a seven point lead. But Cam fought back to see a good attack lead to Mac Duabie over to score and with Matt Smart converting it was 7 – 7 after 5 minutes. No settling down at all yet as three minutes later Havant after gaining a penalty on the Cam 22 scored again on the left an unconverted try so in only eight minutes play it was 12 – 7.

Then good forwards play saw the Havant line threatened by the 14th minute when prop Nick Barry barged his way over. The conversion by Smarty saw Cam take the lead at 14 – 12. The lead was stretched in 17 minutes as after a penalty then line out Mac drove over for his second try. Duly converted by Smarty gave the 21 – 12 score. Cam were almost further ahead at the quarter mark as a neat break by scrum half Max McCarthy ended with his neat chip ahead in front of the posts bouncing unfavourably. Havant immediately attacked and secured a penalty in front. Duly converted in the 22nd minute so 15 – 21.

The last 15 minutes of the half saw more attacks by Havant. They were rewarded after 30 minutes when a strong forwards series of drives could not be finally defended. The try duly converted and 22 – 21. On the stroke of half time Havant after a penalty on the 25 meters mark attacked on the right and then scored. The good conversion saw them to a 29 – 21 interval lead.

A good start in the second half for Cam rewarded in the fifth minute after two scrums from penalties near the line with Alex Hughes scoring by the posts and with Will Partington now playing at outside half converting it was 29 – 28. Ten minutes later Havant added three points with a straightforward penalty. The next 15 minutes saw both sides mount attacks. One very good break by centre Connor Hayhow ended with a knock on then Havant did the same the other end.

It was then Havant to stretch the lead after 26 minutes. They scored on the left with the conversion giving the 39 – 28 lead. Undaunted by the eleven points deficit Cam soon attacked and after a penalty then line out the ball was worked inwards to see Connor score by the posts with Will to convert – this with seven minutes remaining at 39 – 35. Two minutes remaining as Cam fended off a good Havant attack near to the line. Then as 81 minutes showed on the scoreboard
a great gather in midfield and fine moves forward and Will was over to score by the posts. Converting his own try meant it was remarkably 42 – 39 to Cam.

No let up as the final twist came right at the end. Defending on the 30 meter mark Cam were penalised and the resulting line out saw Havant gather then go over to score the deciding try. After converting for the 46 – 42 scoreline the whistle blew for the end of the match.

A classic match worthy of the Twickenham final of this Papa Johns Cup ! Each side scored six tries and Havant converted five. Camberley converted six tries but the two penalties for the hosts just saw them home by the four point margin. Someone had to lose a Match of two well balanced sides and here it was Camberley – but only just !