Cam suffer Those Brighton Blues Again

So on a very wet Saturday at Watchetts we had the final act of this League season with Cam needing 4 points to claim 2nd position and Brighton still needing points to avoid relegation. This was a very similar situation to that which occurred in 2019 where, at the end of the season The Blues arrived with Cam just needing a draw to qualify for the promotion play offs while Brighton needed the win. On this occasion Cam entered time added on with a 12 point advantage but 2 soft converted tries in 'overtime' saw the seasiders claim a 26-24 win and after winning the playoff they have subsequently enjoyed several years at Level 5.
With a full house at the pre match lunch things were set up for a thrilling encounter despite Cam missing several key players but in the event, those who braved the elements were subjected to a scrappy affair with the visitors working so hard for the points while a much changed 15 just could not get really move out of second gear.
The game saw Cam playing away from the clubhouse and with the slippery conditions and neither side wanting to concede points the first 15 mins saw play mostly in the middle third of the park with both sides unable to break the deadlock until on 15 mins Liam opened the scoring with abeautifully struck pen from almost halfway.
The restart kick saw young Max put in a great kick from the maul but a silly offside saw the opposition awarded a pen in the Cam 22 and an excellent break down the blindside saw the visitors take the lead with a quality try and they moved further ahead on 25 mins when they added an unconverted try.
Cam did respond on the half hour when a fine individual try saw Brizzle break back inside and his persistence saw the centre recover his neat chip to touch down in the corner and Cam eventually took the lead when serious pressure won another pen which Liam converted and the fly half added his third on 37 mins to move Cam into a 14-10 lead but the visitors, to their credit came back and in the dying seconds of the half they added a converted try from an attacking scrum to go in 17-14 ahead.

The beginning of the second half saw Cam immediately go onto the attack and they had restored their lead with a fine try by 17 year old Jese in his first game for the 1s.
Again the game moved into yet another messy phase with both sides making lots of substitutions and it was Cam who in this period showed more drive and, following a great break by Hamish the resultant ruck saw young Max cross for a try moving the score to 24-17 after 24.
The remainder of the half saw the visitors working extremely hard to earn their safety and, despite the extremely annoying and mostly completely incorrect instructions they, and the referee, were subjected from the very vocal Brighton coach, they deservedly pulled back a converted try in injury time to claim the try bonus point and with the 2 points for the draw, a well deserved escape from relegation.
Overall this was a game too far for the black and ambers who must be very proud to have achieved 3rd place following promotion this season and the squad and coaching team must take all the plaudits however these last few games have highlighted the fact that if any side wants to succeed at this level they must have serious strength in depth.

So with a week off before the round of cup games commences will give Voighty and Laids time to decide their strategy although this evening I suspect that none of the squad or coaches be bothered much by that as they enjoy their Paddy's day social. The next game on April 1st will be away at Harpenden followed by games against Shelford and Havant.

And Finally – as the C&Ws are not in action it is more than appropriate to congratulate veteran fullback TommyA for, what is claimed to be his 300th appearance today. I first met Young Tommy when he played for the 1s in the National leagues aged 17/18 (more than 20 years ago) and I remember that he, as many teenagers do had a huge problem with his timekeeping almost missing the coaches on many occasions.
However as he matured he has provided the Watchetts faithful, over the years, with many moments of individual brilliance as 'our Tommy' was not too convinced about processes etc I can probably remember a handful of times when, receiving the ball at 15, he decided to kick – no TommyA always ran often with great effect.
We will miss you Tommy - thanks for everything.
Pic by Dinger shows TommyA on his 300th 1st team game