Cam crush Havant hopes and claim their Bonus

Today was always going to be a battle royal between these two sides and with Cam losing rather softly in the first round at Havant in September, things were always going to be interesting, made more 'tasty' following the Havant match report which derided the black and ambers for their lack of fitness, physicality and aggression. In the event we witnessed an extremely physical encounter between 2 sides who gave everything, but with Cam this time clearly winning the physicality challenge and also coming first in the fitness stakes the seasiders and their fans were left with making the long journey home empty handed.

To be fair the visitors put on a fantastic show of aggressive, physical rugby and on several occasions they threatened to take control of the game but this black and amber side is no walkover and despite falling behind in the first quarter they refused to be intimidated and eventually reached the break leading by 2 points thanks to a fantastic pushover try which completely destroyed the much vaunted Havant 8 with Hughsey claiming the try on 16 mins and another on 26 mins from a lineout drive this time claimed by our Ozzie Mole and this was followed by some excellent hands by the backs which saw Liam get his inside pass away before being tackled into touch leaving Brizzle the easy task of dotting down with just 5 mins to the break.

With Cam playing down towards the clubhouse in the second half some great movement in the backs involving Jos and The Fireman eventually saw Cam awarded a pen which Liam chose, this time, to kick so stretching the lead to 20-15 after just 44 mins but neither side, at this stage could claim to be in control and with Cam perhaps too willing to play rugby in their own 22 rather than in the opposition half we saw the visitors add another pen to their score and with 15 mins of the half played we were in a 2 point game.
However, perhaps as a sign that Cam were beginning to gain the upper hand, we saw an almost immediate response as Cam moved play into the Havant half and with some lovely movement in the backs eventually an exquisite kick pass by Liam saw Big Jos touch down in the corner for the tbp and with Liam converting a score of 27-18.
The game was now getting very niggly with both sides earning yellow cards and several outbreaks of hand bags between the two sides but we then saw young Max, playing his first game at 9 for Cam make a really telling break to take play deep into the Havant 22 and the resultant pen was converted by Liam pushing the score to 30-18 on 65 mins and despite valiant efforts by the visitors they just didn't seem to have a Plan B (plan A being pick and go) which was probably the biggest difference in the end between the 2 sides and with Liam kicking 2 more pens as Havant started to run out of steam it was only the black and amber fans who could be heard when the ref called full time.

So perhaps not the game for the occasional supporter but a truly magnificent effort by Cam against a very physical and aggressive side who will intimidate most sides in this league however these black and ambers are the real deal and have now created some space between second and third although I know that isn't of interest to them as they will only be looking upwards.
Again a great squad effort but a shout out for young Max who had his first start at 9 and was outstanding, has a great pass and on the break he is absolutely electric.

Next week we travel to S&E for another challenging game before we welcome Bracknell to Watchetts in the final game of the year.

Pic shows the Fireman on the break - stats etc tomorrow - sorry