CAMBERLEY 50 OXFORD HARLEQUINS 17

Camberley travelled for their first ever visit to Oxford Harlequins taking a strong looking side. They faced the fourth placed team who had won their first five matches then the most recent three.

Oxford kicked off in blustery conditions under floodlights on their RFU surface. But they soon were under pressure from Camberley as the pack secured an early scrum and from the resulting penalty kick to the corner followed by the line out drive over went prop Greg Franzel. But the hosts fought back after 9 minutes with an interception 30 metres out leading to a try in the corner.

Camberley soon returned to dominating the territory and were rewarded in 14 minutes with another line out after the penalty award and prop Greg was driven over again the try converted by Liam Prescott. Eight minutes later and another attack saw wing George Owen score the third try. Undeterred by these tries Oxford set up an attack leading to an unconverted score in the corner to give a 19 – 10 scoreline to Camberley in 25 minutes.

The score by the hosts set the scene for immediate attacking by Cam and at 30 minutes with a massive forwards drive over went Greg for his third try and the bonus point secured. Oxford hit back and with Camberley defence magnificently staving off a series of assaults in their line. Camberley broke away and with the 22 in sight a fine kick to the left was duly gathered by George slotting down in the corner for his second try after 30 minutes converted by Liam and the score move to 31– 10. This was the interval score.

With the kick off to Camberley starting the second half they remained in an attacking position with the reward after 3 minutes as over bulldozed right wing Josh Lewanituva. But brave Oxford hit back ten minutes later scoring after unshackling the intense pressure by breaking way to score a converted try. So at the 25 minute mark it was 36 – 17 to Camberley.

But yet again the Cam pack drove forward aided by their fine backs. So in five more minutes the pressure was on the line and over went skipper Chris Bird and with the conversion by Liam it was 43 – 17. Camberley were not finished yet as with ten minutes remaining this time with the attack set up yet again the try scorer was lock Dom Sammut with Liam converting seeing the fifty points up at 50 – 17.

The match closed with a series of well worked attacks and good handling seeking the fourth try by gallant Oxford. But no further scores as the final tally was 50 – 17.
Once more a fine Camberley win scoring 8 tries. The side was led by the consistent and outstanding pack and with the backs always pressuring the opposition. So Camberley remain in second place. They welcome Havant to Watchetts next Saturday keen to avenge the early season only loss.

Pic shows Ozzie Greg scoring the second of his tries.

Many thanks to Neil Doody for the report today