Old Deer Park Proves Happy Hunting for Cam Again

So on a very grey and damp November afternoon the black and ambers arrived at Old Deer Park, venue of their memorable victory last season, to face a revived London Welsh side, whose last few results have been very promising, after what, for them, had been a fairly disappointing start to the season.
Sadly Autumn Internationals and possible transport challenges meant that the crowd was quite a lot smaller than a year ago but those who braved the conditions were entertained by two good sides standing toe to toe in a very abrasive first 40 which saw the home side shading things and leading 21-17 at the break.
However Cam, having allowed the home side to dictate things rather too much in the first period, clearly decided that perhaps Laids and Risey did know best and after the half time chat they upped their physicality both in defence and attack and also began to trust their processes and in doing so ran in 7 tries showing what a talented squad they are when they apply themselves.

With Cam playing into the breeze in the first half things got off to a promising start when, straight from the off Liam pushed play back into the Welsh half and a poor lineout by the Welsh, not the only one of the game it must be said, saw Cam in the red zone and despite some pretty solid defence, their patience was rewarded eventually when we saw #9 Ali dive over for the first try of the day on 5 mins.
However, almost straight from the restart Welsh claimed their own try when Cam first didn't claim the ball and then offered too many soft shoulders to the strong running home backs and conceded a try after 7 mins.

As we have seen in many games this season Cam then showed their class when, almost from the restart, they found themselves awarded a pen on the Welsh 22 straight in front. Rather than take the 3 points Birdy and Liam opted for the 5m lineout and everyone was relaxed when, after a couple of resets we saw Big Dom drive over for another unconverted try on 12 mins.

The next 20 mins saw the home side starting to win more collisions and their dangerous backs were constantly stretching the black and ambers defence and in that time they added 2 converted tries to their score stretching their lead to 11 points.
By this stage the Cam scrum was destroying the home pack and from yet another scrum pen Liam played the ball into the Welsh half and a series of scrums in the red zone generated a series of pens and from the last lineout drive a series of pick and goes eventually stretched the Welsh defence and when Ali spread the ball wide it was Jos, in from the blindside wing who took the pass and crossed close to posts meaning with the conversion the halftime score was 21-17.

The second half started with Cam back in the red zone and again despite some heroic defence eventually we saw young Bazza crash over for a converted try and with the extras the score had moved to 21-24 with just 5 mins of the second period played.
This was a turning point for the Welsh as this defensive set had taken its toll and they lost one of their players following a long break but when the game restarted Welsh came straight back and they managed another converted try with just 10 mins played to retake the lead.
This, however, was the last time the home side bothered the scorer as, after a period of over excited play by both sides which resulted in each side receiving a red card, Cam clearly moved up through the gears and, using their forward power they mounted a siege on the Welsh line and when the ball was eventually moved wide Hughsey claimed the score in the corner with still 20 to go.
The pen count was definitely moving in Cam's favour as the home side tired and another pen created a 5m lineout which was followed by a great drive and Birdy the touch down.
Within minutes more Welsh errors saw Cam with another attacking lineout and this time we saw the forwards show great skill when the ball was brought down the blindside and we saw veteran hooker Clarkey with an exquisitely timed pass on the 22 to let his front row buddy Bazza charge in for an excellent score.
Again another pen conceded and an overthrown lineout by the hosts saw Cam back in the hosts 22 and it was same old same old with another very physical drive with Birdy claiming his second so with 70 mins played the score had moved to 28-46 and the plucky players in red were beginning to sag noticeably and they were then truly put to the sword as we saw the best of our Fiesty Fireman as he first made a try saving tackle on half way and when Cam recovered the ball we had TommyA turning George's blues and twos on as the winger raced in from halfway for a fabulous score.

We then saw young prop Pickle, who had been a key part of Cam's set piece dominance taken out with what, in other games would have been considered a high tackle, but it had little impact as his replacement, Finn helped win yet another scrum time pen and with Liam putting play back into the Welsh 22 it was just a matter of time before Cam would score and with the ball passing through several pairs of hands including Clarkey and Bazza we again saw George making the defence look completely flatfooted as he scorched over to score and with Liam nailing the extras that was the end of any meaningful action and a final score of 58-28 to Cam with the black and ambers scoring 10 tries.

Well in the end a very convincing result following an almost stellar second half performance and as this squad matures and adjusts to playing this level of rugby every week I can't wait for the next chapter in their development.
Again this was a powerful statement from the pack who were dominant, particularly at scrum time and their pressure was responsible for 8 of the 10 tries.
The front row lead by Clarkey, playing his best rugby since he came to Cam, who has had such a positive effect on the 3 young props, Pickle, Bazza and newly signed teenager Finn with Pickle and Bazza in the form of their lives too.
With Dom and Voighty in 'the row' simply show me a better pairing in this league and the same can also be said for the back row with Birdy and Hughsey leading from the front with Ed and BLS and Hamish, who has just made it into the 1s, improving week on week.

With Ali and Liam operating well as a reliable 9 and 10 axis we also are seeing development in the centre where Brizzle seems, at last, to be taking his job more seriously and in doing so is also helping young Alex at 13, who at just 21 is clearly intent on making the shirt his own and is now so much more confident than on his debut in September and then we have our fearsome back three of Firey George, our Flying Fijian and young Vic who all have the ability to strike from anywhere on the park.

So next week we welcome another 'new' club to Watchetts with visitors Royal Wooton Bassett in round 10 of the League.

And Finally – well the C&Ws went down 27-17 away at Sale but, with 11 players on international duty not such a bad result for the youngsters – maybe a 10 team league would at least allow the Prem to be a bit of a fairer place as international weekends could be rest weeks??

Pic by Dinger - Hughsey diving over