Improving Cam Just Too Hot for Banbury

Rugby returned to Watchetts on a glorious autumn day with the black and ambers matched against another 'first time club' - Banbury, also newly promoted to this Regional League.
During the 80 mins we saw how Cam beginning to adjust to this new level with some perfectly executed moves plus a great forward platform but also some 'brain fades' as well.
Straight after the game assistant coach Laids was right on the money when he identified 'mental approach' as probably the side's biggest work on for the next 2 weeks prior to the visit of Maidenhead.
Cam, receiving the kick off and defending the clubhouse end, produced another of their explosive starts as the exit eventually saw Cam claim a lineout on halfway and several phases later and with a clever switch in direction by Liam we saw a dart by Clarkey and another by Jos before Ed crashed over under the posts with barely 5 mins on the clock.
This 7 point lead was not to last very long as Cam were pinged straight from the restart and Banbury chose to take the 3 points.

Cam were again immediately on the attack and we soon saw TommyA, playing at 14 today take advantage of some beautiful passing to dot down in the corner and so after just 10 mins the score was 12-3.
And the tries kept coming as Cam again dealt with the restart well and when Ben Bowen collected the Banbury lineout he made good metres which took play into the Banbury 22 and a good physical charge by the ever improving Brizzle saw TommyA make progress before centre Alex was able to dot down for a score of 17-3 with less than 15 mins on the clock.

Again Cam managed to concede a pen in the danger area straight from the restart but this time the kicker pushed his attempt wide and slowly Cam moved play into the visitors half when we saw the first scrum and even at that stage it was clear that, despite clearly having a weight advantage, Banbury were no match for the black and ambers and this became more apparent during the game as they conceded numerous penalties at scrum time and became very used to retreating at pace, thanks in the main to the tremendous power and technique of the front row of Greg, Clarkey, replacement Pickle and my man of the match Bazza who absolutely 'beasted' his opponent all afternoon.

The frenetic pace of the game calmed slightly and also brain fade returned to the black and ambers who, very cleverly when in a great attacking position managed, to conjure up a perfect pass to the opposition winger who ran in from halfway to reduce the deficit to 7 points with 30 mins played.

With Cam on the attack again they managed to lose control of the ball but, fortuitously, the visitors also were not immune to conceding possession unnecessarily and we had the image of our veteran hooker Clarkey, ball in hand on the half way with an open field infront of him. So initially it looked far from promising as, with the support on his left, he chose to dart off to the right but it was clearly part of another plan as following his initial gallop he managed to retain the ball which was quickly moved out wide to exciting fullback Vic who raced through the retiring Banbury defence only to be tackled a metre or so from the whitewash allowing Jaid, commendably in support to collect the ball and touch down moving the score top 22-10 after 35 mins.
However the visitors had not read the script at this stage and again benefited from a lose pass to no one, following an attacking surge which again left the winger with a long run in bringing the score to 22-17 on half time.

The original plan for half time was for the boys to stay out on the park but following a rather messy half and the gifting of 2 tries to the visitors the coaching team clearly chose to take the side in to the security of their dressing room and away from Vimeo and any onlookers!!.

And it worked!!!

With Cam restarting towards the clubhouse a beautiful kick by Liam saw Ed leaping high to tap the ball back from the Banbury 10m and good decision making by Dom saw Pickles racing straight through a rather startled Banbury side to dot down under the posts with less than a minute played and moving the score to 29 – 17.
To their credit the visitors did battle on and several times came close to closing the gap but on every occasion the Cam D was just too good and clearly their efforts in the first half were now taking their toll with their pack really struggling and retreating at pace at each scrum and with 70 mins on the clock Liam extended the lead with a penalty goal and then, from the restart Cam moved play back to the Banbury 22 and, playing an pen advantage, we saw a great training ground move with Musa, on as a replacement, come into the line from the blindside wing and scorch over for a really well worked try and the winger was at it again just a couple of minutes later when, supporting another destructive run by Vic, he was on hand to cross for his second of the afternoon and with Liam adding the extras this was to be the final score of the game.

Overall this was another good performance by the black and ambers who seem to be gaining in confidence every game although still with too many 'silly' moments which quality sides will undoubtedly take advantage of.

As last week a fantastic performance by the pack with all 8 of them, plus the replacements, playing out of their skins for the full 80 and, at the end completely dominating a very hefty opposition who clearly found the going much too tough. A special word for Vice Captain Bazza who seems to be running on something very special as his work at the set piece plus his activities all around the park were second to none today.

With Ben B having his first start for the 1s for several seasons this was always going to be a challenge but he stuck at it well and even managed a couple of good breaks.
Liam had another good game at 10, marshalling his backs and with Alex benefiting from Jaid's good form and experience the backs looked solid particularly with the mercurial Vic at full back who clearly is enjoying his rugby after such a long break.

So we have a 'rest' weekend next week before welcoming Maidenhead to Watchetts for what will be their first visit for many years.

And Finally – well with the C&Ws again with an empty weekend it was a poor weekend for the South West clubs with the bullies from Ashton Gate being turned over by Newks (well at least Dinger was happy) and Bath and Exeter both going under we now can look forward to the C&W's visit to The Wreck next week.

Pic, by Dinger shows centre Alex Young crossing for his try