Classy Cam Claim honours in Local Derby

So on a glorious September Saturday we saw Cam receiving the kick off playing up the slope (hill) for the first 40 and despite the proximity of the 2 clubs most of the Cam boys had never experienced playing here.
Cam fielded the kick and slowly moved play up to half way and then a delightful move saw Brizzle get the ball on half way and, like a knife through butter, he sliced the Bracknell defence to dot down in the corner and with Liam converting from wide out the black and ambers had taken a 7 point lead with barely 5 mins on the clock.
Again, from the restart Cam coolly moved play up in to the Bracknell half and a lovely kick by Liam saw the home 15 forced to find touch in his own 22.
Cam, through Dom and Sam, then turned the screw and when they won another pen Liam pushed it to within 5m. Actually the lineout did not function as in training and so the ball was played out wide but as play then came back across we saw Bazza hurtling for the line and he was able to draw the final defender before seeing Gabe touch down again in the corner. Another fabulous kick by Liam brought the score to 14 – 0 on 10 mins and Bracknell were already looking a bit shell shocked.
For the next 20 mins Cam were unable to capitalise on their possession and Bracknell showed why they were 2 and 1 with an aggressive driving maul and some good D although somewhat let down by an erratic lineout. Cam were also bossing at scrum time and regularly drove the home side backwards but really didn't get the rewards from the official that this dominance deserved. During this period Bracknell had several long spells in the Cam 22 but the black and ambers organisation was just too good and slowly Cam moved play back into the visitors half and then we saw some real training field play with great hands all over the park until, from the Bracknell 22, wide on the right first Bazza showed his real talent by brushing off the first attempt to bring him down before setting up Clarkey for his first try on his return to his former club – what a moment.
Again magic boot Liam converted from the touchline and so, after 35 mins Cam had moved into a 21pts lead.
And things were about to get worse for the home side when, following a great take from the restart by Hughsey, we saw Vic take play up to halfway where, for the first time in the game, the ball reach our Flying Fijian and he was away, swotting off would be tacklers to touch down in the corner for the bonus point try and half time.
With Cam now playing towards the clubhouse they were soon on the attack again and a sweet kick pass by Liam almost saw Gabe over for a try but the home side were truly fired up and were soon playing in the Cam 22 again and on 51 mins crossed for a well deserved try.
Unfortunately the game was becoming very 'bitty' with lots of breaks in the play due to injuries and even the official became involved when her boot appeared to split but eventually Cam found themselves again in 5m lineout territory and although the first bit went awry the ball was quickly swung out to the backs and a huge miss pass saw Gabe in for his second of the afternoon and although Liam missed adding the extras from the touch line the score was now 7-31 and despite several valiant efforts the home side, who were clearly struggling with injuries, just did not have the where with all to break down the Cam defence, while Cam clearly for the remainder of the game regularly went 'off script' which although causing the coaches nightmares in fact is sort of understandable in this sort of scenario.

So a really good result for the black and ambers against a side who, based on today, will win more games than they lose this season and trouble most sides in the league.

As for Cam, today we actually saw lots of good periods of attractive attacking rugby with both forwards and backs relishing the opportunity to run with the ball BUT as always the foundation of any good side must be the pack and today we saw an immense performance from Greg, Clarkey and Bazza in the front row while Dom and Sam were prominent in attack and defence, while BLS, Birdy and Hughsey, each in their own way are class acts. Today we saw some really aggressive defence from all tgree of them and with Hughsey often soaring high in lineouts or restarts he was always a threat with ball in hand.

Ally and Liam, playing together for only the second time are looking a good pairing in the absence of Tom (One Leg) Chennell and the 9, despite carrying a sore leg, is clearly looking to consolidate his position while Tom is away.
Our third centre partnership in 4 games worked well with Alex also finding his 1's feet, today ably guided by Brizzle who had an outstanding game.
I caught him, during the warm up, looking up the hill to the corner flag in the top corner was it fear I don't know.
Now there is always some banter with Jaid and I as of course he comes from the wrong end of the county but the sanitised version goes something like me saying 'if you get the ball on halfway you will never make that corner' – these Bristolians really are cantankerous – well done Jaid for proving me so wrong.

As to the back three we are probably blessed with one of the best combination in the league, the experience and pace of Gabe, the skills, eagerness to attack and pace of Vic and The Flying Fijian who needs 2/3 opponents to halt any progress and as yet hasn't got out of 3rd gear this season.

Finally it was really great to see Clarkey score and for the first time in my recollection actually play the full 80 – he was so pumped on his return to Lilly Hill Park.

The 2's also had a good day claiming the spoils against local rivals Farnham 14-12.
So next week we entertain Banbury, another club who will be new to Watchetts

And Finally – So after their fantastic comeback on the opening day of the season by turning a 21-0 deficit into a 29-21 win against The Pests the C&Ws travelled to The StoneX to meet a strong Sorries side and they surprised everyone, except their own supporters, as with less than 10 left on the clock they were leading by 12 points only to relax and concede 2 tries in the final minutes for a 41-39 defeat – still 2 points at StoneX is probably more than most sides will get this season.
Pic by Dinger shows Clarkey on the charge - had to be today!!!