Ciaran no problem for Cam as they Claim another Max

So most of the week the talk at Watchetts was - would the game go ahead with Storm Ciaran wreaking havoc on the South Coast, while the rest of the talk, amongst supporters with memories of losing at Chapel Gate in Jan, was can their black and ambers bring their A game this time.
In the event, despite the Bournemouth 1st XV pitch being unplayable, the game took place on their 2nd XV track and in breezy but largely dry conditions, the supporters saw their side comfortably claim another Max to keep the pressure on leaders Havant.

The game saw Cam get proceedings underway playing into quite a stiff breeze and when the home side's defensive kick was returned, we saw great following up by Brizzle force the home side's 15 into touch inside the 22.
Although Cam won their throw they conceded a pen but were soon showing their class as Hughsey claimed their throw in and great hands by Connor, Jaid and Vic saw our skilful #15 cross under the posts for a 7 pointer with just 4 mins on the clock.
The next period saw the Cam scrum claim absolute dominance at scrum time and with the lineout working well, only a bit of poor discipline and also a few too many times when they lost possession saw Cam not able to add to their score until the end of the first quarter when, following the home side hitting the upright on 15 mins, we saw Cam again move into the Bournemouth half and they were then helped when the home side #15 overcooked a punt which went dead and resulted in a Cam scrum on the home 10m.
Winning a scrum pen Cam moved into the red zone and another pen following a 5m lineout saw Birdy opt for the scrum and a great drive and fantastic control at the base of the scrum saw Mac claim the second try of the game and a 12-0 lead.
The second quarter saw the home side take advantage of some sloppy Cam defence to score an unconverted try but the black and ambers then started to exert some real pressure on Bournemouth with breaks by Connor and also Max and eventually the strain told when a beautiful kick pass by Smarty saw our Fiery Fireman gratefully collect the ball and cross for another converted try and a 17-5 lead. Bournemouth had one more chance in the period running up to the break but their fancy short lineout ploy was well read by Cam and so another chance for the Lions was wasted.
So with Cam now playing with the elements we saw an explosive start to the third quarter with Cam running back the restart and a great break by Connor took play deep into the home 22 before releasing Vic whose exquisite dummy was an absolute joy to watch except for our Fireman who thought he was on a walk in – so try #2 for Vic and a magnificent touchline conversion by Smarty saw the tbp secured and a score of 26-5.
Again Cam ran the restart back and despite the home side winning a pen it was soon business as usual as we saw tight head Bazza screaming down the middle of the park taking the ball up to the Bournemouth 22 before setting Smurf free. Unfortunately, despite a good wind behind him the smiley hooker just couldn't outrun the defence but cleverly maintained possession until the ball was recycled to our Fireman who dotted down for his second of the afternoon.
Frankly the final 30 mins or so were probably best forgotten,. We did see Smarty and George combine for another kick pass try only for the official to call it back for offside and another certain try being called back for a fwd pass and a great 5m catch and drive try not awarded (has our Ozzie Mole lost his magic I ask). In addition the official decided to let a prop from each side have a 10min rest and Bowers was laid out by a high tackle which just resulted in a Cam scrum and with Magic Max making another of his startling breaks most of those gathered were quite pleased that they had stayed relatively dry when the official finally blew for full time.

To quote Laids (he is never very original) this was a game of 2 halves although I think it was actually a 50/30 split – with Cam playing some pretty decent stuff both up front and out wide for the first 50 before the game moved into a more random phase.

Although never perfect the first 50 saw a really powerful display by the pack with the home 8 often travelling back at pace at scrumtime and with a solid lineout platform we saw Dom and Hughsey also managing to steal some opposition ball. Again great performance from the front row, with Tony chopping anything that moved and what a sight to see Bazza and Smurf on the charge.
And how fortunate Clarkey is to be able to have Greg and new boy Spencer available when the starters get tired – a special word for Spencer, first time out, horrible conditions to throw but when he came on his arrows were pretty good and will only get better and he certainly looked lively in the loose.
And yes I am aware of the various views on some social media sites but I have still yet to see a better back 5 in the league with Sam and Dom so powerful and dominant while Hughsey, Birdey and Macca again are something really special.

As to the backs, well young Max is growing into his role as #1 scrum half and is a pleasure to watch and his partnership with Smarty is really developing with our highly talented 10 bringing the best out of him. Today we also had a new centre partnership with Razer, as ever playing his Mr Steady role and happy to feed another debutant, Connor at outside centre. And the ex Ram did not disappoint showing real quality and physicality both in attack and defence and he will certainly add a lot to the backs while the back three of Brizzle, Fireman George and my man of the match Vic again all showed that if we give them the ball they will do the business.

So next week we entertain Horsham who, despite seemingly struggling a tad since promotion, have always provided stiff opposition – so it should be another entertaining game at Watchetts next week.

And Finally – so the C&Ws came a cropper for the second week running as their 2ndXV lost to Sale away following their defeat to Sarries and although most of the fans understand Skivs attitude to resting his returning WC stars and his need to blood some of his Academy boys we all hope that he goes for his strongest available squad when we entertain 'The Unmentionables' ot Castle Grim this Friday – another 'behind the sofa night!!'

Pics by Dinger - this one shows new boy Connor on the charge