NINE TRY CAMBERLEY SINK LOWLY HORSHAM

Lovely sunny conditions at Watchets as Camberley hosted lowly Horsham, the good looking conditions clearly appearing to favour some running rugby. Several former players and club stalwarts attended the match generously sponsored by former President Derek Olsen and his former player son Simon.

This certainly looked likely as Cam took the lead in only two minutes. A strong attack to the left saw wing George feed centre Connor Hayhow with his fine try converted by fly half Matt Smart. But discipline early lapses saw the visitors put over two penalties so in 10 minutes it was a 7 – 6 scoreline.

Cam soon hit back and four minutes later from a lineout 20 meters out number eight Mac Duaibe was over after the quickly taken penalty earned by Cam. Two minutes later and try number three was achieved. Again Mac drove forward and after some fine handling a precise kick to the left corner saw George in for the try.

It was well converted by Smarty to see 19 – 6 in 16 minutes.

The pressure continued from Cam they nearly scored again out left but were halted by a forward pass. From the scrum a Cam line out was earned but a loose pass saw Horsham break away only halted near the posts by a really fine tackle by full back Vic Hardwicke. On 32 minutes a great forwards drive after a line out and over went tight head Nick Barry. The bonus point try was converted by Smarty so a comfortable looking 26 – 6 scoreline.

But Horsham had none of this 20 point deficit as they scored two tries in seven minutes. Firstly they gathered well to see the left wing score in the left corner but no conversion. Then again after Cam defending but eventually unable to stop the prop over by the posts. So with the conversion it was 26 – 18. Then on the stroke of half time it was a third penalty to Horsham so an interval score of 26 – 21.

Clearly the 15 late first half points smarted Cam during the interval as they recovered to score in the first minute of the second half. From a line out soon after the re-start a great drive by Mac and the forwards and out went the ball to winger Jaid Wiltshire then over to score with Smarty converting. More fine handling after several meters gained by the driving Mac and in twelve minutes it was try number six. With the final pass given by Jaid Fireman George applied the final touches. Smarty converted both tries to see a comfortable 40 – 21 scoreline.

Three minutes later and the pressure again saw rewards. This time it was scrum half Max McCarthy over near the posts converted by Smarty. Then with 15 minutes

remaining up came the 50 points. More working their way deep into the visitors defence saw great handling then substitute Matt Bowers scoring under the posts. After the conversion it was 54 – 21. No surprise then to see try number nine scored on the 30 minute mark. Gathering the ball 30 metres out centre Connor’s pace saw him over for his second try and the conversion leaving the 61 – 21 scoreline.

But as in the first half final stages visitors Horsham were not finished. Spirited attacking saw a try in the corner well converted. With only minutes to go brave attacking again and another try for Horsham converted. A final scoreline of 61 – 35 so maximum points for Cam and a brave point for the five tries for Horsham.

A useful win even if play was loose from time to time by Cam. They scored nine tries with Smarty converting eight of these. They remain a point behind leaders Havant but with a 27 points differential advantage. Third placed Bracknell are s