EIGHT TRY WELSH ENSURE RUNNERS UP SPOT FOR CAMBERLEY

CAMBERLEY 33 LONDON WELSH 57

Two matches to go and with leaders Havant three points clear Camberley needed maximum points to have any outside chance of catching them. But it was eventually not to be as renowned visitors London Welsh had arrived at Watchetts on a fine run of form.
A silence and clapping for Camberley Rugby Chair Paddy O’Meara tragically passing away on Tuesday aged just 61, preceded the start of the match.

The large attendance saw the visitors start superbly scoring in the very first minute. From a scrum on 30 meters they worked then drove forward to score an unconverted try. Eight minutes later and another score. Cam lost the ball in defence and the quick silver Welsh backs pounced to score under the posts the converted try so already 12 nil.
But Cam soon fought back. A penalty then line out on the 5 metre mark then the familiar forwards drive to see prop Nick Barry over with the score converted by Matt Smart. But in 17 minutes the Welsh were further ahead. More pressure to see them over in the left corner the score well converted to give a 19 – 7 lead. Worse followed as in 26 minutes this time the defence was again evaded for a score in the right corner. Again converted so a 26 – 7 lead for the visitors.
Then with ten minutes to the interval the first half Welsh dominance was complete. A strong Welsh attack although repelled several times could not be finally held so try number five was driven over by the forwards with an easy conversion. So 33 – 7 the interval score and Cam in real trouble.
Cam rushed to the dressing room at half time to look into steps they clearly needed to reduce the big arrears. Whatever was discussed certainly had an effect as try number two came two minutes into the second half. A good attack then Alex Hughes was over to score with the conversion by Smarty. But then Welsh increased their lead just three minutes later. They converted a penalty in front of the posts to go 36 – 14 in the lead.
With the Camberley pack growing in confidence despite the reversals they scored the third try in nine minutes. Good work to the left saw Alex Hughes over again but the touchline conversion attempt could not be gained so 19 – 36 to the visitors. But even with the forwards clicking well another loose ball saw Welsh gather and the try was under the posts the converted score giving the 43 – 19 scoreline with 25 minutes remaining.
Respectability was certainly needed by Cam being now 24 points adrift. It did start in the 22nd minute as more good forward play and the final drive saw Mac Dubaie over with the conversion by Smarty. But the narrowing of the score could not be improved upon as in 32 minutes Welsh mounted a fierce attack and despite repelling constantly by the line Cam could not finally prevent the eventual score. The well taken conversion saw the fifty points up for Welsh.
This should really have signalled the final scoring but three minutes remaining and on losing the ball in mid field Welsh easily were able to run through to score under the posts and convert to leave a 57 – 26 scoreline.
Clearly stung by this try Cam surged forward in injury time with fine forward driving seeing Mac over again for the try converted by Smarty.
The final scoreline then was a merited 57 – 33 to London Welsh. They scored eight tries converting seven and adding the penalty. For Camberley it was five tries converting four.
The point gained from the match secured second place assured in the table for Cam with Havant as confirmed winners. The last matches are on 6 April with Cam to visit C S Stages in Chiswick.

Camberley scores :- Alex Hughes (2), Mac Dubaie (2) Nick Barry (1)

Report by Neil Doody, pics by Dinger