Camberley slip up in Portsmouth wind and rain

Table toppers Camberley visited promoted and in mid table US Portsmouth on Saturday in the seventh match of the campaign.
Camberley kicked off against the elements of driving rain and wind. They immediately attacked and were soon in home territory and forward drives saw lock Ben Harrison over for the push over try after just 2 minutes the score unconverted . But USP were undaunted by the early score and pressed forward with the wind behind them and after a series of pressure attacks after 8 minutes they scored a neat try under the posts duly converted to give a 7 – 5 lead.
USP continued to use the conditions to set up opportunities but good defence by Camberley prevailed but on 16 minutes the host fly half kicked a drop goal to see a 10 – 5 margin. But both sides found the slippery ball and blustery conditions difficult yet even play saw the sides to half time with the 10 – 5 score line remaining. Camberley certainly did well against the elements to hold USP to the narrow interval lead.
The second half saw Max Fiddimore replace the injured Greg Simmons at hooker. With the continuing elements behind Camberley the second half impetus anticipated was slow to arrive. Instead USP soon were exerting pressure and in 4 minutes were rewarded by a try from a line out on the right which although not converted saw a 15 – 5 lead.
Then the control required from Camberley so expected arrived and in 8 minutes a magnificent forward drive of 20 meters saw lock Sam Voight over for the try converted by Liam Lazarus to reduce the deficit to 15 – 12. Fly half Tom Dunne then replaced Will O’Meara as Camberley pressed on in the deteriorating conditions. Two good moves from the right to the left came to nothing then winger Phil Cresswell after breaking through was stopped just short out left.
After good midfield work with number 8 Mac Duabie prominent Camberley deserved to level the scores after 25 minutes with a well taken 40 meter penalty from Tom Dunne. At 15 – 15 both sides then needed to work the conditions and endeavour to take opportunities to take the match with 15 minutes remaining.
Despite errors by both sides the USP pack held well and their solid driving led to strong pressure resulting in a penalty try awarded after 31 minutes. This was duly converted so a 22 – 15 lead for the hosts. But Camberley could then manage just one good series of moves ending in a forward pass as time ebbed away as throughout the final period most of the attacks and ball retention was by USB. They ended winners at 22 – 15 having mastered the difficult conditions more successfully than Camberley for a deserved win. Camberley take a point from the match and now prepare for a second visit to the south coast next Saturday at New Milton.

REPORT BY NEIL DOODY 14 NOVEMBER 2015